Outgoing White House cyber director, Harry Coker, has emphasized three crucial steps to counter the escalating threat of cyberattacks: increased budget allocation, reduced regulation, and a shift towards skills-based hiring in the cybersecurity sector.

Coker stressed the importance of prioritizing cybersecurity in federal budgets, recognizing the financial constraints but highlighting the critical nature of digital security in the face of persistent threats from nations like Iran, China, and Russia. He advocated for this prioritization regardless of the administration in power.

Coker also criticized excessive federal regulations, stating that cybersecurity professionals dedicate a significant portion of their time, sometimes up to 50%, to compliance instead of focusing on threat prevention. He mentioned bipartisan efforts to streamline these regulations and encouraged the next administration and Congress to continue this work.

Coker's call to action comes in the wake of several significant cyberattacks attributed to China, including the Salt Typhoon attack, which compromised major US telecommunications companies and accessed sensitive information. This attack exposed private communications of Americans, including government officials, and revealed insights into US counterintelligence efforts.

China was also implicated in a major breach of the Treasury Department, accessing unclassified data and employee workstations. Earlier incidents included the interception of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's communications and targeting of State Department and Congressional officials.

Addressing the cybersecurity workforce shortage, with nearly 500,000 unfilled positions nationwide, Coker advocated for prioritizing skills over college degrees in federal hiring. He emphasized that removing the four-year degree requirement would broaden the talent pool and offer opportunities to individuals who may not have the resources or time for a traditional college education.