Ossoff shows off Georgia Cyber Center to White House key adviser

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff on Monday hosted National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr. at the Georgia Cyber Center in Augusta, where they met with key cybersecurity leaders.

The visit highlighted Augusta’s role in cybersecurity in both the public and private sectors.

Coker, who advises the president on cybersecurity policy and strategy, visited to understand the investment being made in Augusta’s future as a national cybersecurity capital.

Ossoff’s big message was highlighting the importance of elevating Augusta as a national cybersecurity hub.

”Cybersecurity means defending the nation, defending our schools, our hospitals, our political infrastructure, and it also means economic opportunity for people in Augusta,” said Ossoff.

Ossoff and Coker discussed the importance of collaboration between the federal government and cybersecurity experts here in building a strong cybersecurity workforce and protecting national security assets from cyber threats.

Ossoff outlined how he plans to make this happen.

He noted that he delivered $163 million through the bipartisan government funding package to help renovate, upgrade, and expand Fort Eisenhower’s Cyber Center of Excellence, which provides training to cyber, electronic warfare, and signal professionals in the U.S. Army.

He also pointed out that Augusta was designated as a National Workforce Hub and a National Tech Hub, highlighting the region’s vital role in cybersecurity and workforce development.

Ossoff said this means wealth creation and good-paying jobs in the CSRA.

“One out of every 20 jobs recently in the United States that was open was in cybersecurity,” said Ossoff. “These jobs pay six figures in many cases. These are stable. long-term careers. We want folks here in Augusta to be able to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Coker also discussed the future of cybersecurity within the state.

“The Biden Harris istration is investing in training and connecting the people of Augusta and CSRA to the jobs created by the President’s investing in America agenda. The federal government is providing billions of dollars to build up the country’s infrastructure to meet the challenges of our increasingly digital world,” said Coker.

That means $2.7 billion was given to Georgia to provide affordable, reliable high-speed internet.

$950 million was given to accelerate the deployment of clean energy, clean buildings, and clean manufacturing.

$178 million was awarded to Science Co. to build a new facility to manufacture important components of electric vehicle batteries.

Coker also highlighted the importance of Augusta University and Augusta Technical College in their role in cybersecurity.

“I was happy to learn that students at Augusta University and Augusta Technical College have access to hands-on learning opportunities and that these opportunities extended programs for K-12 students and teachers, as well as cybersecurity training for our veterans and military spouses. This center is uniquely positioned to create innovative pathways that connect everyone in the CSRA to good-paying, purposeful careers in cybersecurity,” he said.

Coker said it’s all part of an investment in Augusta’s cybersecurity future.

“Here in Georgia, there are almost 15,000 open cyber jobs to meet this cyber workforce challenge. We know that the best solutions come not solely from Washington, but from innovative partnerships, and ideas and communities like yours,” said Coker.

Last November, during his nomination hearing before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Coker committed to Ossoff to visiting Augusta once confirmed and working with him to Augusta’s leading role in cyber.

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