Interview transcript

Terry Gerton You have had an amazing career, really, multi-sector, across all kinds of dimensions and a focus on cyber security. What drew you into public administration and the public space?

Diana Burley I really wanted to make sure that technology and technology changes worked for all people. And so, you know, I often tell a story about my grandmother and me being excited and telling her about some new innovation that was going to happen on the World Wide Web back in the ’90s. And she just looked at me like, that’s not… exciting, and what about the people that I’m going to speak with, you know, that I won’t get to speak with anymore and the stories that I won’t hear in the community. And that’s really what struck me is that as we think about all the wonderful things that technology can do to make our lives more efficient, and in many ways, better. We cannot forget about the people and making sure that as we implement these new technologies, we are doing it in a responsible way.

Terry Gerton It’s kind of hard to even imagine, if you look back, the massive change in our lives as a result of technology. How have you kept yourself on the cutting edge of policy and talent?

Diana Burley I read a lot. I read lot, I listen a lot to podcasts and radio stations and interviews and I engage with the community. I think that in cybersecurity, especially when I would talk to my students, I made sure that they understood that this is not a career space where you can learn it and then go do it and forget about learning. It is truly an example of a space where you have to be continuously learning and engaging. And be excited about that. And so that’s what I do.

Terry Gerton As you think about your career, it’s full of recognitions and accomplishments and impact. Is there one thing maybe that stands out that you’re most proud of or a place where you think you really had an impact?

Diana Burley You know, every now and then, I will hear from a former student or even a former student that I didn’t actually teach but that saw me speak somewhere, or that heard me give advice to someone, and they’ll reach out just out of the blue and thank me or tell me something about their careers and really that is the greatest feeling — to know that you have positively impacted someone and help them to continue to grow.

Terry Gerton And in the technology space, there’s a lot of talk these days that technology has a real responsibility in terms of our lack of trust or our loss of trust in institutions. As you’re a new fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, how do you see the role right now for public administration and public institutions in rebuilding that trust?

Diana Burley Well, public institutions have a significant responsibility. It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that the work that we are doing is done in a transparent way and in a way that the communities and the citizens that we’re working to serve are able to not just hear the end, not just understand the decision or see or deal with the decision, but actually understand the process. And have an opportunity to engage in that process.

Terry Gerton Well, you’re certainly in a position where you have an impact on that leading research at the Brookings Institution. Are there particular policies or approaches that you would recommend, especially in the cybersecurity space, to help build that trust back?

Diana Burley It’s really all about transparency. I mean, that really is not just the practice that I think is important, but it’s also what I believe should be the core of the policy solutions, is making sure that people understand the rules of the road, how data was incorporated into the systems, how their data is being used, really making sure that individuals have some sense of agency and ownership over their own personal selves. We used to just think about agency over our physical selves, but now we have to believe that it is also important for us to have agency over digital selves. And that to me is the most important thing, regardless of who the people are.

Terry Gerton I’m speaking with Dr. Diana Burley. She’s the senior vice president of research at the Brookings Institution and a newly elected fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Diana, becoming a NAPA fellow is a big milestone. It’s sort of a culminating credit to your career. What does it mean to you personally to be inducted into that organization? It feels good to know.

Diana Burley That my work is being recognized for the impact. Napa Fellows and there are so many just extraordinary members of the Napa Academy, their work has made a difference and their work continues to make a difference. And that has always been my goal is to make sure that the work that I was doing had an impact, positive impact on someone’s life. And so this recognition helps me to just know that that is true even in some.

Terry Gerton The Academy’s got its fingers in lots of different pies and it’s a cross-sector community. How are you hoping to be engaged with the work that NAPA has ongoing?

Diana Burley I’m going to continue doing what I do onto digital transformation and thinking about how technology can help us serve the public better and help us be more efficient in the ways that we conduct our work. And so I am going to engage with the Academy in those spaces and just make sure that I’m bringing the best of.

Terry Gerton Of what I know to the work. One of Napa’s big focuses is on building the next generation of public servants. If you were chatting with a young person today who was still considering a future in public service, what advice would you have for them? Come join us.

Diana Burley You know, public service is so important. It really is the backbone of our democracy. The individuals who work in these public spaces, they don’t do it for accolades. They don’t it for lots of money. They do it because they believe in making our society work and in helping each other. And so I do believe that it’s not just a mission, it’s a calling. And I would encourage every young person to take advantage of the opportunity.

Terry Gerton They have it. Any particular guidance for folks who might think about a career in cybersecurity? Be willing to keep learning.

Diana Burley You have to read constantly, learn constantly, engage with people. And if you do that, you will be able to continue to move forward in cybersecurity.

The post A new honor for a leader who’s shaped cybersecurity policy and talent across sectors first appeared on Federal News Network.