Reuters seeks a cybersecurity correspondent in San Francisco

Reuters News is looking for an experienced and ambitious Cybersecurity Correspondent (Level 1 Journalist) in San Francisco.

The successful candidate will have a track record of breaking news on the biggest data breaches, ransomware campaigns and the criminal organizations behind them. Hacking was once a concern mainly for computer professionals, but in recent years it has emerged as a major national security and law enforcement issue affecting governments, businesses and consumers around the globe. Numerous nation-states now employ hacking armies for espionage, occasional sabotage, and in some cases for profit. Criminal gangs are driving an epidemic of ransomware globally. With defensive measures lagging far beyond offensive strategies, the cybersecurity crisis is likely to be with us for some time.

The cybersecurity correspondent will report on major hacking incidents, with the aim of understanding how the attacks were carried out, who is behind them, what damage was done, whether defenses were adequate and how the victims and others responded. The correspondent will also work on deeper investigations of different aspects of cybersecurity, shedding light on a world that mostly operates in the shadows and tracking the evolving policy response by governments. The role is based in the U.S. and will have a special focus on developments there, but the story is global and the correspondent will frequently be involved in stories outside the region. The position involves intensive day-to-day collaboration with cyber team colleagues in Washington and London, and frequent work with non-specialist correspondents in bureaus around the world.

Cybersecurity reporting presents unique challenges due to the highly secretive nature of the field and the shadowy characters involved. By the same token, it can be richly rewarding, with many opportunities for the kind of high-impact journalism that the Reuters cyber team has delivered consistently in recent years.

About the Role

In this opportunity as Cybersecurity Correspondent (Level 1 Journalist), you will:

• Develop a diverse range of sources that lead to scoops
• Break exclusive news that rivals must follow
• Lead and/or reinforce coverage of major news
• Report aggressively to hold companies, regulators and law enforcement accountable
• Write deeply-reported, standback stories on cybersecurity
• Demonstrate beat expertise and dominance
• Work with a global team of experienced reporters and editors writing about cybersecurity across the United States, Europe and Asia

About You

You’re a fit for the role of Cybersecurity Correspondent (Level 1 Journalist) if your background includes:

• At least five years of journalism experience.
• The ability to write quickly and accurately under deadline pressure.
• Comfort with and aptitude for technology, as the beat involves highly technical topics and some of the reporting techniques require technical skills.
• A track record on the cyber beat and an existing source network are desirable.
• Strong inter-personal skills and the ability to work closely with a variety of collaborators.
• Outstanding written English is essential.  Proficiency in Chinese or Russian would be assets.

To apply, go here.