INTERVIEW WITH OUR COO, VICKI GARDENER

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POSTED ON 08-November-24

Meet Dr. Vicki Gardiner, the Chief Operating Officer of the Canberra Cyber Hub. With a rich background that blends scientific expertise and leadership, Vicki is dedicated to storytelling and fostering inclusivity within the tech industry. In this interview, Vicki shares her unique journey into cyber security, her vision for the Canberra Cyber Hub, and the collaborative spirit she finds within the industry. Let’s learn a little more about Vicki!

 

Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your passions and what drives you?

Before joining the Cyber Hub, I served as the ACS Canberra Manager, where I proudly delivered a Skills Canberra-supported program to help women transition into ICT careers. I’m a passionate advocate for STEMwhich also inspired me to pursue and earn a PhD in chemistry. And while you can take the girl out of chemistry, you can’t take the chemistry out of the girl… so I had the honor of being the inaugural President and Chair of Commonwealth Chemistry, an international federation of chemical sciences societies. Helping to establish this organisation, which promotes diversity in chemical research and provides opportunities for early-career researchers from developing countries, is an experience I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

Can you share a bit about your career background and what led you to the role you now have with the Canberra Cyber Hub?

People always ask me how a chemist moves into the tech sector, and now into cyber security. I am a STEM tragic, and STEM is a recurring theme throughout my career. While there was never any career planning, my opportunities have resulted in a broad understanding of the issues that affect the Canberra cyber ecosystem, but more importantly, an enthusiasm for telling people’s stories and a passion for building the capability for economic and community growth.

How have your previous positions/skills assisted in moving to this new role?

I started off on the academic pathway until the funding ran out. My foray into the public service (albeit only a short period), exposed me to the challenges companies face in commercialising innovation, along with the focus and processes of government. This experience attracted me to the lab where I worked for a small organisation extracting compounds from seaweeds for various markets. I ended up being their operations manager which oversaw both manufacturing and product development activities while throwing in some business development and public relations for good measure.  Needless to say, this brought all the challenges you’d expect with managing multiple diverse stakeholders. Nowadays I consider myself an association professional, having been heavily involved in my own professional association for 30 years (Royal Australian Chemical Institute), and having worked for Engineers Australia and the Australian Computer Society.

What excites you most about working with the Canberra Cyber Hub and the cyber security industry?

The cyber security industry is so young, having personally come from a profession that is centuries old. The way that cyber security is impacting on society is still only being realised yet everyone working in the sector is so forward thinking and community minded. I am excited to be working with likeminded people that all want the sector to succeed and make a safe community.

What is one thing you are looking forward to achieving with Canberra Cyber Hub?

One thing I love to do is to connect people. The purpose of the Canberra Cyber Hub is to advance the cyber ecosystem in Australia, particularly in Canberra, and this is done through activities that bring together people. I am really pleased to have the opportunity to bring together my experiences and passion of making a difference.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in cyber security, especially if they come from a different industry?

Take me as an example! I have a PhD in synthetic chemistry which has nothing to do with cyber security. The one thing that I have learned over my career is that you are not defined by what you studied or your career path to date. If you have the capacity and the drive to learn, it is all your other human skills that will allow you to move into a new career like cyber security. If you are considering this, start building your network of professionals in the area so you can understand the pathway needed to get to the role you want. Remember, it is a journey, but this sector has plenty of people willing to help guide you.

(Also, don’t forget to join in Canberra Cyber Hub activities and to sign up for the newsletter to hear what is happening in the sector!).

What’s something about Canberra Cyber Hub or the cyber industry that surprised you since joining?

This might not be surprising, but what I love about the Canberra Cyber Hub and the cyber sector in Canberra is its collaborative nature. No matter who they are, everyone comes together with the intent of rising the tide so all ships and boats can float.