As the Critical Infrastructure Resilience Practice Lead at Thales Australia, Zoe Thompson’s work directly protects the systems that underpin our everyday lives, from power grids to ports. Her experience shows that bringing greater diversity of people and thought to a problem is key to unlocking innovative approaches.
“Critical infrastructure attacks affect everyone, and their impact on vulnerable parts of the community can be even greater. To build true resilience, we need to think about those impacts across the whole community. What I’ve found is that when you take an inclusive approach, you discover solutions you hadn’t expected. It proves that having one dominant way of thinking is limiting. Great outcomes come when we bring everyone and everything we’ve got to the problem.”
The power of visibility
The conversation around gender equity in tech often focuses on imbalance but Zoe shines a light on something deeper: a long-standing lack of visibility.
“There’s a persistent narrative that women haven’t been part of cyber or space. But we have. We’ve contributed significantly, it’s just that our stories haven’t been told,” she says.
For Zoe, the challenge isn’t just getting more women into the field, it’s about making sure the women already there are recognised, celebrated, and visible. That visibility not only inspires future talent but also expands the way the industry approaches complex global challenges.
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Thales and the value of unconventional talent
Zoe didn’t follow a traditional path into cyber security. But Thales saw what others might have missed: her unique background and national security insights were strengths, not outliers.
“I felt very seen when I was recruited. It meant a great deal to be valued for what I could add to the conversation on cyber from a critical infrastructure perspective.”
By welcoming different perspectives, Thales has tapped into game-changing expertise. This approach reflects their belief that inclusion isn’t just about who joins the table, it’s about valuing the unconventional experiences and career pivots that spark innovation.
It’s a mindset that has tangible results: Zoe’s team today is majority women, including those from technical and engineering backgrounds, directly challenging assumptions about what a “typical” cyber team looks like. And with mentoring, free resources, and an open community, Zoe says the door is wide open for anyone ready to step in.
“If you have the interest or passion, there is so much available for free online and the community is open to mentoring. Declare your interest, find a way to engage, the rest will come.”
Rethinking what belonging looks like
Zoe’s journey isn’t just inspiring, it’s instructive. It proves that women have always belonged in cyber security. What’s needed now is for more employers to recognise their contributions and for more women to see themselves in these careers.
If you’ve ever questioned whether your background is “right” for a role in tech or cyber, take it from Zoe: different is powerful.
