Creativity is the New Cyber Edge: When Rigour Meets Wonder with Vannessa van Beek
Corinium’s Conference Director, Maddie Abe, spoke with Vannessa Van Beek who recently spoke at CISO Sydney and is set to speak at CISO Perth to discuss how to foster creativity within cyber security teams.
Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and so must our approaches to defending against them. That’s why innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s essential.
Why Innovation?
Fortescue’s new Global CISO, Vannessa van Beek emphasises the critical need for cyber security leaders to embrace innovation due to the rapidly evolving landscape influenced by AI and other technological advancements.
"We're now stepping into a different world… the information age, the digital age, or what might be the artificial intelligence age."
She references a study by the World Economic Forum, which highlighted the changing landscape of work and the essential skills needed for the future.
“The skills we need in the future are different from those we might have needed in the past. In the years following COVID, we required many skills related to executing projects and similar tasks, which were crucial at the time. However, now that we are beyond the immediate post-COVID period, I believe that, given the changes brought by AI, what we need most in the workplace is a greater focus on innovation in our thinking.”
“I think it’s especially critical today. Right now, AI is being adopted by attackers faster than defenders. That means we need to pause and rethink how we work, recognising that the world around us has changed.”
Reflecting on the work we do in cyber security, Van Beek says, “It requires critical thinking, complex problem-solving, analytical thinking, and creative thinking. This got me thinking…how can we be more creative in how we approach our work?”
Making Space for Innovation
Innovation isn’t just about ideas– it’s about culture. As everyone knows, fostering innovation in the workplace doesn’t just happen on its own. We need to make room for it, as the current pace of work does not naturally foster it, leading to burnout for many. So how can we maintain our workload while also driving innovation?
“There’s this idea that innovation happens at the intersection of different disciplines. We take ideas from one field, combine them with ideas from another, and through collaboration, new insights emerge. Maybe that means bringing engineers and designers together. Or pairing psychologists with organisational strategists and operations teams to create something new. That’s how breakthroughs happen, and that’s the kind of thinking we need in cyber security.”
Building a culture of innovation starts with creating a psychologically safe environment—one that encourages curiosity and exploration.
“Organisations can foster this by promoting open-ended questioning, such as ‘What if?’ and ‘I wonder?’ These types of questions help map out new ways of thinking and uncover novel approaches to detecting threats.”
She also highlights the need for balancing rigour and wonder in cyber security work, allowing space for both structured processes and creative exploration.
“Can we become hybrid thinkers—people who ask big, blue-sky questions about technology while also complying with regulations and applying the discipline needed to find real solutions? If we can, that’s where innovation in cyber security will truly take off.”
A truly innovative culture normalises the creative struggle, viewing failures as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.
“It’s about making it safe to fail, to experiment, to ask for help, and to bring people together when something feels bigger than what one person can handle. And it also means allowing time for deep thinking—actually stepping away from the computer, looking at the horizon, going for a walk, and having unstructured time to let ideas form.”
Where to Start?
During her talk at CISO Sydney, Van Beek mentioned specific activities and techniques to boost creativity. Simple strategies like staying hydrated, taking breaks, and engaging in physical activities can boost creativity and decision-making.
One of her key messages is that our brain is one of the most powerful personal assets we have, and we need to look after it.
“Our brain is 73% water, and if it’s even 2% dehydrated, our performance is impacted. It’s such an easy thing to fix, yet when people are stressed—like during an incident response—they often forget to drink water. So just having someone ask, ‘Can I get you a drink?’ or making sure there’s a fridge stocked with not just water but juices, milk drinks, even a Milo or a Coke, can make a real difference.”
We all know how difficult it can be to take breaks, step away from screens, and engage with nature. Van Beek highlights that exposure to green spaces (parks) and blue spaces (lakes, oceans) plays a crucial role in cognitive resets and mental clarity.
So, what is one thing we can start doing today to boost creativity?
“Slow down. We work in such a fast-paced, high-stress environment, especially in cyber security, where teams are always on high alert…When we actively step away from working on the problem, the brain relaxes and does some of its most brilliant work.”
She also challenges us to think about how AI can help us free up time and how we should use that time wisely.
“Don’t just fill it with more work—use it to move. If AI summarises a meeting and saves you 10 minutes, take that time for a break. Go for a walk, stretch, or do something physical. See what happens when you give your brain that space—you might be surprised by the ideas that come to you. And when those ideas strike, capture them. Write them down, call a friend, or record a quick voice note. Those moments of insight are gold.”
Hope this conversation sparked some new ideas. Remember: Stay curious, take breaks, and don’t forget to hydrate—your best ideas might hit when you least expect them.
If you found this valuable, join us at CISO Perth 2025 taking place on 1st April at Perth Convention Centre.
If you would like to share your experience and insights at the event, feel free to reach out to Maddie Abe.
