Joyce Rodriguez
“No organization, no structure, no process is ever perfect. Have the courage to see the cracks and the will to make it better.”
Joyce is an IT and cybersecurity leader with more than 22 years of global experience. She has led large teams, driven digital and security transformations, and held leadership roles at Airbus, Deloitte India, and Shell. Joyce brings extensive experience in cyber risk, security operations, secure software development, IT infrastructure management, and strategic governance. She is passionate about reshaping workplace culture with inclusive leadership, responsible tech, and values-driven transformation, one where technology and humanity can evolve together with a common purpose.
What is one skill, interest or talent of yours that makes you great at your job?
I see myself as a compassionate and empathetic futurist. I lead with a deep awareness of the responsibility we carry in tech. I can envision bold futures, yet stay grounded in the practical readiness of the present, with empathy for where people are today and compassion for the journey it takes to evolve.
What is the best piece of unconventional career advice you’ve gotten?
Lead like the system is broken and fix it anyway. No organization, no structure, no process is ever perfect. In this perfectly imperfect world, have the courage to see the cracks and the will to make it better, not just for yourself, but also for those who come after you.
What is your proudest moment working in the cybersecurity industry?
My proudest moment was in my first leadership role in cybersecurity, protecting a large organization and more than 150,000 people during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling secure remote work overnight, while keeping emerging threats at bay. I made risks disappear before they ever reached the front lines.
When did you become interested in pursuing a career in cyber and what prompted it?
I was appointed to a leadership role in cybersecurity, but it was only when I witnessed the tangible impact of our work in safeguarding assets, enabling resilience, and protecting the organization’s reputation that I felt a profound alignment between my responsibilities and a deeper sense of purpose. That moment defined my commitment to this field and my drive to help contribute meaningfully.
What are the top 3 things you would tell people hoping to enter the cybersecurity industry?
- Don’t just secure systems, secure trust. Cybersecurity is ultimately about enabling trust in a digital world. It’s not just about protecting data, but safeguarding the confidence people place in organizations, institutions, and systems. That’s the true value of the work we do.
- Let your curiosity guide you. If you’re someone who’s naturally curious about global affairs, technology, and emerging trends, cybersecurity gives you a space to channel that curiosity into impact. It helps you anticipate threats, understand risks, and protect systems that power economies and societies.
- Lead with integrity and a sense of purpose. This field needs people who care, people who use technology responsibly, and who want to contribute meaningfully to communities. If you value ethics, have a strong moral compass, and are committed to continuous learning, you’ll not only survive here, you’ll thrive.
What are some misconceptions people might have about the cybersecurity industry and what can we do to change these misconceptions?
One major misconception is that cybersecurity is too complex or technical to break into. To change this, we need to humanize the field and make it more relatable, highlight different career paths, and show how it connects to everyday life, technology governance, and the way we live and work in a digital world.
Do you feel like you’re contributing to helping keep our world secure and can you share why that matters to you?
Yes, I do feel I’m contributing to keeping our world secure not just through technology, but through trust, leadership, and integrity. Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting systems; it’s about protecting people, economies, and the invisible infrastructures that help power our lives. What matters to me most is knowing that my work helps create safer spaces for teams, for organizations, and for the generations building the digital future. That’s where my purpose meets my profession.
What positive change do you think will take place as we bring the next generation into the cybersecurity industry?
The next generation will bring a powerful shift: cybersecurity won’t just be a profession, it will become a mindset, a life skill. They’ll grow up with a deep awareness of how technology should be used responsibly, how it can be misused, and how to embed security from the start. This can create a future where security is not an afterthought, but a way of thinking.
Who is your role model in the cybersecurity industry and why?
Ann Johnson, Corporate Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Office at Microsoft. Beyond her role at Microsoft, Ann holds positions on several boards, including N-Able, Human Security, and Datavant. She is also a member of the Board of Advisors for the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Washington and the Signal Cyber Museum Society. Additionally, Ann serves as the Executive Sponsor of the Microsoft Women in Security Group, advocating for inclusion within the cybersecurity community. Her dedication to advancing cybersecurity practices and fostering inclusive environments has solidified her reputation as a leading figure in the industry.
