In this episode of the Malspace Podcast, I sit down with Cris Kittner, Senior Manager of Threat Research Engineering at Proofpoint, for a deep and personal conversation about her remarkable journey through the world of cyber threat intelligence.

From growing up in Brazil during times of political unrest to working her way into the U.S. defense sector, Cris shares how her passion for understanding violent extremism and security evolved into a career at the forefront of cybersecurity — including over a decade at Mandiant, Google Cloud, and now Proofpoint.

Together, we explore:

• ​How curiosity and persistence shaped Cris’s unconventional path into cyber intelligence
• ​Lessons from working with legendary figures in APT research at Mandiant
• ​The growing overlap between nation-state and e-crime operations — and why breaking down silos is vital for modern threat analysis
• ​Her leadership philosophy around psychological safety, mentorship, and preventing burnout
• ​How human connection — and even friendship bracelets — can strengthen cybersecurity teams

It’s an inspiring conversation about adaptability, empathy, and the evolving landscape of threat intelligence — told through the lens of one of the field’s most passionate voices.