bio

Kristen transitioned into a cybersecurity career with a background in contemporary art and business operations before completing her MS in Computer Science and Cybersecurity. She helps build future-focused cyber analytics technologies for national defense and roots out threats on critical networks. She is the Vice President of the WiCyS Silicon Valley Affiliate, and contributor to Double Union, an intersectional space for hackers and makers in San Francisco.

A little about Kristen's work

As an incident responder I hunt threats and respond to risks on critical networks. When not monitoring, I work with experts in multiple domains to test and develop new technologies for cyber defense.

Kristen's Cybersecurity Tip

Build a culture that values risk reduction and empower everyone to be part of the solution. You don't have to be a cybersecurity expert to be a cybersecurity hero. 

Why did you get into cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity was a great match for my interests in new technology and desire to be constantly thinking about 'the next thing'. In high school and college I studied artists who hack technology in their creative process. I began to learn programming on my own. When I learned of a National Science Foundation scholarship to attend graduate school for Computer Science and Cybersecurity, I realized Cybersecurity could lead to a career.