Cisco

Program Lead, Threat Intelligence

Cisco • $194K — $285K *
Milpitas, CA 95035In-Person
Information Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's + 12 years, a Master's + 8 years, or PhD + 5 years of complex program management experience, preferably in software cloud environments
  • At least 2-3 years in cybersecurity, threat intelligence, or security operations
  • Experience managing multi-functional technical programs
  • Knowledge of threat intelligence concepts (IOCs, TTPs, MITRE ATT&CK)
  • Experience with risk identification, tracking, and mitigation frameworks
  • Familiarity with integration and QA testing practices
  • Experience with program management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, MS Project)

Responsibilities

  • Own the roadmap, planning, and execution of threat intelligence programs across multiple product lines
  • Drive cross-functional alignment across Threat Research, Product Engineering, Data Science, and Product Management teams
  • Define program milestones, dependencies, resourcing plans, and success metrics
  • Provide regular status reporting and executive-level updates on program health and outcomes
  • Establish and maintain a risk register for threat intelligence programs
  • Coordinate integration testing of threat intelligence feeds and services into downstream security products
  • Facilitate program ceremonies and manage program budget and vendor relationships

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Retirement plan options
  • Flexible working hours and remote work opportunities
  • Ongoing professional development and training
  • Employee assistance programs
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 09/10/2026

Your Impact

The Program Lead, Threat Intelligence will own the end-to-end program management of threat intelligence initiatives within Cisco's Security & Networking business unit. This role bridges threat research, engineering, and product teams to ensure timely, accurate, and actionable intelligence is embedded into Cisco's security portfolio (e.g., Talos, SecureX/XDR, firewall, endpoint, and cloud security products). The ideal candidate combines strong program/project management subject area with deep knowledge of threat intelligence lifecycle, risk management, and cross-functional software integration testing.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Leadership

  • Own the roadmap, planning, and execution of threat intelligence programs across multiple product lines within the Security BU.


  • Drive cross-functional alignment across Threat Research (e.g., Talos), Product Engineering, Data Science, and Product Management teams.


  • Define program milestones, dependencies, resourcing plans, and success metrics (objectives and key results).


  • Provide regular status reporting and executive-level updates on program health, risks, and outcomes.


2. Risk Identification & Management

  • Establish and maintain a risk register for threat intelligence programs, covering technical, operational, data-quality, and third-party/vendor risks.


  • Proactively identify risks related to intelligence feed reliability, false-positive/false-negative rates, data pipeline integrity, and coverage gaps.


  • Partner with security, legal, and compliance teams to assess risks tied to data sourcing, sharing agreements, and regulatory requirements (e.g., export controls, data privacy).


  • Develop and track mitigation plans; raise high-severity risks to leadership with clear options and recommendations.


  • Conduct periodic risk reviews and post-incident/lessons-learned assessments.


3. Integration Testing & Quality Assurance

  • Coordinate integration testing of threat intelligence feeds and services into downstream security products (firewalls, IPS/IDS, XDR, cloud security, endpoint).


  • Define test plans and acceptance criteria in partnership with QA/engineering, covering data ingestion, correlation accuracy, latency, and system performance under load.


  • Oversee regression and interoperability testing when new intelligence sources, detection signatures, or product releases are introduced.


  • Validate that intelligence outputs meet accuracy, timeliness, and actionability requirements before production release.


  • Manage defect triage and resolution tracking through to closure with engineering teams.


4. Program Operations & Stakeholder Management

  • Facilitate program ceremonies (planning, stand-ups, retrospectives) using Agile/Scrum or hybrid methodologies.


  • Manage program budget, vendor relationships, and third-party intelligence feed contracts as applicable.


  • Serve as the main point of contact between the Threat Intelligence function and Security BU leadership, product management, and customer-facing teams.


  • Support go-to-market readiness by ensuring intelligence capabilities are documented, tested, and communicated to sales engineering and customer success teams.


  • Drive continuous improvement of program processes, tooling, and reporting frameworks.


5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Work closely with Talos (or equivalent threat research organization) to translate research findings into product and program requirements.


  • Partner with Data Engineering to ensure scalable, reliable pipelines for intelligence data ingestion and distribution.


  • Collaborate with Security Compliance and Legal on data handling, sharing agreements (e.g., STIX/TAXII, ISACs), and regulatory obligations.


  • Engage with customer-facing and support teams to incorporate field feedback into program priorities.


Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's + 12 years, a Master's + 8 years, or PhD + 5 years of complex program management (preferred in software cloud environments), using both agile and waterfall, with at least 2-3 years in cybersecurity, threat intelligence, or security operations. Education should be in Engineering, Computer Science or related technical field.


  • Experience managing multi-functional technical programs involving engineering, data, and research teams.


  • Knowledge of threat intelligence concepts (IOCs, TTPs, MITRE ATT&CK, threat feeds, STIX/TAXII).


  • Experience with risk identification, tracking, and mitigation frameworks in a technical/product environment.


  • Familiarity with integration and QA testing practices for software/data platforms.


  • Experience with program management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, MS Project).


Preferred Qualifications:

  • PMP, PgMP, CSM, or SAFe certification.


  • Prefer Security certifications such as GCTI, CISSP, or CEH.


  • Prior experience at a network/security vendor (Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, CrowdStrike, etc.).


  • Familiarity with Cisco's security portfolio (Talos, SecureX, XDR, Firepower/Secure Firewall, Umbrella, Duo).


  • Experience with cloud-native security architectures and DevSecOps practices.


  • Exposure to data science/ML-driven threat detection pipelines.


  • Good communication skills with experience presenting to senior leadership and technical stakeholders.

About Cisco

Cisco Careers

Join the vibrant team at Cisco, a global leader in networking and cybersecurity solutions, where innovation and leadership thrive. Cisco offers a plethora of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and experiences, making it an ideal place for both seasoned professionals and those seeking an internship to jumpstart their career. Work You’ll Do At Cisco, you’ll be part of a culture that values diversity, leadership, and professional growth. Engage in work that matters with a team that combines technology, creativity, and the power of human connection to redefine networking. Cisco’s commitment to innovation isn’t just about technology, but also about transforming the way we work and collaborate. Cisco’s employment philosophy supports career advancement and nurtures a leadership pipeline that is equipped with diversity training and opportunities for growth. Whether you’re applying your skills to drive our latest innovations or using our vast networking capabilities to solve complex problems, at Cisco, every role is impactful. Join Our Dynamic Team Explore job opportunities in areas ranging from engineering to marketing, sales to cybersecurity. Cisco is hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and ready to drive change. Positions at Cisco offer competitive benefits, a supportive culture, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology. Internship Programs Kickstart your career with a Cisco internship. Gain invaluable industry experience, enhance your resume, and build professional networks that last a lifetime. Our internships provide hands-on experience and the chance to work on projects that matter. Leadership and Development Cisco is committed to fostering leadership skills and providing employees with the training needed to succeed. Our leadership programs help you develop new skills, manage teams effectively, and lead with confidence. Cisco’s commitment to professional development ensures that your career path is as dynamic as our technologies. Benefits and Culture Cisco understands the importance of a balanced life. Our benefits package is designed to ensure that our team members are healthy, happy, and secure. At Cisco, you’ll find a supportive culture that encourages open communication, teamwork, and mutual respect. Stay Connected Join Cisco’s Talent Network Stay informed about new positions that match your skills and interests. At Cisco, we value the curiosity and unique perspectives of our team members. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and insider tips directly from our hiring managers. Explore Cisco Jobs Ready to advance your career at Cisco? Search open positions, prepare your resume, and get ready for an interview that could lead to your next big opportunity. At Cisco, we’re not just filling positions—we’re investing in leaders. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await you at Cisco.
Learn more about Cisco
Size
79,500 employees
Market Cap
$194.5 billion
Industry
Telecommunications & Hardware
Net Income
$10.1 billion
Founded
2014
5 Year Trend
+1.4%
Revenue
$48 billion
NASDAQ
CSCO
* Ladders Estimates

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