#103, GM EMEA @ Google Cloud Security, Cristina Pitarch: Keeping Google Secure

The Tech Leaders Podcast

At TTLP, we’ve been fortunate to have numerous tech leaders from Google join us to offer stellar advice. This week’s guest, Cristina Pitarch, is no different. As the General Manager EMEA at Google Cloud Security, Cristina leads a team that is responsible for keeping not only one of the biggest technology companies in the world secure, but also their customer list containing some of the largest businesses in the world.

From moving across the world to study at the University of California with very little English-speaking ability, Cristina took the plunge to move away from her law school background and enter the innovative world of technology. Joining Salesforce at the early stages meant that Cristina was able to climb the ranks quickly and become a driving force in the company’s expansion before moving to the technology powerhouse that is Google.

This episode reveals the key aspects of Google’s Clouds security strategy, and why GCP should be the number one choice for CTOs from security standpoint. From an unlikely career trajectory to astute advice on how to prioritise security within a business, this episode is value packed!
Time stamps:

• What does good leadership mean to Cristina? (02:42)
• Cristina’s unconventional path into tech (04:21)
• The biggest cultural differences between studying in USA vs. Spain (06:36)
• Joining Salesforce in its growth phase (07:33)
• Harnessing innovation at Google (11:42)
• The core principles of Google Cloud’s Security strategy (21:57)
• Current cybersecurity trends (24:27)
• Why should CTO’s choose Google Cloud Platform? (31:52)
• Advice to women in tech in 2024 (32:22)
• How does Cristina achieve balance in her life? (43:37)