Principal Technical Program Manager - Cloud Security

As the Principal Technical Program Manager - Cloud Security at PingCAP, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive security roadmap for TiDB Cloud. This includes collaborating with engineering teams to integrate security requirements into product design and deployment, managing third-party risk assessments, establishing incident response strategies, and advocating for a security-first culture within the organization.

To qualify for the Principal Technical Program Manager - Cloud Security role at PingCAP, you should have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or Information Security, 8+ years of experience in technical program management—especially with cloud security or distributed systems security—and a proven track record managing large-scale security initiatives. Relevant certifications like CISSP or CISM are a plus.

In your role as a Principal Technical Program Manager - Cloud Security at PingCAP, you'll oversee compliance with frameworks such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA. You'll lead initiatives to ensure that all security standards are integrated into our products while managing vendor evaluations and security audits to maintain compliance.

A security-first culture at PingCAP for the Principal Technical Program Manager means prioritizing security in every aspect of our operations. You will advocate for security best practices across teams and provide training to internal stakeholders and key customers, ensuring that everyone understands emerging threats and how to respond to them effectively.

The unique aspect of the Principal Technical Program Manager - Cloud Security position at PingCAP lies in the opportunity to shape the security foundations of TiDB Cloud, a cutting-edge distributed database service, in a fast-growing and innovative company. You'll work in a dynamic environment that encourages diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion.

When answering this question, focus on specific examples where you developed or managed security protocols in cloud environments. Highlight your familiarity with security frameworks and your success in implementing security measures within distributed systems.

Discuss your method for assessing risk and alignment with business objectives. Explain how you balance immediate security needs with long-term strategic goals, and provide examples of how you've effectively prioritized competing demands.

Share a clear and detailed example illustrating your leadership in facilitating collaboration among diverse team members. Focus on your approach to communication, the challenges faced, and the ultimate impact of the project on overall security measures.

Explain your approach to ensuring clarity in communication, such as simplifying technical jargon into understandable terms and using visuals. Highlight occasions when your communication significantly improved stakeholder understanding and engagement.

Detail a specific incident you managed, focusing on your role in the detection, response, and remediation phases. Emphasize your ability to adapt under pressure and the lessons learned that improved future incident response strategies.

Talk about the resources you rely on, such as security conferences, webinars, and publications. Mention your commitment to continuous learning and how you proactively share that knowledge within your teams.

Outline your direct experiences with SOC 2 or ISO 27001, including your role in audits, adherence processes, and how you ensured compliance across teams. Discuss any improvements you made during these compliance efforts.

Explain how automation can enhance security by reducing human error and increasing efficiency. Provide examples of automated security tools or processes you've implemented that improved response times and security measures.

Highlight your partnerships with engineering teams, emphasizing how you collaborated to design secure architectures. Mention how you integrated security requirements during different phases, ensuring robust solutions.

Discuss the importance of training and raising awareness about security practices within the organization. Use specific examples of how you've successfully influenced teams to prioritize security in their work and decision-making.