Exploring Private Sector Intelligence and Threat Management Careers with Executive at Prudential Financial

The 2025-2026 National Security Fellowship (NSF) welcomed Cristina Cruz, the Director of Critical Event Threat Management, Intelligence and Travel Safety at Prudential Financial, as a guest speaker. Director Cruz serves as a Fusion Center Liaison for the New Jersey Regional Operations, Chairperson for the New Jersey Analyst Roundtable and holds a certification in Crisis Management from the National Center for Crisis Management.

Director Cruz explored contemporary issues in international security, focusing specifically on her experience in combating terrorism and addressing global security operations. Cruz drew on her 19 years of experience at Prudential Financial to respond to questions. Insight was provided on aspects of the private sector and on how Prudential Financial began recruiting for intelligence and security operations. Cruz encouraged the fellows to develop thick skin in this research field and to stand by their principles and analysis, emphasizing the importance of team collaboration and never working alone.

In addition to discussing global security operations at Prudential Financial, Director Cruz addressed vulnerabilities in crisis management. Specifically, she highlighted the vulnerabilities the private sector faces during economic freezes, government transitions, global pandemics and significant events in which a portion of a company’s personnel is unavailable. Cruz shared her experience with the 2011 Japan tsunami, focusing on resilience and crisis management.

Additionally, Director Cruz answered questions regarding the evolution of corporate security and how intelligence functions as a preemptive security measure rather than a reactive one. Cruz also answered questions regarding the best ways to combat disinformation when utilizing open-source intelligence (OSINT), how she navigates high-stress situations, her personal experience and advice for women pursuing careers in intelligence.

Director Cruz provided an in-depth discussion of her experience in counterterrorism and managing asymmetric threats at Prudential Financial, emphasizing that foreign and domestic threats should be treated with the same level of attention. She shared information regarding the 2004 threat at Prudential Financial dealing with a terrorism threat from Al-Qaeda, detailing how the group planned the attack against the company’s headquarters in Newark and emphasized to the NSF research team that the private sector in global security should never assume it is outside the scope of a potential or emerging threat.

Director Cruz offered career advice on measuring success in crisis management, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and the ability to respond effectively to emerging crises. She also advised the NSF team on the skills they should develop for future job opportunities, emphasizing the importance of leveraging internships, highlighting analytical work they have completed and taking advantage of professional events such as the OSAC conference, which brings together private and public sector participants. First-year graduate student Natalie Malatino commented, “Director Cruz brought a distinct perspective to terrorism threats by illustrating how private sector companies like Prudential Financial are more vulnerable to attacks than many people realize.”

First-year graduate student Reagin Jones shared, “I found it very interesting how Director Cruz defined success in crisis. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we can now see some shortcomings, but many nations’ responses can still be considered successful. I think redefining success is important, as we often strive for goals that may not be realistic under the guise of competitive success.”

Guest Speaker events are one part of the networking and career opportunities of the National Security Fellowship. The Fellowship provides a hands-on research opportunity for graduate students from the School of Diplomacy and International Relations with an interest in International Security. Under the guidance of mentoring fellow Mohamad Mirghahari and teaching assistant Delfronce Sanders, both Seton Hall alumni, the NSF team performs research for various agencies of the U.S. government. Research topics and projects vary by year but have included missions from the Department of State, the Department of Defense and the White House.

This year's 2025-2026 National Security Fellowship research team comprises ten graduate students from the School of Diplomacy and International Relations. Team leaders Colin Smith and Ella Carver guide the research team members, along with Mary Burke and Ana Sofia Torres and first-year graduate students Nyada Bryant, Reagin Jones, Natalie Malatino, Brandon Miley and Nicolas Rios.