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What kind of internships that is related to Cybersecurity?
Hello, I am a college junior majoring in Computer science. I have an interest in Cybersecurity. I am currently looking for summer internships to help expand my knowledge. I am unsure as to what internship position to look for, within cybersecurity.
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18 answers
Updated
Jake’s Answer
Hi Abigail, great question! Cybersecurity is a diverse and expanding field, and your education in Computer Science definitely sets you up for success.
Cybersecurity is a vast field, and it is definitely reasonable to not be exactly sure where to start when looking for internships. Many companies, including the Big4 consultancies, offer summer internships in Cybersecurity to students from across the USA and internationally. In order to determine which particular positions you would like to pursue, maybe consider some of the below questions and think about how your answers shape the sort of position you are looking for:
1. How does your current skillset and interests align with particular professions within cybersecurity?
2. Do you have any friends, contacts, or alumni from your university currently employed in the Cybersecurity industry from whom you can draw advice and insights as to their experience?
3. Does your school have a career counseling office which could help you search for positions and prepare for interviews?
4. Are there any clubs or organizations at your university focused on Cybersecurity or technology generally which you could get involved with? Often organizations such as these have existing relationships with companies and may help their members find employment through networking opportunities, career fairs, mock interviews, etc.
My advice - cast a wide net and take advantage of any professional resources (career center, existing connections, alumni network) at your disposal in order to help you identify and prepare for positions.
Good luck!
Cybersecurity is a vast field, and it is definitely reasonable to not be exactly sure where to start when looking for internships. Many companies, including the Big4 consultancies, offer summer internships in Cybersecurity to students from across the USA and internationally. In order to determine which particular positions you would like to pursue, maybe consider some of the below questions and think about how your answers shape the sort of position you are looking for:
1. How does your current skillset and interests align with particular professions within cybersecurity?
2. Do you have any friends, contacts, or alumni from your university currently employed in the Cybersecurity industry from whom you can draw advice and insights as to their experience?
3. Does your school have a career counseling office which could help you search for positions and prepare for interviews?
4. Are there any clubs or organizations at your university focused on Cybersecurity or technology generally which you could get involved with? Often organizations such as these have existing relationships with companies and may help their members find employment through networking opportunities, career fairs, mock interviews, etc.
My advice - cast a wide net and take advantage of any professional resources (career center, existing connections, alumni network) at your disposal in order to help you identify and prepare for positions.
Good luck!
Funsho Adisa-Adediwin (PMP®, ITIL®, ITSM, MBA)
Software Specialist
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Funsho’s Answer
Hi Abigail,
Consider internships in roles such as Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, or Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst. These positions offer hands-on experience in threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and incident response, providing a solid foundation in cybersecurity.
All the best!!!
FAA
Consider internships in roles such as Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, or Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst. These positions offer hands-on experience in threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and incident response, providing a solid foundation in cybersecurity.
All the best!!!
FAA
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Abigail
Updated
Amlan’s Answer
Hello! It’s great to hear about your interest in cybersecurity. As a college junior studying computer science, you’re well-positioned to explore a variety of internships within this dynamic field. Cybersecurity is a broad area with multiple specialties, and an internship can give you valuable insight into specific roles and responsibilities. Here’s a breakdown of some common types of cybersecurity internships that you might consider:
1. Security Operations Center (SOC) Intern
Role Description: SOC interns typically assist in monitoring and analyzing an organization's security posture on an ongoing basis. You would help in identifying, investigating, and responding to security threats.
Skills Developed: Real-time security monitoring, incident response, use of security information and event management (SIEM) tools.
2. Cybersecurity Analyst Intern
Role Description: As an analyst intern, you would work under the guidance of experienced analysts to assess security systems and measures for vulnerabilities and inefficiencies. You may also assist in conducting risk assessments and audits.
Skills Developed: Vulnerability assessment, risk analysis, security audits, possibly penetration testing.
3. Penetration Tester Intern
Role Description: This role involves ethical hacking to find and exploit vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and web applications. This helps organizations understand where they are most at risk.
Skills Developed: Ethical hacking, report writing, development of remediation strategies.
4. Network Security Intern
Role Description: Focuses on protecting the integrity of internal networks against attacks, intrusions, and disruptions. You might assist in managing firewalls, routers, and other networking devices.
Skills Developed: Network configuration and defense strategies, use of firewall and intrusion detection/prevention systems.
5. Information Security Compliance Intern
Role Description: This internship involves ensuring that organizational practices comply with security policies and regulations. You might help with the documentation and implementation of compliance policies.
Skills Developed: Understanding of regulatory frameworks (like GDPR, HIPAA), policy development, compliance audits.
6. Cybersecurity Research Intern
Role Description: Typically hosted by universities or research institutions, these internships involve working on cutting-edge cybersecurity research projects, which could range from new security protocols to AI in cybersecurity.
Skills Developed: Research skills, advanced cybersecurity technologies, academic writing.
7. Cyber Forensics Intern
Role Description: In this role, you would assist in the investigation of cybercrimes and breaches, helping to recover data from damaged or corrupted devices and tracing hacks.
Skills Developed: Forensic tools, investigative techniques, legal knowledge related to cyber law.
How to Find These Internships:
University Careers Service: Often, your university will have partnerships with companies offering internships or can provide resources for finding internships.
Online Job Boards: Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and specialized boards like CyberSecJobs or InfoSec Jobs can offer listings specific to cybersecurity internships.
Networking: Attend cybersecurity conferences, seminars, or local meetups (like those organized by OWASP) to connect with professionals and learn about opportunities.
Professional Associations: Consider joining organizations such as ISACA, (ISC)², or SANS, which offer resources for students including internship opportunities.
Applying for internships in these areas will not only sharpen your technical skills but also give you a clearer picture of which cybersecurity pathways align with your interests and career goals. Good luck with your internship search!
1. Security Operations Center (SOC) Intern
Role Description: SOC interns typically assist in monitoring and analyzing an organization's security posture on an ongoing basis. You would help in identifying, investigating, and responding to security threats.
Skills Developed: Real-time security monitoring, incident response, use of security information and event management (SIEM) tools.
2. Cybersecurity Analyst Intern
Role Description: As an analyst intern, you would work under the guidance of experienced analysts to assess security systems and measures for vulnerabilities and inefficiencies. You may also assist in conducting risk assessments and audits.
Skills Developed: Vulnerability assessment, risk analysis, security audits, possibly penetration testing.
3. Penetration Tester Intern
Role Description: This role involves ethical hacking to find and exploit vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and web applications. This helps organizations understand where they are most at risk.
Skills Developed: Ethical hacking, report writing, development of remediation strategies.
4. Network Security Intern
Role Description: Focuses on protecting the integrity of internal networks against attacks, intrusions, and disruptions. You might assist in managing firewalls, routers, and other networking devices.
Skills Developed: Network configuration and defense strategies, use of firewall and intrusion detection/prevention systems.
5. Information Security Compliance Intern
Role Description: This internship involves ensuring that organizational practices comply with security policies and regulations. You might help with the documentation and implementation of compliance policies.
Skills Developed: Understanding of regulatory frameworks (like GDPR, HIPAA), policy development, compliance audits.
6. Cybersecurity Research Intern
Role Description: Typically hosted by universities or research institutions, these internships involve working on cutting-edge cybersecurity research projects, which could range from new security protocols to AI in cybersecurity.
Skills Developed: Research skills, advanced cybersecurity technologies, academic writing.
7. Cyber Forensics Intern
Role Description: In this role, you would assist in the investigation of cybercrimes and breaches, helping to recover data from damaged or corrupted devices and tracing hacks.
Skills Developed: Forensic tools, investigative techniques, legal knowledge related to cyber law.
How to Find These Internships:
University Careers Service: Often, your university will have partnerships with companies offering internships or can provide resources for finding internships.
Online Job Boards: Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and specialized boards like CyberSecJobs or InfoSec Jobs can offer listings specific to cybersecurity internships.
Networking: Attend cybersecurity conferences, seminars, or local meetups (like those organized by OWASP) to connect with professionals and learn about opportunities.
Professional Associations: Consider joining organizations such as ISACA, (ISC)², or SANS, which offer resources for students including internship opportunities.
Applying for internships in these areas will not only sharpen your technical skills but also give you a clearer picture of which cybersecurity pathways align with your interests and career goals. Good luck with your internship search!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Abigail,
1. Cybersecurity Internship Positions: Internships in the field of cybersecurity can provide valuable hands-on experience and help you develop practical skills in this rapidly growing industry. Here are some common internship positions related to cybersecurity that you can consider:
Cybersecurity Analyst Intern: This role involves monitoring networks for security breaches, analyzing security risks, and implementing security measures to protect an organization’s data.
Security Operations Center (SOC) Intern: In this position, you would work in a SOC environment, monitoring and responding to security incidents, conducting threat analysis, and assisting in incident response activities.
Penetration Testing Intern: As a penetration testing intern, you would assess the security of systems and networks by simulating cyber attacks to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.
Security Engineering Intern: Security engineering interns focus on designing, implementing, and maintaining security solutions such as firewalls, encryption protocols, and access controls to protect an organization’s assets.
Incident Response Intern: Incident response interns assist in investigating and responding to cybersecurity incidents, coordinating with various teams to contain threats and minimize the impact of security breaches.
Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Intern: GRC interns help organizations ensure compliance with cybersecurity regulations and standards, assess risks, and develop policies and procedures to mitigate those risks.
2. How to Find Cybersecurity Internships: To find cybersecurity internships that align with your interests and career goals, consider the following strategies:
University Career Services: Many universities have dedicated career services offices that can help you explore internship opportunities in cybersecurity through job postings, career fairs, and networking events.
Online Job Boards: Websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and CyberSecJobs.com list internship openings in cybersecurity from various companies across different industries.
Professional Organizations: Joining professional organizations such as ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) or (ISC)² can provide access to job boards, networking opportunities, and mentorship programs in cybersecurity.
Networking: Attend industry conferences, workshops, webinars, or local meetups related to cybersecurity to connect with professionals in the field who may offer insights into internship opportunities.
3. Skills Required for Cybersecurity Internships: When applying for cybersecurity internships, employers typically look for candidates with a combination of technical skills and soft skills. Some essential skills for cybersecurity internships include:
Technical Skills: Knowledge of networking protocols, operating systems (e.g., Linux/Windows), programming languages (e.g., Python), understanding of cloud computing concepts (e.g., AWS/Azure), familiarity with tools like Wireshark or Metasploit.
Analytical Thinking: The ability to analyze complex information quickly, identify patterns or anomalies in data, and make informed decisions based on findings is crucial for success in cybersecurity roles.
Problem-Solving Skills: Cybersecurity professionals often encounter challenging problems that require creative solutions. Demonstrating strong problem-solving abilities can set you apart as a candidate.
Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential when working in cybersecurity teams or interacting with stakeholders. Being able to convey technical information clearly to non-technical audiences is valuable.
By considering these factors when searching for cybersecurity internships and developing the necessary skills required for these roles, you can enhance your chances of securing a valuable learning experience in the field of cybersecurity during your summer break as a college junior majoring in Computer Science.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
CyberSecJobs.com: A leading online platform specializing in cybersecurity job listings across various industries.
ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association): A globally recognized professional association focused on IT governance, risk management, audit, control, information security, cybersecurity, privacy, business continuity, disaster recovery, emerging technologies
(ISC)²: An international nonprofit membership association focused on inspiring a safe secure cyber world through best practices certifications education
These sources were instrumental in providing accurate information on available internship positions, skills required, and strategies for finding opportunities within the field of cybersecurity.
GOD BLESS YOU, MUCHLY,
JC.
1. Cybersecurity Internship Positions: Internships in the field of cybersecurity can provide valuable hands-on experience and help you develop practical skills in this rapidly growing industry. Here are some common internship positions related to cybersecurity that you can consider:
Cybersecurity Analyst Intern: This role involves monitoring networks for security breaches, analyzing security risks, and implementing security measures to protect an organization’s data.
Security Operations Center (SOC) Intern: In this position, you would work in a SOC environment, monitoring and responding to security incidents, conducting threat analysis, and assisting in incident response activities.
Penetration Testing Intern: As a penetration testing intern, you would assess the security of systems and networks by simulating cyber attacks to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.
Security Engineering Intern: Security engineering interns focus on designing, implementing, and maintaining security solutions such as firewalls, encryption protocols, and access controls to protect an organization’s assets.
Incident Response Intern: Incident response interns assist in investigating and responding to cybersecurity incidents, coordinating with various teams to contain threats and minimize the impact of security breaches.
Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Intern: GRC interns help organizations ensure compliance with cybersecurity regulations and standards, assess risks, and develop policies and procedures to mitigate those risks.
2. How to Find Cybersecurity Internships: To find cybersecurity internships that align with your interests and career goals, consider the following strategies:
University Career Services: Many universities have dedicated career services offices that can help you explore internship opportunities in cybersecurity through job postings, career fairs, and networking events.
Online Job Boards: Websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and CyberSecJobs.com list internship openings in cybersecurity from various companies across different industries.
Professional Organizations: Joining professional organizations such as ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) or (ISC)² can provide access to job boards, networking opportunities, and mentorship programs in cybersecurity.
Networking: Attend industry conferences, workshops, webinars, or local meetups related to cybersecurity to connect with professionals in the field who may offer insights into internship opportunities.
3. Skills Required for Cybersecurity Internships: When applying for cybersecurity internships, employers typically look for candidates with a combination of technical skills and soft skills. Some essential skills for cybersecurity internships include:
Technical Skills: Knowledge of networking protocols, operating systems (e.g., Linux/Windows), programming languages (e.g., Python), understanding of cloud computing concepts (e.g., AWS/Azure), familiarity with tools like Wireshark or Metasploit.
Analytical Thinking: The ability to analyze complex information quickly, identify patterns or anomalies in data, and make informed decisions based on findings is crucial for success in cybersecurity roles.
Problem-Solving Skills: Cybersecurity professionals often encounter challenging problems that require creative solutions. Demonstrating strong problem-solving abilities can set you apart as a candidate.
Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential when working in cybersecurity teams or interacting with stakeholders. Being able to convey technical information clearly to non-technical audiences is valuable.
By considering these factors when searching for cybersecurity internships and developing the necessary skills required for these roles, you can enhance your chances of securing a valuable learning experience in the field of cybersecurity during your summer break as a college junior majoring in Computer Science.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
CyberSecJobs.com: A leading online platform specializing in cybersecurity job listings across various industries.
ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association): A globally recognized professional association focused on IT governance, risk management, audit, control, information security, cybersecurity, privacy, business continuity, disaster recovery, emerging technologies
(ISC)²: An international nonprofit membership association focused on inspiring a safe secure cyber world through best practices certifications education
These sources were instrumental in providing accurate information on available internship positions, skills required, and strategies for finding opportunities within the field of cybersecurity.
GOD BLESS YOU, MUCHLY,
JC.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Abigail
Updated
Kristopher’s Answer
Hello!
My suggestion would first be to think ahead to what you would like your career to look like. Would you prefer the Government or Commercial sector? Once you decide on that (it's ok to change your mind later, but evaluate your current preferences), you can look into internships within that sector. Federal agencies all have great internship programs, think of those particular "3 letter agencies". These are competitive but will give you opportunities you may never find in the commercial sector. The training and education are world class. Commercial sector is also huge, especially with industries that are heavily regulated, i.e. PCI-DSS and HIPAA regulated industries such as finance, e-commerce and banking, healthcare, etc. Some common examples might be Visa, Robinhood, Large Healthcare Orgs, Insurance Companies such as Geico. Basically, any Fortune500 company should have a well-established security team, likely with internships, since this is an important channel for recruiting and talent acquisition.
A few comments about Federal positions to keep in mind. Generally, federal contractors are among the highest paid for comparable positions. However, keep in mind the security clearances required in these full performance positions as well as many of the internships. You lose some anonymity and privacy in many aspects of your personal life. In turn, you are compensated more for having higher clearances, mainly because it narrows down on the pool of candidates for a given position or role. If there are 1000 applicants for a given role with no clearance requirement, there may be less than 10 of those who have a clearance. It certainly increases your value professionally but is a big personal decision and something to consider.
Either way, best of luck! Internships can be instrumental in networking, skill building, and ultimately getting a foot in the door at many companies.
My suggestion would first be to think ahead to what you would like your career to look like. Would you prefer the Government or Commercial sector? Once you decide on that (it's ok to change your mind later, but evaluate your current preferences), you can look into internships within that sector. Federal agencies all have great internship programs, think of those particular "3 letter agencies". These are competitive but will give you opportunities you may never find in the commercial sector. The training and education are world class. Commercial sector is also huge, especially with industries that are heavily regulated, i.e. PCI-DSS and HIPAA regulated industries such as finance, e-commerce and banking, healthcare, etc. Some common examples might be Visa, Robinhood, Large Healthcare Orgs, Insurance Companies such as Geico. Basically, any Fortune500 company should have a well-established security team, likely with internships, since this is an important channel for recruiting and talent acquisition.
A few comments about Federal positions to keep in mind. Generally, federal contractors are among the highest paid for comparable positions. However, keep in mind the security clearances required in these full performance positions as well as many of the internships. You lose some anonymity and privacy in many aspects of your personal life. In turn, you are compensated more for having higher clearances, mainly because it narrows down on the pool of candidates for a given position or role. If there are 1000 applicants for a given role with no clearance requirement, there may be less than 10 of those who have a clearance. It certainly increases your value professionally but is a big personal decision and something to consider.
Either way, best of luck! Internships can be instrumental in networking, skill building, and ultimately getting a foot in the door at many companies.
Updated
Nicholas’s Answer
Hi there! As others have noted, the opportunities for internships in cybersecurity can be very broad, as are the opportunities in cybersecurity overall. This is great as it provides an opportunity to both build a broad range of skills and a chance to find the unique discipline within cybersecurity which interests you the most!
Most traditional cybersecurity teams will have internships for their Security Operations teams, such as a Security Analyst intern, Information Security Analyst intern, or a Security Engineering intern. This is a chance to get direct hands on experience of what it's like being part of a security team day-to-day. At a high-level, an Analyst is someone who monitors and analyzes events that cyber security tools record so that action can be taken when appropriate. An Engineer is someone who is responsible for configuring security tools so they're effective at monitoring and/or blocking a risky activity from occurring. You can think of these roles as being more involved in how a cybersecurity strategy is carried out on a day-to-day basis.
There's also a lot of opportunities interning for GRC (Governance, Risk and Compliance) teams, where you can see how teams analyze their organization's risk to determine policies and standards that influence cybersecurity controls. This is the group (or combination of groups) that determine the cybersecurity strategy that the security operations center is then asked to fulfill.
Depending on the size of the organization, teams may be highly specialized in their specific technology/service (typical for very large organizations which have "Network Security", "Cloud Security" or "Data Protection" teams among many other specialties) or there may be a smaller cybersecurity team that fulfills many roles and manages many technologies/services (typical for smaller organizations where one team manages things like Network Security, Physical Security, Endpoint Security, Data Protection, etc.).
At Deloitte (as well as other consulting firms), we have many opportunities for those looking to see what a career in Cybersecurity is like! There's so many disciplines, you could end up seeing how we manage our own internal Cybersecurity strategy or see how we advise our clients on their strategy!
Good luck! Cybersecurity is a vast and thrilling area- I'm sure you'll love it!
Most traditional cybersecurity teams will have internships for their Security Operations teams, such as a Security Analyst intern, Information Security Analyst intern, or a Security Engineering intern. This is a chance to get direct hands on experience of what it's like being part of a security team day-to-day. At a high-level, an Analyst is someone who monitors and analyzes events that cyber security tools record so that action can be taken when appropriate. An Engineer is someone who is responsible for configuring security tools so they're effective at monitoring and/or blocking a risky activity from occurring. You can think of these roles as being more involved in how a cybersecurity strategy is carried out on a day-to-day basis.
There's also a lot of opportunities interning for GRC (Governance, Risk and Compliance) teams, where you can see how teams analyze their organization's risk to determine policies and standards that influence cybersecurity controls. This is the group (or combination of groups) that determine the cybersecurity strategy that the security operations center is then asked to fulfill.
Depending on the size of the organization, teams may be highly specialized in their specific technology/service (typical for very large organizations which have "Network Security", "Cloud Security" or "Data Protection" teams among many other specialties) or there may be a smaller cybersecurity team that fulfills many roles and manages many technologies/services (typical for smaller organizations where one team manages things like Network Security, Physical Security, Endpoint Security, Data Protection, etc.).
At Deloitte (as well as other consulting firms), we have many opportunities for those looking to see what a career in Cybersecurity is like! There's so many disciplines, you could end up seeing how we manage our own internal Cybersecurity strategy or see how we advise our clients on their strategy!
Good luck! Cybersecurity is a vast and thrilling area- I'm sure you'll love it!
Updated
Gavin’s Answer
Absolutely, if your interest lies in the cyber field, I highly recommend exploring roles as a security analyst. However, remember that cyber encompasses a broad range of IT-related roles too. So, don't limit yourself by only focusing on internships that are strictly security-oriented. You can acquire valuable skills from any IT role and apply them effectively in the realm of security. Keep an open mind and embrace all learning opportunities. You've got this!
Updated
Nabia’s Answer
Depending on your interests within cybersecurity, you can select from tons of great internship opportunities. I got a chance to intern within the network security team at an oil and gas company during my college career. There I got a chance to understand incoming network threats that this company experienced on a daily basis. I was also responsible for updating the company's firewall rules! This gave me a really good overview of what daily network traffic patterns looked like. One of the coolest things I got a chance to do during this internship was set up a DDoS profile on the company's external firewall that not only determined what regular network traffic patterns looked like, but also block potential DDoS attacks from happening.
Updated
Justin’s Answer
Hi Abigail!
Base off the information you shared I think these would be some awesome places to start!
Best of luck to you~
https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/student-internship-program/
https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/cybersecurity-internship-program
https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/icdf
Base off the information you shared I think these would be some awesome places to start!
Best of luck to you~
https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/student-internship-program/
https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/cybersecurity-internship-program
https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/icdf
Thank you, Justin!
Abigail
Updated
Dr. Lisette’s Answer
Hi there! Cybersecurity is an exciting and rapidly expanding field. It's a great idea to learn from the experiences of others who have interned in this profession. Reddit is a fantastic platform to delve deeper. Don't miss this amazing Cybersecurity internship opportunity listed on the MLB website: https://www.mlb.com/careers/opportunities?gh_jid=5652337
Best of luck to you!
Best of luck to you!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Abigail
Updated
Jin’s Answer
Hello! Your college is a fantastic starting point. Explore the resources they provide that could connect you with firms seeking summer interns. Many companies have dedicated recruitment teams for numerous universities, so the key is to discover what your school offers and use those resources effectively. Additionally, visit the websites of different companies. In the career section, you'll typically find a page dedicated to intern applications. I'd recommend identifying a few companies of interest and applying to their online intern programs. You're on the path to success!
Updated
Debasis’s Answer
There are many exciting internship opportunities available in the vast field of cybersecurity.
- Security Analyst Intern
- Network Security Intern
- Cybersecurity Consultant Intern
- Penetration Tester Intern
- Government Cybersecurity Internship
- Information Security Compliance Intern
- Security Analyst Intern
- Network Security Intern
- Cybersecurity Consultant Intern
- Penetration Tester Intern
- Government Cybersecurity Internship
- Information Security Compliance Intern
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Abigail, as an enthusiastic college junior majoring in Computer Science and with a strong interest in Cybersecurity, there's a whole world of internships out there that can help you broaden your knowledge and gain hands-on experience.
First off, consider roles like a Security Analyst Intern. This position will let you learn the ropes of monitoring and analyzing security systems, helping you spot potential weaknesses.
Next, think about becoming a Penetration Testing Intern. This role involves staging simulated cyber attacks to test an organization's security measures.
You might also want to look into a Cybersecurity Research Intern role. Here, you'll have the chance to contribute to the development of new security protocols and tools. If you're after a wider range of experience, a Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst Intern role could be just the ticket. This position will give you practical experience in managing and responding to security incidents as they happen.
And let's not forget internships that focus on Incident Response. These opportunities can give you a unique insight into how to handle and mitigate security breaches. These internships are often offered by companies and organizations in a variety of sectors, including finance, healthcare, technology, and government agencies. By setting your sights on these specific roles, you'll be well on your way to gaining a thorough understanding of cybersecurity and honing your practical skills in this vital and fast-paced field.
Please know that there are several reputable companies and organizations offer internships in cybersecurity, each providing valuable hands-on experience and exposure to the field. Here are just a few examples:
1. Cisco offers internships for roles like Security Analyst Intern and SOC Analyst Intern, providing exposure to network security, threat intelligence, and incident response.
2. Known for its advanced endpoint protection, CrowdStrike offers internships focused on incident response, threat intelligence, and penetration testing.
3. Palo Alto Networks provides internships that cover various aspects of cybersecurity, including threat research, cloud security, and network defense.
4. FireEye offers internships in areas such as malware analysis, incident response, and cyber threat intelligence, allowing interns to work with cutting-edge security technology.
5. IBM’s cybersecurity internships span multiple domains, including security operations, penetration testing, and research and development of new security solutions.
6. Microsoft's cybersecurity internships involve working on cloud security, identity management, and developing security features for its products and services.
7. Deloitte provides internships that focus on cybersecurity risk assessment, security strategy, and implementation of security measures for clients.
8. Northrop Grumman offers internships in cybersecurity, particularly in areas related to government and military security solutions.
9. Lockheed Martin’s internships cover cybersecurity engineering, threat analysis, and the development of security protocols for aerospace and defense systems.
10. The NSA offers internships through its Stokes Educational Scholarship Program, providing hands-on experience in cryptography, network security, and national defense-related cybersecurity.
First off, consider roles like a Security Analyst Intern. This position will let you learn the ropes of monitoring and analyzing security systems, helping you spot potential weaknesses.
Next, think about becoming a Penetration Testing Intern. This role involves staging simulated cyber attacks to test an organization's security measures.
You might also want to look into a Cybersecurity Research Intern role. Here, you'll have the chance to contribute to the development of new security protocols and tools. If you're after a wider range of experience, a Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst Intern role could be just the ticket. This position will give you practical experience in managing and responding to security incidents as they happen.
And let's not forget internships that focus on Incident Response. These opportunities can give you a unique insight into how to handle and mitigate security breaches. These internships are often offered by companies and organizations in a variety of sectors, including finance, healthcare, technology, and government agencies. By setting your sights on these specific roles, you'll be well on your way to gaining a thorough understanding of cybersecurity and honing your practical skills in this vital and fast-paced field.
Please know that there are several reputable companies and organizations offer internships in cybersecurity, each providing valuable hands-on experience and exposure to the field. Here are just a few examples:
1. Cisco offers internships for roles like Security Analyst Intern and SOC Analyst Intern, providing exposure to network security, threat intelligence, and incident response.
2. Known for its advanced endpoint protection, CrowdStrike offers internships focused on incident response, threat intelligence, and penetration testing.
3. Palo Alto Networks provides internships that cover various aspects of cybersecurity, including threat research, cloud security, and network defense.
4. FireEye offers internships in areas such as malware analysis, incident response, and cyber threat intelligence, allowing interns to work with cutting-edge security technology.
5. IBM’s cybersecurity internships span multiple domains, including security operations, penetration testing, and research and development of new security solutions.
6. Microsoft's cybersecurity internships involve working on cloud security, identity management, and developing security features for its products and services.
7. Deloitte provides internships that focus on cybersecurity risk assessment, security strategy, and implementation of security measures for clients.
8. Northrop Grumman offers internships in cybersecurity, particularly in areas related to government and military security solutions.
9. Lockheed Martin’s internships cover cybersecurity engineering, threat analysis, and the development of security protocols for aerospace and defense systems.
10. The NSA offers internships through its Stokes Educational Scholarship Program, providing hands-on experience in cryptography, network security, and national defense-related cybersecurity.
Updated
Brittany’s Answer
Hello Abigail,
Many large organizations and corporations now have Cybersecurity teams. This is great for you, because you may be able to creatively locate internship programs through a variety of sources. For instance, the Big 4 accounting firms are typically recruiting from the accounting and business programs at colleges, but definitely have CyberSecurity programs and would be interested in considering interns in that.
Also, a personal story to hopefully inspire you: I was interested in an internship with a specific company when I was in college, but they only had interns in a very different type of department. I went to them and pitched the idea of an internship program, and they were open to it. I became the first intern in that department, and they have had many more in the years since.
Don't be scared to get creative in the companies you consider, and be willing to try and make a way if you don't see one immediately. Good luck!
Many large organizations and corporations now have Cybersecurity teams. This is great for you, because you may be able to creatively locate internship programs through a variety of sources. For instance, the Big 4 accounting firms are typically recruiting from the accounting and business programs at colleges, but definitely have CyberSecurity programs and would be interested in considering interns in that.
Also, a personal story to hopefully inspire you: I was interested in an internship with a specific company when I was in college, but they only had interns in a very different type of department. I went to them and pitched the idea of an internship program, and they were open to it. I became the first intern in that department, and they have had many more in the years since.
Don't be scared to get creative in the companies you consider, and be willing to try and make a way if you don't see one immediately. Good luck!
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Jack’s Answer
Hi! As a few others have said, many Big 4 companies have large Cybersecurity teams that offer internships. An avenue in particular you could look into would be "Cloud Security". That is a very hot market as many companies are transitioning (or already have transitioned) their infrastructure from on-prem to the cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP etc.).
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Martha’s Answer
Hi Abigail, I agree with Dr. Lisette that Cybersecurity is a growing field, and the others have given you excellent advice as well. It may be late to apply for internships for this summer, but it would not be bad to make contact. You could ask about this summer and deadlines for next summer.
Some other thoughts:
- Check with the careers center at your college as well as the Computer Science department. There may be research or another project that could use another person or they may know of an opportunity through a related company
- If you can't get an internship, maybe earn an online credential, such as the one I posted below. You could audit the course for free, but if you want the credential, you would have to pay
- Maybe use this time to contact your college alumni in cybersecurity to learn about their experience and career path. If you develop a rapport, you may be able to shadow or do a small project for them or contact them for employment later
Good luck!
Coursera - https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/ibm-cybersecurity-analyst?utm_medium=sem&utm_source=gg&utm_campaign=B2C_NAMER_ibm-cybersecurity-analyst_ibm_FTCOF_professional-certificates_country-US-country-CA&campaignid=20786974250&adgroupid=157387964842&device=c&keyword=cybersecurity%20class&matchtype=b&network=g&devicemodel=&adposition=&creativeid=681283802055&hide_mobile_promo&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0_WyBhDMARIsAL1Vz8v5PcgLgEF5coL0X77QGlv2HiRmnJaUKju_PwnIXpQ6XWhyU0TyteMaAoEqEALw_wcB
Some other thoughts:
- Check with the careers center at your college as well as the Computer Science department. There may be research or another project that could use another person or they may know of an opportunity through a related company
- If you can't get an internship, maybe earn an online credential, such as the one I posted below. You could audit the course for free, but if you want the credential, you would have to pay
- Maybe use this time to contact your college alumni in cybersecurity to learn about their experience and career path. If you develop a rapport, you may be able to shadow or do a small project for them or contact them for employment later
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
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Nizar’s Answer
To be in cybersecurity you need to have a solid skills in LINUX/UNIX operating Systems, and understand networking, and monitoring. Also the tools used to analyze the networks.
Finding an internship in OS system administration would be a good start to build your skill sets, and networking and Firewall administration since Firewall is a key component of cyber security in any corporation.
Good luck in your search.
install a Linux OS on a laptop and play with it to get very familiar with commands and structure.
Finding an internship in OS system administration would be a good start to build your skill sets, and networking and Firewall administration since Firewall is a key component of cyber security in any corporation.
Good luck in your search.
Nizar recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Abigail
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Abigail,
As many have said before, the Big 4 is a good place to start (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PWC). Of course, I would push towards Deloitte personally, so in my mind the Big 4 are Deloitte, Deloitte, Deloitte and Deloitte XD.
Alongside the Cybersecurity side, there's also the IAM side which includes the design and creation of identity infrastructure to regulate authentication (auth/n - proving who you are) and authorization (auth/z - verifying what you're allowed to access). IAM analyst internships would be another avenue to explore.
As many have said before, the Big 4 is a good place to start (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PWC). Of course, I would push towards Deloitte personally, so in my mind the Big 4 are Deloitte, Deloitte, Deloitte and Deloitte XD.
Alongside the Cybersecurity side, there's also the IAM side which includes the design and creation of identity infrastructure to regulate authentication (auth/n - proving who you are) and authorization (auth/z - verifying what you're allowed to access). IAM analyst internships would be another avenue to explore.