Cybersecurity internships are a great way to start your career in this field. With more and more online threats, companies need people who can help keep their data safe.
As a cybersecurity intern, you’ll work with experts, learn how to use the latest security tools and get real-world experience. This hands-on learning helps you build skills and understand the challenges of cybersecurity.
Whether you’re still in school or have just finished, an internship can be a great first step toward a successful career in cybersecurity.
Key Takeaways
- Cybersecurity internships are a great way to kick-start your career.
- The best cybersecurity internships give you hands-on experience in such areas as anomaly detection, incident response, or threat intelligence.
- Hands-on learning helps participants build skills and understand the challenges of cybersecurity.
- Some organizations offer remote cybersecurity internships, while others offer in-person programs.
- To increase your chances, apply early and to as many internships as possible.
Top Cybersecurity Internships – Summer 2025
Let’s explore six of the top cybersecurity internships for summer 2025. Some organizations offer remote cybersecurity internships, while others offer in-person programs.
Internship | Key Highlights | Paid | Duration | Location |
NGA High School Student Intern Program – Summer 2025 | Join an NGA team and work on real projects that help with important intelligence work. | $21,986-$57,355 | 8-10 weeks (40 hours per week) | Springfield, Virginia, and St. Louis, Missouri |
Campus – Cybersecurity Program Intern (Fannie Mae) | Work with senior staff to apply what you know to create solutions and improve the company’s tools. | $41.50 per hour | 10 weeks (June 2025 – August 2025) | Remote/on-site |
2025 Summer Computer Science/Software/Cyber Security Intern (Hitachi Energy USA Inc.) | Play a role in Hitachi Energy’s goal of building a sustainable and reliable energy future. | N/A | 12 weeks (full time) beginning in May 2025 | On-site in various locations in the USA |
Cybersecurity Internship – Summer 2025 (Qualcomm Inc.) | Work on anomaly detection, event monitoring, identity and access management, security architecture, and cybersecurity engineering operations. | $17.00-$98.00 per hour | 11-14 weeks (May-September) | San Diego, California |
2025 Guardian Summer Intern, Cyber Security Assurance | Learn to find vulnerabilities, test defenses, and understand threats. | $20-$35 per hour | 10 weeks, June 2, 2025 – August 8, 2025 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania |
Cybersecurity Consultant – Intern (Plante Moran) | Work on projects related to cybersecurity standards and assist with special research or analysis. | $34 per hour | 6 to 12 weeks (full time); summer program begins in June 2025 | Southfield, Michigan
Chicago, Illinois Denver, Colorado |
6. Cybersecurity Consultant – Intern (Plante Moran)
As a participant in Plante Moran’s 2025 Cybersecurity Consultant – Intern program, you’ll be treated like a regular employee and get hands-on experience.
You’ll work on various projects to build your cybersecurity skills. This includes helping clients with cybersecurity audits, checking how well business processes and IT controls protect information, assessing IT risks, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
You’ll also work on projects related to cybersecurity standards and assist with special research or analysis. You’ll also get to build relationships with clients and help make the company more successful.
- Detail-oriented leader with problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills.
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting, information security, business administration, finance, management information systems, or related fields.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Working toward a degree and relevant certifications, such as ISACA’s Certified Information Systems Auditor.
Salary: The average salary is $34 per hour, according to Glassdoor.
5. 2025 Guardian Summer Intern, Cyber Security Assurance
During the 2025 Guardian Summer Intern, Cyber Security Assurance program, you’ll learn about various security topics, including finding vulnerabilities, managing settings, understanding threats, and testing defenses by watching and working with experts.
You’ll also get to create simple solutions that make work easier and faster. And you’ll have the chance to work with leaders, mentors, and coworkers who’ll guide you as you learn and improve your skills.
You’ll learn about Guardian’s goals, values, and what the company does. You’ll connect with other interns and employees, which will help you feel part of the team.
Requirements:
- Computer science background.
- Familiarity with fundamental concepts in cybersecurity.
- Hands-on experience with cybersecurity projects.
- Committed to a career in cybersecurity in such areas as vulnerability management, configuration management, threat intelligence, and red teaming.
- Experience in scripting or basic programming languages.
Salary range: $20-$35 per hour.
Application closes on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.
4. Cybersecurity Internship – Summer 2025 (Qualcomm Inc.)
The Cybersecurity Internship – Summer 2025 at Qualcomm Inc. is a paid opportunity based in San Diego, California.
If you get one of these IT internships, you’ll work with various security teams on such tasks as anomaly detection, event monitoring, identity and access management, security architecture, and cybersecurity engineering operations.
During your summer internship, you’ll also join workshops to develop your skills, attend social events, hear from different experts, and listen to talks from executives.
Minimum requirements:
- Working toward a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, or related fields.
- Must be available for 11-14 weeks during Summer 2025 (May-September) with a graduation date of December 2025 or later.
Preferred requirements:
- Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, statistics, and machine learning/artificial intelligence.
- Knowledge of security frameworks, endpoint security, cryptography, forensics, phishing, and malware analysis.
- Experience with Windows & Linux (any distribution).
- Programming experience in Java, C, C++, C#, Python, Bash, Perl.
Pay range: $17.00-$98.00 per hour.
3. 2025 Summer Computer Science/Software/Cyber Security Intern (Hitachi Energy USA Inc.)
Hitachi Energy’s 2025 Summer Computer Science/Software/Cyber Security Intern program offers students a chance to get real experience and work on a variety of projects.
As a summer intern, you’ll tackle real problems, improve your technical skills, and prepare for your future career. You’ll play a key role in Hitachi Energy’s goal of building a sustainable and reliable energy future.
Hitachi expects students to come up with new ideas and show how they can make a real difference in solving global energy challenges. Interns will also get to work with teams from around the world on projects that affect Hitachi’s customers.
Requirements:
- Obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or cybersecurity.
- Applicants must already have authorization to work in the United States for Hitachi Energy.
- Ability to work across cultures.
- Good conceptual and analytical thinking.
Paid internship.
2. Campus – Cybersecurity Program Intern (Fannie Mae)
As part of Fannie Mae’s Campus – Cybersecurity Program Intern program, you’ll research threats and use automation to help protect the company.
You’ll work closely with other cybersecurity experts, learning from them and contributing to projects.
You’ll gain hands-on experience with the latest technology and help design, test, and implement software and processes.
You may also help with IT systems, cloud-based systems, data management, and security. By working with senior staff, you’ll apply what you know to create solutions and improve the company’s tools.
The program is flexible, Remote or in-office. However, Fannie Mae prefers employees who live near their offices so they can come in when needed.
Minimum requirements:
- Be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Rising seniors enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program or students enrolled in a master’s degree program (fall 2025/2026 graduation date); cybersecurity, information systems/technology majors are preferred.
- Technology-related certification(s), e.g., Security+, AWS Cloud.
- Understanding of access management, vulnerabilities, and risk.
- Knowledge of security frameworks, models, and concepts.
- Strong analytical skills to perform effective troubleshooting.
- Basic understanding of cybersecurity framework, e.g., NIST, OWASP.
Salary: $41.50 per hour.
1. NGA High School Student Intern Program – Summer 2025
One of the top cybersecurity internships, the NGA High School Student Intern Program – Summer 2025, is offered by the U.S. Department of Defense’s National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. This program is for high school students, age 16 or older, who are interested in working in geospatial intelligence.
As an intern, you’ll join an NGA team and work on real projects that help with important intelligence work. You could be analyzing data, making maps and visual tools, or helping with software development.
These tasks will show you how maps and location information are used to keep the country safe, help people during disasters, and support humanitarian aid. You’ll also get to join training sessions, work with mentors, and attend networking events with NGA staff, which will help you learn about different careers within the agency.
Eligibility requirements:
- U.S. citizen, at least 16 years old.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Demonstrate an interest in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
- Pass a security clearance check.
Salary: $21,986-$57,355 per year.
Applications for the summer 2025 internship must be submitted by September 30, 2024.
Tips to Get a Cybersecurity Internship
Here are some tips to help you get a cybersecurity internship:
- Learn the basics: Study cybersecurity basics, such as network security, hacking, and encryption, through courses or by learning on your own.
- Get certifications: Earn beginner certifications, such as CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker, to boost your resume.
- Practice skills: Try building a home lab, joining hacking contests, or working on open-source projects to gain hands-on experience.
- Build your resume: Highlight your skills, certifications, projects, and relevant coursework.
- Network: Join LinkedIn groups, attend webinars, and connect with people in cybersecurity.
- Apply to numerous internships: To increase your chances, apply early and to as many internships as possible.
- Personalize your applications: Adjust your resume and cover letter to fit each job.
- Showcase your soft skills: Highlight skills such as problem-solving and communication, as well as your ability to work well with others.
- Get ready for interviews: Practice answering common questions and be ready to discuss your skills.
- Stay informed: Follow the latest cybersecurity news and trends so you can show what you know in interviews.
The Bottom Line: Is a Cybersecurity Internship Worth It?
A cybersecurity internship is definitely worth it. When you apply for one of these cybersecurity internship jobs and become a cybersecurity intern you’ll get hands-on experience that can really help in your career. You’ll learn how to apply what you’ve studied in real-world situations, which is often different from what you might have learned in the classroom.
You’ll also learn from experts who can teach you about cybersecurity and show you the latest trends. This experience can help you create a great resume that will help you stand out to future employers. Talking to people who work in this field can also help you find jobs.
FAQs
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References
- Cybersecurity Consultant – Intern (2025) (Plantemoran.avature)
- Plante Moran Intern Hourly Pay | Glassdoor (Glassdoor)
- Cybersecurity Internship – Summer 2025 | Qualcomm Careers | Engineering Jobs and More | Qualcomm (Careers.qualcomm)
- 2025 Summer Computer Science/Software/Cyber Security Intern | Hitachi Energy (Hitachienergy)
- Fannie Mae Campus – Cybersecurity Program Intern (Flexible Hybrid) | SmartRecruiters (Jobs.smartrecruiters)
- USAJOBS – Job Announcement (Usajobs)