Cybersecurity Intern - Summer 2027

American Electric Power•Columbus, OH

About The Position

American Electric Power’s Summer Internship Program is a paid program lasting 10 to 12 weeks. The Cybersecurity Intern works alongside cybersecurity professionals and gains exposure to how cybersecurity protects an enterprise organization, its systems, data, and technology. The intern participates in cybersecurity projects and technology initiatives, supports analysis and security activities, and learns about cybersecurity functions in a large enterprise environment. The internship offers opportunities to learn from industry leaders, collaborate with a team, receive mentorship, and work on individual projects. Training and development programs are provided to help interns build skills and understanding of the electric utility industry. By the end of the internship, the intern is expected to have a stronger understanding of how enterprise cybersecurity functions work together to protect people, systems, information, and technology.

Requirements

Pursuing an associate and/or bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Graduation date must be December 2027 or later.
Position is not eligible for sponsorship; OPT and CPT are not eligible.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated interest in cybersecurity, information security, information technology, or related technical fields.
Basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts such as security controls, threats and vulnerabilities, authentication and authorization, network security, data protection, or risk management.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
Ability to organize, analyze, and interpret information or data.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively.
Curiosity and willingness to learn new technologies, cybersecurity concepts, tools, and processes.
Experience with Microsoft Excel or other tools used to organize, analyze, or present data.
Exposure to programming or scripting languages such as Python, PowerShell, Java, JavaScript, or SQL.
Familiarity with cybersecurity tools, cloud technologies, operating systems, networking, or security concepts.
Previous technical experience through coursework, academic projects, student organizations, internships, part-time employment, labs, or personal projects.
Participation in cybersecurity-related coursework, competitions, student organizations, certifications, labs, or independent learning.

Responsibilities

Work alongside cybersecurity professionals and learn how cybersecurity protects enterprise systems, data, and technology.
Participate in cybersecurity projects and technology initiatives supporting the organization’s security program.
Analyze data and information to identify trends, potential risks, issues, and opportunities to improve cybersecurity processes.
Support cybersecurity assessments, reviews, testing, or monitoring activities as needed by the team.
Document cybersecurity processes, procedures, requirements, findings, and security controls.
Research emerging cybersecurity technologies, threats, vulnerabilities, and industry practices.
Collaborate with cybersecurity, business, and technology teams to understand security needs and contribute to projects and initiatives.
Identify opportunities to improve security processes, controls, and operational efficiency.
Help prepare reports, documentation, presentations, and other materials communicating cybersecurity findings and project updates.
Participate in team meetings and learning opportunities to build knowledge of cybersecurity practices in a large enterprise environment.