Programs
Cyber Defense Center leverages experience gained from internal training and external outreach programs to build scalable programs to disseminate cybersecurity training to the next generation of students. Our staff has significant experience developing and teaching cyber programs in public high schools, college environments, corporate entities, and the military.
Traditional Education is Ineffective for Cybersecurity
Most computer science students do not learn critical cybersecurity skills until they are in their mid to late 20’s (graduate school). High Schools (even “Magnet / STEM” programs) turn out students with a relatively uniform set of generalized skills. College Bachelor of Computer Science programs teach some cybersecurity but not enough to be workforce-effective upon graduation. Graduate programs offer more depth in cybersecurity but by the time textbooks are written and curriculums designed they are sometimes outdated in the operational sector.
Critical topics like malware analysis, offensive payloads, and social engineering are taught in expensive specialty seminars put on by hackers for hackers and are generally not covered in schools until postgraduate courses. The current academic landscape above, coupled with the absence of practical application and referenceable experience, results in a student completing a program with no real-world knowledge of cybersecurity.
What We Offer
Cyber Defense Center trains the next generation of cyber warriors in this rapidly evolving field by developing and delivering STEM and cybersecurity curricula via Internships for current and returning college students, and Cyber Camps for K-12 students.
Internships
Required:
- Have availability to spend a minimum of 20 hours per month in the Dallas, Texas office.
- A desire to keep learning, extending your skills, and pushing the boundaries of your knowledge.
- Basic understanding of information technology and cybersecurity.
- Be willing to present to the group any findings from research projects and share research Information with others in the group.
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Co-Op
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Highschool
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Mock SOC
Required:
- Acceptance/enrollment in the Internship program.
- A drive to explore and conquer the same monitoring tools used by professionals in the field.
- Innate curiosity to learn the intricacies of responsibilities, policies, procedures, and expectations inherent in a genuine cybersecurity role.
- A genuine interest in diverse disciplines like forensics, incident response planning/application, threat hunting, malware analysis, system administration, and system engineering.
Cyber Camps
Required:
- A strong desire to work and learn.
- A firm grasp of math and science.
- A laptop computer and reliable transportation to and from the camp location (either on-campus or at HQ).
REVIEWS FROM FORMER INTERNS
Aris P.
(Summer Internship, 2023)
I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate in the cyber internship program. It served as an exceptional foundation and a pivotal first step into the world of cybersecurity. Getting to hear and learn about how cyber threats are handled in the office as well as helping out through blog articles and intel threat reports helped me learn more and grow more fond of learning cybersecurity.
Neureka K.
(Summer Internship, 2023)
CDC’s Internship has helped me gain real-world knowledge of cybersecurity with a better understanding of the career path. I have also identified certain aspects of the field that I am interested in (from the training) and will possibly consider.
I enjoyed it because I got to see how professionals in the field deal with cyber issues, and I really enjoyed contributing to the blog posts since it gave me a chance to do my own research.
Anonymous Submission
(Summer Internship, 2023)
The intern program has provided multiple training opportunities through Securonix and Teams (weekly training topics). It is also giving me some hands-on experience with OSINT. The program is helping me decide what area of cybersecurity will be the best fit for me. The internship has provided great networking opportunities with both interns and Blackswan employees.
Anonymous Submission
(Summer Internship, 2023)
I believe the intern program is doing what it was intended to do: providing hands-on experience and growth opportunities in a workforce office environment – both of which are valuable, helpful, and normally challenging for students to acquire.
Contact Us
469-431-2486
info@uscyberdefensecenter.org
13717 Neutron Road, Dallas, TX 75244
Monday-Friday: 8am – 5pm
Get Started
Please use the form below to inquire more info about program involvement, equipment and/or financial contributions, or any other questions or comments.