CCN Cybersecurity Internship Program
A Two-Tiered Internship Pathway from the Classroom to the Cyber Frontlines
As part of our mission to strengthen North Carolina’s cybersecurity workforce ecosystem, the Carolina Cyber Network (CCN) offers students access to paid, real-world internships that connect classroom learning with the demands of today’s workforce. Employers are increasingly emphasizing experience and practical readiness in addition to traditional credentials, making internships like these critical. CCN’s program is built to address this gap, helping students graduate with:
- Hands-on technical experience
- Recognized technical credentials
- Essential life and professional skills (communication, teamwork, ethical judgment)
- Mentorship from industry and government experts
- Professional readiness aligned with employer expectations in critical infrastructure sectors, like healthcare, finance, local government, and defense
The CCN internship pathway is not just experiential, it’s transformational. It is designed to prepare students not just to graduate, but to compete, contribute, and lead in cybersecurity roles from day one. The two-tiered structure is designed to support students at different points in their academic journey, ensuring each experience is aligned with their readiness, goals, and future aspirations.
All internships are paid at $15/hour, offered in remote or hybrid format, and vary in duration and scope based on host organization needs.
TIER 1: Foundational Internships
Eligibility:
First- and second-year cybersecurity students with a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least 12 completed credit hours of cybersecurity coursework are encouraged to apply for the CyberSafe Internship.
Students in their second year (or later) are encouraged to apply for the Applied Cyber Operations Internship (formerly SOC).
Through programs like CyberSafe Communities and the Applied Cyber Operations initiative, Tier 1 interns work on:
- Security monitoring and documentation
- User education and awareness activities
- Basic security operations support
These internships build early technical confidence and professional exposure, helping students understand the field and prepare for more advanced roles.
How to Apply:
Students must apply through their college, which must be a CCN member institution. Contact your instructor or program director.
- Application Period: March 23 – April 24, 2026
- Interview Period: June 1 – July 31, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in interviews with the CCN.
- Selection Notifications: All applicants who participated in interviews will be notification of their selection status by August 7, 2026
- Internship Start Date: September 1, 2026. Additional onboarding details and program expectations will be provided prior to the start date.
Select your college program director
College
Name / Email
Blue Ridge Community College
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Catawba Valley Community College
Cleveland Community College
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Forsyth Technical Community College
Gaston College
Isothermal Community College
Johnston Community College
Mitchell Community
Montreat College
North Carolina A&T State University
Piedmont Community College
Pitt Community College
Randolph Community College
Richmond Community College
Rowan-Cabarrus
Sandhills Community College
Stanly Community College
UNC at Wilmington
Wake Technical Community College
Wayne Community College
Wilkes Community College
Applied Cyber Operations Internship
All member schools are eligible for Applied Cyber Operations internships both terms
All member schools are eligible for Applied Cyber Operations internships both terms
Students will gain hands-on experience in key areas of Security Operations Center (SOC) work, using both commercial and open-source tools for monitoring, scanning, scripting, and penetration testing. Interns complete 160 hours of remote work for the semester, with a maximum of 20 hours per week.
CyberSafe Communities Internships
Fall 2026 Internships
Fall 2026 Internships
The CyberSafe Communities Internship Program is designed to provide cybersecurity students from CCN member schools with hands-on experience by conducting cybersecurity awareness workshops and assessments for small businesses, municipalities, and public service agencies. Through this initiative, students will help strengthen cybersecurity resilience within their communities while gaining practical skills in security evaluation, risk assessment, and client engagement.
Fall 2026
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Cleveland Community College
- Catawba Valley Community College
- Fayetteville Tech Community College
- Johnston Community College
- Mitchell Community College
- North Carolina A&T State University
- Pitt Community College
- Sandhills Community College
- Stanly Community College
- UNC at Wilmington
- Wilkes Community College
TIER 2: Advanced Internships
Eligibility:
Students in their second year (or later) who have completed CyberSafe Communities, the Applied Cyber Operations (formerly SOC), or a comparable IT/cyber internship.
Tier 2 internships provide students with higher-level responsibilities through partnerships with:
- Government agencies
- Defense contractors
- Private sector cybersecurity teams
Students engage in:
- Compliance and risk assessment
- Incident detection and response
- Advanced security operations and analysis
How to Apply:
Students apply directly to the Carolina Cyber Network. CCN reviews applications and matches interns with roles aligned with their technical skills, experience level, and long-term career goals.
- Application Period: March 23 – April 24, 2026
- Interview Period: June 15 – July 10, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in interviews with the CCN.
- Selection Notifications: All applicants who participated in interviews will be notification of their selection status by July 31, 2026
- Internship Start Date: September 1, 2026. Additional onboarding details and program expectations will be provided prior to the start date.
North Carolina State Agencies and Industry Internships
Applications will be accepted March 23 - April 24, 2026
Applications will be accepted March 23 - April 24, 2026
The Carolina Cyber Network (CCN) connects students from CCN member institutions with real-world cybersecurity internships across North Carolina. Through partnerships with industry, government, and nonprofit organizations, CCN offers hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for successful cybersecurity careers. CCN internships provide opportunities to apply classroom learning in professional environments, build technical and soft skills, and contribute to meaningful cybersecurity projects that support local and statewide needs.
Applications will be accepted March 23 – April 24, 2026
