The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced it is beginning to accept applications for the Secretary’s 2016 Honors Program Cyber Student Volunteer Initiative.
Created in 2013, the initiative selects student applicants pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees related to cybersecurity to complete supporting cybersecurity activities at one of several department organizations. The volunteers gain hands-on experience and exposure to cybersecurity work performed across the department.
“The Department is committed to expanding our cybersecurity workforce and developing future professionals. In support of this goal, the selected students will gain invaluable experience while supporting activities such as cyber threat analysis, digital forensics, network diagnostics and incident response, while participating in mentoring and professional development events with DHS managers and senior leaders,” the department said in a statement.
The initiative was expanded in 2015 to comprise over 50 student assignments across over 30 states, the department said. The more than 50 students chosen for the initiative will begin their volunteer assignments starting in the spring of 2016.
The students will conduct their assignments at agencies including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, National Protection and Programs Directorate, Management Directorate/Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Office of Policy/Cyber, Infrastructure and Resilience Policy, Transportation Security Administration, and the United States Coast Guard.
Potential applicants must visit USAJOBS to start the process.