Information Security Engineer Internships
Information security engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience protecting real systems, mentorship from working security engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Tesla, Oracle, and State of North Carolina Department of Information Technology among the employers posting roles now.
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Department of Information TechnologyDivision
Job Classification Title
S-Information Technology (NS)Position Number
Grade
TSAbout Us
The N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) serves as the Technology Center for the State of NC. Services that NCDIT provides reach a client base of state and local government agencies, as well as schools, colleges and universities. NCDIT’s mission is to enable trusted business-driven solutions that meet the needs of North Carolinians. NCDIT provides technology services to state agencies and is charged with closing the digital divide by expanding availability of broadband services and promoting the adoption of affordable, high-speed internet.
Description of Work
NC Department of Information Technology Internship Program Fall/Winter 2026The NC Department of Information Technology offers two (2) internship programs designed for people at all stages looking to enter the technology field. Interns are paid $20 per hour and work 20 to 40 hours a week in both programs, either fully onsite or on a hybrid schedule, depending on the position requirements and location. While providing "real-world" work experience, ensuring interns contribute to the day-to-day operations of the NC Department of Information Technology.
Preference is given to candidates who either reside in North Carolina or are within a three-hour commute of the assigned duty station for the internship.
The Fall/Winter 2026 internship will start on September 28, 2026 and will conclude on March 26, 2027.
Future Technologist
- People who do not yet have technology-related education or experience
- High school students and candidates with limited IT-related education and experience
- Individuals who may be seeking a new career path in an IT-related field but with limited education and experience
NCDIT Tech Internship
- Students in IT-related degree programs attending a North Carolina college or university
- North Carolina residents attending equivalent out-of-state institutions in IT-related degree programs
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
Intern – DAC/DPS Information Security Officer
The intern will support software validation activities, assist with creating security awareness and educational materials, and contribute to IT Security Office services awareness and professional development efforts.
Minimum Education and Experience
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.
EEO Statement
T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.
Recruiter:
Anaja Lakeiya McClintonRecruiter Email:
dit_hr_recruitment@nc.gov
Information Security Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Information Security Engineer Internship Search
Apply in fall for summer security internships
Large technology companies, defense contractors, and financial institutions open summer internship applications as early as August. Waiting until spring means competing for a much smaller pool of late-posted roles. Set a reminder to start your search at the beginning of the academic fall semester.
Build a portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for information security engineer interns evaluate technical evidence, not job history. Document two or three hands-on projects, CTF challenge write-ups, home-lab setups, or vulnerability research, in a public GitHub repo or personal site so recruiters have something concrete to assess when your resume has limited work experience.
Combine campus recruiting with direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Your professors and career center staff may know which security employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach.
Practice your technical screen out loud before interviews
Information security engineer intern screens typically involve a technical component covering networking fundamentals, operating system concepts, and scenario-based security questions. Practice explaining your reasoning as you work through problems, interviewers weigh how you think about a threat or vulnerability as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured security internship programs early
Many large employers run dedicated security or cybersecurity rotational cohorts designed to train candidates new to the field. These programs recruit ahead of general internship postings and fill fast. Identify the ones that fit your background, note their application open dates, and submit in the first wave rather than waiting for reminders.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the information security engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can actually commit to before you start reviewing listings, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you are not sorting through roles you cannot accept.
Information Security Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an information security engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. Build a portfolio with documented security labs, CTF write-ups, or home-lab configurations so recruiters have something concrete to evaluate. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where security recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an information security engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it most for information security engineer interns is performance on real work, team headcount at offer time, and return-offer timelines that vary by company. Deliver on your assigned projects, ask questions that show security instincts, and treat the internship as an audition without counting on the outcome.
When should I apply for information security engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large technology companies, defense contractors, and financial institutions recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with many application windows opening in August and September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round and a missed fall cycle does not close off all options.
Are information security engineer internships paid?
Most professional information security engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Government and nonprofit roles occasionally offer unpaid or stipend-based positions, so check the listing details before applying.
What should an information security engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented security projects that name the tools used and link to a GitHub repo, CTF profile, or write-up where the recruiter can verify the work. Add relevant coursework in networking, cryptography, or operating systems. Keep it to one page.
Are there remote information security engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the information security engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote security internship cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see those roles before they close.
What is a security operations center (SOC) analyst internship?
A SOC analyst internship places you inside a security operations team monitoring alerts, triaging incidents, and supporting threat detection in real time. It targets candidates new to applied security work and is one of the most common entry points for information security engineer interns. SOC programs at larger companies recruit early and are competitive, so apply in the first wave of postings.
Can international students get information security engineer internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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