Security Analyst Jobs for OPT Students
Security Analyst roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in cybersecurity, computer science, or information systems. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this field include financial institutions, defense contractors, and technology companies.
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Get Access To All JobsRequisition Number: 222743
Job Description
Cintas is currently looking for an Information Security GRC Analyst II for the Compliance team within the IT Security GRC (Governance, Risk, Compliance) organization. The IT GRC Analyst II is responsible for: supporting Cintas IT Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) operations; identifying, recommending, driving and implementing improvements; supporting the organization and retention of evidential documentation for Policy and regulatory compliance and assessment of levels of risk; responsible for security procedures documentation, controls execution, monitoring, and reporting; coordinating and owning key GRC practices; participating in annual budgeting and planning processes related to Cintas IT GRC. The role will have a heavy involvement with assessing, designing, and implementing controls compliant with PCI DSS requirements. This position is required to be on-site at the Cintas corporate headquarters in Mason, OH.
Skills/Qualifications
Required:
- H.S. Diploma/GED required; bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline or its equivalent in related work experience preferred
- Minimum 4 years of experience in Information Technology
- Minimum 3 years of experience in IT Governance, Risk and/or Compliance
Preferred:
- Experience with PCI DSS
- Familiarity with SOX, NIST or other cybersecurity, compliance, and risk frameworks
Benefits
Cintas offers comprehensive and competitive medical, dental and vision benefits, with premiums below the national average. We offer flexibility with four different medical plan options; one plan is offered at zero cost.
Additionally, our employee-partners enjoy:
- Competitive Pay
- 401(k) with Company Match/Profit Sharing/Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance, 100% Company Paid
- Paid Time Off and Holidays
- Skills Development, Training and Career Advancement Opportunities
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in the U.S., Cincinnati, OH, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
Cintas Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic or category protected by local, state, or federal law.
This job posting will remain open for at least five (5) days.
Job Category: Information Technology
Organization: Corporate
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full Time
Shift: 1st Shift
Requisition Number: 222743
Job Description
Cintas is currently looking for an Information Security GRC Analyst II for the Compliance team within the IT Security GRC (Governance, Risk, Compliance) organization. The IT GRC Analyst II is responsible for: supporting Cintas IT Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) operations; identifying, recommending, driving and implementing improvements; supporting the organization and retention of evidential documentation for Policy and regulatory compliance and assessment of levels of risk; responsible for security procedures documentation, controls execution, monitoring, and reporting; coordinating and owning key GRC practices; participating in annual budgeting and planning processes related to Cintas IT GRC. The role will have a heavy involvement with assessing, designing, and implementing controls compliant with PCI DSS requirements. This position is required to be on-site at the Cintas corporate headquarters in Mason, OH.
Skills/Qualifications
Required:
- H.S. Diploma/GED required; bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline or its equivalent in related work experience preferred
- Minimum 4 years of experience in Information Technology
- Minimum 3 years of experience in IT Governance, Risk and/or Compliance
Preferred:
- Experience with PCI DSS
- Familiarity with SOX, NIST or other cybersecurity, compliance, and risk frameworks
Benefits
Cintas offers comprehensive and competitive medical, dental and vision benefits, with premiums below the national average. We offer flexibility with four different medical plan options; one plan is offered at zero cost.
Additionally, our employee-partners enjoy:
- Competitive Pay
- 401(k) with Company Match/Profit Sharing/Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance, 100% Company Paid
- Paid Time Off and Holidays
- Skills Development, Training and Career Advancement Opportunities
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in the U.S., Cincinnati, OH, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
Cintas Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic or category protected by local, state, or federal law.
This job posting will remain open for at least five (5) days.
Job Category: Information Technology
Organization: Corporate
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full Time
Shift: 1st Shift
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Security Analyst
Lead with your security clearance eligibility
Many Security Analyst roles require or prefer candidates eligible for U.S. security clearances. As an F-1 OPT student, you're generally not eligible for clearances, so target commercial sector roles at banks, cloud providers, and healthcare companies instead.
Emphasize STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Cybersecurity and information systems degrees typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Mention this early in your cover letter and interviews so employers understand you have up to 36 months of work authorization without H-1B sponsorship immediately.
Target employers with established OPT hiring tracks
Large financial institutions, healthcare systems, and technology companies hire Security Analysts regularly and have HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller firms without dedicated compliance staff often decline OPT candidates due to unfamiliarity, not unwillingness.
Certifications compensate for experience gaps
CompTIA Security+, CEH, or AWS Security certifications signal job-readiness to employers who may hesitate on OPT candidates. Holding a recognized certification before applying reduces perceived hiring risk and strengthens your application against candidates with more work history.
Address your OPT timeline proactively
Prepare a clear one or two sentence explanation of your authorization status and end date. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often overestimate complexity. Framing it as straightforward employer registration through E-Verify removes a common objection before it becomes a reason to pass.
Build a portfolio of practical security work
Capture threat analysis reports, vulnerability assessments, or CTF competition writeups in a portfolio. Security Analyst hiring managers evaluate analytical judgment directly, and documented practical work strengthens your case significantly when your U.S. work experience is limited by OPT timing.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Security Analyst jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Security Analyst positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in cybersecurity, computer science, information systems, or a related STEM field. The role itself must be directly related to your degree program. Confirm your degree's CIP code qualifies with your Designated School Official before applying, since the extension is tied to your field of study, not just the job title.
Will security clearance requirements block me from Security Analyst roles on OPT?
Many government-facing and defense contractor roles require U.S. security clearances that F-1 OPT students are not eligible for. This eliminates a portion of the Security Analyst market, but a substantial number of commercial sector roles at banks, cloud providers, healthcare systems, and SaaS companies carry no clearance requirement. Filtering your search to private sector employers opens up the majority of available positions. Migrate Mate lists OPT-eligible Security Analyst roles in the commercial sector.
Can I start a Security Analyst job before my OPT EAD card arrives?
No. You cannot begin working as a Security Analyst, or any paid role, until your EAD card is in hand and your OPT start date has been reached. Apply early and account for USCIS processing times of three to five months. Some students apply for OPT up to 90 days before their program end date to minimize the gap between graduation and when they can legally start work.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I get laid off from a Security Analyst role?
F-1 OPT students on post-completion OPT can accumulate up to 90 days of unemployment, or 150 days if on STEM OPT extension. A layoff counts toward that limit from your last day of employment. Report the job change to your DSO immediately and begin your search right away. Staying under the unemployment cap is critical to maintaining valid F-1 status.
Do Security Analyst employers need to do anything special to hire me on OPT?
For standard OPT, employers must enroll in E-Verify if they want to hire a STEM OPT extension student. For initial OPT, E-Verify is not required, but most large employers already participate. Your employer also needs to sign a training plan form as part of the STEM OPT extension application. Walking your HR contact through this process clearly, and early, significantly improves your chances of moving forward in the hiring process.
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