Information Security Intern Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Information security interns are commonly sponsored on H-1B visa, OPT, or CPT visas, as cybersecurity roles typically qualify as specialty occupations requiring a degree in computer science, information systems, or a related technical field. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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INTRODUCTION
The Vice President (VP), Information Security & Risk is responsible for leading the execution and continuous improvement of the Thresholds information security and risk management program. The scope of the program is the protection of Thresholds’ information and technology assets as well as Thresholds’ digital data in the cloud. The VP, Information Security & Risk is accountable for fulfilling the program’s protection and compliance requirements while enabling innovation, analytics, and digital transformation in a secure and compliant manner; provides strong technical leadership; and serves as a trusted advisor to the Chief Information Officer and agency leaders in addition to serving as the agency’s designated security official.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Security Operations and Execution
- Manages the day-to-day information security operations, including security posture and event monitoring, threat and vulnerability identification, policy violation, access control and attack surface monitoring, monitoring the effectiveness of email and URL filtering, and incident response activities.
- Manages the remediation of security issues, policy violation, ineffective rules for access control, attack surface reduction, and email/URL filtering as well as the creation and maintenance of standard operating procedures for security operations.
- Develops and maintains dashboard(s) of security operations KPI’s for Information Technology (IT/ITS) management review.
Application, Cloud, Digital, Infrastructure and Platform Security
- Supports secure implementation and operation of applications, cloud services, infrastructure, and platforms (cloud, digital, end-user, and server).
- Partners with Information Technology Services (ITS) and digital teams to incorporate needed security controls into the design, development, and deployment of Thresholds applications, cloud services, infrastructure, and platforms.
- Performs and/or coordinates risk reviews of application and digital systems, and their underlying configurations.
Data Security and Privacy
- Manages the IT Risk Management Program using Thresholds’ risk management tool to record and assess identified risks, assign a risk owner, track risk treatment progress in the risk register, and provide risk management reporting to ITS leadership.
- Leads enterprise, regulatory, service provider, and project IT risk assessments.
- Supports internal and external audits, regulatory reviews, and customer or partner security inquiries.
Policy, Awareness & Documentation
- Owns development and enforcement of the Information Security & Risk Management Program’s policies, standards, and procedures, as well as the agency’s Acceptable Use Policies.
- Leads or oversees security awareness and training programs for the agency and the ITS staff.
- Maintains and improves the Incident Response Playbook.
Collaboration and Continuous Improvement
- Serves as a trusted advisor to business units and project teams on matters related to AI security, application security, information security, network security, AI risk, IT risk, regulatory compliance, emerging threats, social engineering, data classification; promoting security as a mission enabler for Thresholds.
- Promotes a strong, practical security/risk culture that balances protection with usability and business needs.
- Influences decisions by clearly articulating risk, tradeoffs, and recommendations.
Program Leadership and Strategy Execution
- Embeds security by design principles into system implementations, vendor selection, and operational processes.
- Translates security strategy into actionable roadmaps, initiatives, and measurable outcomes.
- Stays current on evolving AI and cyber threats, data protection practices, and regulatory requirements.
Vulnerability and Threat Management
- Manages the Vulnerability Management Program using Thresholds’ vulnerability management tools to identify and assess vulnerabilities, assigns a vulnerability treatment owner, tracks vulnerability treatment progress in the vulnerability register, and provides vulnerability management reporting to IT leadership.
- Reviews threat intelligence to identify potential negative impacting issues and proactively performs remedial actions to block or avoid the threat(s).
- Provides threat action summaries to ITS leadership.
Team Leadership and Development
- Directly manages, mentors, and develops security staff; setting performance goals and supporting career growth.
- Provides technical guidance and decision support to security team members and cross-functional partners.
- Helps shape workforce planning, resource allocation, and budget inputs for security initiatives.
Education:
- Accredited bachelor’s degree in information security, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent experience) required.
Experience:
Required
- Minimum of seven (7) Years of progressive experience in information security, cybersecurity, data protection, or IT risk management.
- Minimum of three (3) Years of experience leading teams or major security/risk management programs.
- Hands-on experience with security operations, incident response, risk assessments, or compliance activities.
- Working knowledge of security and risk frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls), AI security and risk management best practices, regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, PCI DSS), Microsoft security and risk management tools, identify and access management, network access controls, data loss prevention, and SIEM systems.
- Demonstrated ability to explain security risk and control matter to non-technical audiences.
Preferred
- Experience supporting cloud environments, SaaS platforms, or digital transformation initiatives.
- Experience in a mid-sized, non-profit and/or regulated organization.
- Familiarity with data analytics, and reporting tools.
- Familiarity with computer forensic techniques.
- Demonstrated experience partnering with leaders/senior leaders and influencing outcomes.
SKILLS/CERTIFICATIONS
- Security certifications (e.g. CISSP, CISM, Security+, CCSP)
- Microsoft certified
- Demonstrated and effective analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Practical, risk-based approach to security
- Clear interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral
- Policy writing
- Scripting languages, preferably PowerShell
- Collaboration and relationship management
- Attention to detail and follow-through
- High integrity and discretion
- Demonstrated project management and people management skills
- Strategic execution and program ownership
- Demonstrated effective cross-functional collaboration
What Sets Thresholds Apart:
- Competitive pay – Salary Range: $155,000.00 - 175,000.00 annually
- Generous PTO (9 federal holidays, 8 days of sick leave, 15-22 days personal and vacation)
- Dental insurance, vision insurance, choice of 3 medical insurance plans
- 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
- Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
Thresholds is a mission-driven agency with a deep commitment to fostering an environment where all feel valued and respected, a place where every employee can be themselves, thrive, and support the agency’s mission.
One of the oldest and largest community mental health organizations in Illinois, we pride ourselves in being a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and one of Chicago’s 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For, several years in a row.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an Information Security Intern
Target employers with an H-1B filing history
Large tech companies, defense contractors, and financial institutions file H-1B petitions regularly. Filtering for employers with a track record of sponsoring security roles signals they understand the process and have legal infrastructure in place.
Clarify your degree field early
Information security roles require a directly related degree, computer science, cybersecurity, or information systems. A general business or unrelated degree may not satisfy specialty occupation requirements, so clarify alignment with the employer's job description upfront.
Use OPT or CPT to get your foot in the door
Many sponsorship-track internships begin under OPT or CPT. Completing an internship under student work authorization lets you demonstrate value before an employer commits to H-1B sponsorship for a full-time role.
Ask specifically about conversion to full-time sponsorship
During interviews, confirm whether the internship has a defined conversion path to a sponsored full-time position. Internships without a conversion pipeline are less useful if your goal is long-term U.S. work authorization.
Highlight security certifications alongside your degree
Credentials like CompTIA Security+, CEH, or coursework in network security strengthen your specialty occupation case. They signal technical depth that supports the employer's position when filing your visa petition with USCIS.
Understand the H-1B lottery timeline relative to internship end dates
If your internship converts to a full-time role, your employer must file the H-1B petition in April for an October start. Plan your OPT end date and graduation timing around this annual window to avoid gaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do information security internships qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Information security roles generally qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field, typically computer science, cybersecurity, or information systems. Internships themselves are rarely sponsored directly under H-1B, but many employers use the internship to evaluate candidates before sponsoring full-time hires. F-1 students typically work as interns under CPT or OPT instead.
Can I do an information security internship on CPT or OPT?
Yes. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows you to work as an information security intern while enrolled, provided the internship is integral to your degree program. Optional Practical Training (OPT) can be used after graduation, with a 24-month STEM extension available for cybersecurity and computer science graduates. Both pathways are common entry points before an employer sponsors H-1B status.
Does my degree field affect sponsorship eligibility for this role?
It matters significantly. USCIS evaluates whether the degree field directly relates to the job duties. Computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, and electrical engineering are strong matches. A degree in an unrelated field, even paired with relevant work experience, can complicate the specialty occupation determination. If your degree is borderline, employers with experienced immigration counsel are better positioned to build that case.
Where can I find information security internships that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is the best starting point, it's built specifically for international candidates and filters for roles where employers have a documented history of visa sponsorship. General job boards don't reliably surface sponsorship-willing employers, which wastes application time when you're working against OPT or CPT deadlines.
Will a security clearance requirement affect my sponsorship options?
Yes, significantly. Many federal contractor information security internships require a U.S. security clearance, which is generally unavailable to non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This eliminates a large portion of the market. Focus your search on private-sector employers in finance, healthcare IT, or commercial tech, where clearance requirements are less common and H-1B sponsorship pipelines are well established.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Information Security Intern jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.