15 Cybersecurity Programs + Internships for High School Students

If you are a high school student interested in cybersecurity, structured programs and internships can help you explore how digital systems are protected and how security threats are identified and addressed. Through structured learning, technical exercises, and project-based work, you can build skills in network security, cryptography, ethical hacking, and data protection. Many of these opportunities also allow you to learn from experienced professionals and connect with peers who share an interest in technology and cybersecurity.

Why should you attend cybersecurity programs and internships?

Cybersecurity programs and internships allow you to develop technical and analytical skills while gaining exposure to how cybersecurity work is carried out in academic, research, and professional settings. In many programs, you may work on activities such as analyzing security vulnerabilities, studying digital forensics, learning secure coding practices, or examining how systems respond to cyber threats. These experiences can help you understand potential academic and career pathways in cybersecurity while building skills that are useful for future studies in computer science or information technology.

In this post, you’ll discover 15 cybersecurity internships and programs fo thigh school students.

If you’re looking for online STEM research programs, check out our blog here.

1. DHS Cybersecurity Internship Program

Location: Primarily Springfield, Virginia

Cost: Free; Paid internship

Dates: June – August

Application Deadline: Varies each year

Eligibility: At least 16 years old, enrolled in high school, college, or another accredited program related to IT or cybersecurity

The DHS Cybersecurity Internship Program gives you a unique chance to gain hands-on experience working with cybersecurity professionals in a federal environment. As an intern, you’ll work on real projects that protect critical systems and national security, exploring areas like threat detection, malware analysis, digital forensics, network security, and incident response. You’ll also get to see how cybersecurity tools and strategies are applied in a professional setting, building practical skills that go beyond the classroom. Along the way, you’ll connect with experts in the field, gain insight into government operations, and strengthen your resume with experience that can set you apart in this fast-growing industry.

2. Veritas AI programs

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid available

Dates: Rolling  Cohorts 

Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.

Eligibility: High school students.

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here. 

3. CISA - Scholarship for Service (SFS) Intern

Location: Remote

Stipend: Paid

Dates:10–20 weeks during the summer

Application Deadline: Varies depending on the posting

Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen enrolled in high school, college, or an accredited program related to IT/cybersecurity; Minimum GPA 2.0

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Scholarship for Service (SFS) Internship provides high school and college students with hands-on experience in federal cybersecurity roles. You’ll begin by completing tasks under close supervision and gradually take on more complex projects as your skills grow, giving you practical experience in areas like threat detection, digital forensics, network security, and incident response. The program offers exposure to real federal work, contributing to initiatives that protect national and infrastructure security, while also allowing you to learn the tools, technologies, and best practices used by cybersecurity professionals. 

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Tech Track

Location: Remote 

Cost: Varies as per program; financial aid available

Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available.

Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here

Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from cybersecurity, data science, computer science, engineering, and more.

5. NYU Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS)

Location: Brooklyn, NY (NYU Tandon School of Engineering)

Cost: Free (full scholarship)

Dates: July 14–August 8

Application Deadline: April 15

Eligibility: NYC residents currently in 10th or 11th grade

CS4CS is a four-week summer program hosted by New York University that introduces you to the fundamentals of cybersecurity in an engaging, beginner-friendly way. You’ll explore topics like ethical hacking, cryptography, digital forensics, and data privacy through hands-on labs and security analysis activities, with no prior coding or cybersecurity experience required. Beyond technical learning, the program also includes communication workshops based on theater techniques to help you build confidence in presenting ideas and collaborating with others. The curriculum gives you a clear view of how cybersecurity is applied in both academic research and real-world industry settings.

6. DCC’s Cybersecurity High School Summer Youth Apprenticeship Program

Location: Diversity Cyber Council, Atlanta, GA

Cost: Free

Dates: 8–10 weeks during the summer; Exact dates not specified

Application deadline: Not Specified

Eligibility: Must be an incoming high school junior/senior who has completed at least one computer science or related class with a passing grade

The eight- to ten-week summer apprenticeship by the Diversity Cyber Council (DCC) offers you a valuable opportunity to build real experience in technology and cybersecurity while strengthening your profile. Designed especially for students from underrepresented communities, the program combines instructor-led lessons with hands-on training to help you understand how cybersecurity works in practice. As part of the experience, you’ll prepare for and earn the CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification, adding a recognized credential to your college applications. Alongside technical learning, the program also emphasizes communication skills and an understanding of cybersecurity policy, supporting your overall growth as a future professional in the field.

7. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute

Location: Cambridge, MA (MIT campus and online)

Cost: Free

Dates:  July to early August

Application Deadline: March 31

Eligibility: U.S. high school students entering 12th grade 

BWSI is a four-week STEM program for rising high school seniors, hosted by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT’s School of Engineering. The program offers project-based courses in areas like autonomous systems, quantum computing, AI, remote sensing, and cybersecurity. Before the program begins, you must complete an online prerequisite course to be admitted. You can participate either in person at MIT or virtually, and the experience culminates in hands-on final projects or challenges such as autonomous drone racing or simulated disaster response. Throughout the program, you work in teams, building skills in problem-solving, coding, and engineering design while using professional tools such as Git and VS Code.

8. Sandia High School Internship Program

Location: Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (some remote options)

Stipend: Paid

Dates: May – August (summer Internship) with year-round internships available

Application Deadline: Varies by position; Typically opens in the fall and closes by early spring

Eligibility: U.S. citizens (16+) who are full-time high school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA

Sandia’s High School Internship Program gives you hands-on exposure to cybersecurity, software engineering, and secure systems research within a national security setting. Through the Intern Institute, you may work on real-world projects related to encryption, cyber-physical systems, or network security, guided by experienced Sandia researchers. The program provides technical training, competitive pay, and professional development opportunities, along with access to secure coding environments and testing platforms used in advanced research. Projects vary by lab and location, and in some cases, you may have the opportunity to continue working year-round with supervisor approval.

9. NSLC’s Cybersecurity High School Summer Program

Location: Johns Hopkins University Campus, Baltimore, MD

Cost: $4,295

Dates: Session 1: July 12 — July 20 | Session 2: July 24 — July 2

Application deadline: Doesn’t list a fixed deadline

Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 18 who have completed at least one year of high school.

The NSLC Cybersecurity Summer Program is a nine-day experience designed for high school students interested in becoming ethical hackers. Through immersive simulations, you’ll explore areas such as digital forensics, cryptography, and Internet of Things (IoT) security, mirroring real cybersecurity challenges. The program also includes workshops focused on essential soft skills such as communication, resilience, and empathy, led by industry professionals. You’ll take part in field visits to learn how organizations like the FBI and Google approach cybersecurity, and you may even have the option to earn American University college credits, adding extra value to your college applications.

10.  MITRE High School Internship Program

Location: MITRE (primarily Bedford, MA, and McLean, VA) + other U.S. sites 

Stipend: Paid

Dates: Late May – August for 10-12 weeks

Application Deadline: Rolling 

Eligibility: U.S. high school students with strong academic records; Must be eligible to work in the U.S.

MITRE’s selective summer internships place you on real research teams working at the intersection of cybersecurity, systems engineering, data science, and software security. You may explore areas such as threat modeling, applied cryptography, and infrastructure defense while working with tools like Python, Linux, and simulation frameworks. The program includes close mentorship, technical talks, and exposure to federally funded research projects addressing real-world challenges. You’ll also take part in MITRE’s Learning Track Program, where you can build skills in secure coding, AI, and human-centered technology design, gaining both technical knowledge and professional insight.

11.  Wright Scholar Research Assistant Program

Location: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH

Stipend: Paid 

Dates: June 8 – August 31

Application Deadline: January 10

Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors (GPA ≥ 3.5), age 16+ by June 1

The Wright Scholar Program places you inside real Department of Defense research labs, where you can work alongside teams focused on cybersecurity, electronic warfare, and autonomous systems. Over eight weeks, you’ll contribute full-time to a dedicated research project under the guidance of an AFRL mentor, working on tasks that may involve simulation, data analysis, or secure software prototyping. Depending on your placement, you might be matched with groups specializing in threat modeling, system resilience, or digital signal processing. This paid research opportunity is designed as a serious, full-time commitment that offers you an authentic experience of working in a high-level defense research environment.

12. Northeastern University’s Cybersecurity & Privacy Program

Location: Northeastern University’s Boston Campus, MA

Cost: $7,095

Dates: July 12-24 or July 26-August 7

Application deadline:  Accepted until all spaces are filled

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors/seniors should possess basic coding knowledge.

This two-week cybersecurity program at Northeastern University immerses you in the fundamentals of digital security through interactive lectures, practical experiments, project work, and team-based challenges. Guided by Northeastern faculty and alumni, you’ll investigate topics like network and system security, online privacy, trust in technology, and ethical issues in cybersecurity. Lab sessions give you the chance to apply these concepts in real scenarios, helping you understand how they work beyond theory. By the end of the program, you’ll earn a Recognition of Completion that can strengthen your college applications and showcase your interest in the field.

13. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Virtual/George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus (Manassas, VA), the Potomac Science Center (Woodbridge Campus), or the Fairfax Campus, VA

Cost: $1,299+ $25 application fee 

Dates: June 18 – August 12

Application Deadline:  February 15

Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old (for remote and in-person/hybrid computer labs)

The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) is an eight-week, full-time research experience that pairs you one-on-one with a faculty mentor to work on a real STEM project. Depending on your placement, you might explore areas such as machine learning, computer science, bioengineering, or cybersecurity while contributing to ongoing research. Along the way, you’ll build strong scientific writing and communication skills, take part in forums with STEM professionals, and gain experience that could even lead to conference presentations or publications. 

14. Johns Hopkins ASPIRE Internship

Location: Virtual/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD

Cost: None

Dates: June 23–August 21

Application Deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Current or rising high school juniors or seniors who are at least 15 years old with a minimum 2.8 GPA. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. 

The ASPIRE Program at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is an unpaid summer tech internship for high school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens and live in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area. The program runs for 6 to 9 weeks, with a commitment of up to 40 hours per week. You are paired with an APL mentor and work on a project aligned with your interests, such as coding, data analysis, cybersecurity, AI, or hardware. Past projects have included developing Python tools, testing AI systems to detect cyber threats, and applying cryptography to secure systems. At the end of the program, you present your work through a digital poster showcasing your project and learning.

15. Girls Who Code Summer Programs

Location: Virtual

Cost: None; SIP students may receive a needs-based grant of $300

Dates: TBA

Application Deadline: April 10

Eligibility: Current 9th to 11th graders for the SIP, 9th–12th graders for the Pathways program. Applicants must identify as girls or non-binary individuals

Girls Who Code runs two free virtual summer experiences to help you grow your coding skills and explore careers in tech. In the Summer Immersion Program, you spend two weeks in a live, instructor-led course focused on game design while learning core computer science ideas, UX basics, and how to design through iteration. The Pathways Program lasts six weeks and moves at your own pace, introducing you to areas like cybersecurity, data science, web development, and AI. You’ll practice with languages such as Python, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, and attend live events featuring speakers from the tech industry.

Image source - Northeastern Logo