What do you need to know to land a software security internship? For starters, some experience with cyber security technologies and activities is beneficial.
Cyber security is a hot topic in today’s market, and many students pursuing computer science degrees are trying to get an edge in the field by applying for cyber security internships.
First and foremost, job security is crucial in a competitive world, and this field is not looking to slow down anytime soon. As much as I cannot stand helicopter parents, this should set your mom and dad at ease!
According to the 2018 Cyber Incident and & Breach Trends Report from the Online Trust Alliance, the number of breaches in 2017 almost doubled from 2016. The most notable headline winners are
And let’s not forget ransomware! Mobile ransomware rose over 250% during the first quarter of 2017 over the previous quarter. The FBI estimates there are 4,000 ransomware attacks a day.
So what do you need to know to start the cyber security internship process? For starters, experience with the following technologies and activities are beneficial:
According to Parsia Hakimian, senior security consultant at Synopsys, “A good intern should have a passion for learning and an interest in connecting with people in the industry. We look for students who have a work/life balance; otherwise you will burn out too quickly. I also look for someone who has basic knowledge in many aspects of security. Variety is good.”
You may be thinking, “You mean they need to like me?” And the answer to that is, well, yeah. The technical knowledge, obviously, will land you an interview, but from there you need to bring your EQ. You can put a lot on your resume, but you can’t put your personality on it. According to Laszlo Bock, who ran HR for Google, degrees are less important than interpersonal skills.
At Synopsys we embrace inclusion and diversity, enriching our staff with representatives of different genders, races, and nationalities. Diverse teams are more innovative and make better decisions by understanding the needs of a broader set of customers. Most importantly, we believe that a diverse population makes Synopsys a great place to work, and we strive to ensure we have an environment where everyone is welcome and can thrive in their career.
Nina Avery is a talent acquisition manager at Synopsys. She brings a wealth of experience to the organization having hired technical talent across multiple industries for over a decade. Nina brings a passion for business, strategic process improvement, analytics, and customer service to the organization. She oversees an international team of professionals who believe in the value of software security and are committed to ensuring that Synopsys continues to hire the best in class. Nina holds a master’s degree from SUNY Stony Brook, is a mother of two, and in her spare time can be found at the gym or yoga studio.