Academic Cybersecurity Intern

Cyber Security Internship 

Basic information 

Job description 

Position: Academic Cybersecurity Intern 

Open seats for interns: 10 Location: Remote 

Company: I.R.D.I. Business Group®, LLC 

Duration: Fall 2026, 3 to 6 months 

Compensation: Unpaid. This internship is unpaid and classified as a volunteer position. 

Hours: Select your own hours 

CPT OR OPT: is not available or accepted for this position. 

Must be an American citizen and eligible to legally work in the United States. 

Role Overview 

Welcome to our Fall 2026 Cybersecurity academic internship. This is a challenging time for American industries under attack. If you have always wanted to apply your cybersecurity training skills to protect American industries, we want to hear from you. 

This internship provides a unique opportunity to work closely with our experienced cybersecurity professionals and gain practical experience in protecting global business operations. You will assist in securing our systems, monitoring for potential threats, and developing strategies to safeguard our digital assets globally. 

Global experience adds unprecedented gravity and merit to your credentials. Distinguishing yourself from the competition in your field and rising to the top by becoming a transnational practitioner of the industry. 

Cybersecurity interns will join collaborative teams composed of interns from across the nation. This structure is designed to enhance knowledge exchange among practitioners from diverse educational backgrounds nationwide. You'll gain insights from their experience, and they'll become a valuable part of your professional network. 

All interns who successfully complete their skills confirmation process will receive a Letter of 

Recommendation confirming skills and proficiency from the President of I.R.D.I. Business Group®, LLC, at the end of the Fall 2026 semester. 

Only interns who have successfully completed their 3-month skills confirmation will be eligible to join paid projects.  Job offers will be made only to interns who have successfully completed their skills confirmation review period. 

Note: Due to the limited availability of college credit-earning intern positions, we prioritize selecting interns who have volunteered with us for at least 3 months and are currently enrolled for Fall 2026 semester. Proof of enrolment will be required.

About Us 

I.R.D.I. Business Group® LLC (http://irdiworld.com) is a global commerce and economic development firm founded in California in 2003. The organization designs and executes real-world economic strategy projects across international trade, market development, business intelligence, and cross-border partnerships.

In 2007, the firm received formal recognition from the State of California for its leadership supporting California’s boutique wine industry during a period of economic disruption. Since then, the organization has expanded its national and international engagement, supporting manufacturers, public agencies, and emerging enterprises.

Students working with I.R.D.I. Business Group® LLC gain direct exposure to real-world industry projects aligned with their academic major and career goals. Participants contribute to live national and global initiatives involving applied research, strategy development, data analysis, professional communications, and execution. This hands-on experience accelerates industry readiness and builds practical skills that translate directly into competitive career pathways.

This program is designed for motivated students seeking exposure to complex real-world challenges, high professional standards, and meaningful responsibility. Participants develop leadership judgment, operational discipline, and global business fluency that distinguish them in competitive professional and academic environments.

Participation is open to qualified students nationwide. Academic credit opportunities may be available for California State University students.

I.R.D.I. Business Group® LLC — Providing Real-World Solutions for Real-World Problems©

Responsibilities 

Assist in monitoring and analyzing security alerts and incidents on a global scale. 

Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing for international operations. 

Help develop and implement security policies and procedures tailored to global business needs. 

Participate in incident response and remediation activities. 

Research and stay up to date on the latest cybersecurity threats and trends, with a focus on global impact. 

Assist in the creation and maintenance of security documentation. 

Collaborate with IT and development teams across the nation and around the world to ensure security best practices are followed. 

Qualifications 

• Currently pursuing a degree in Cyber Security, Information Security, Computer Science, or a related field. 
• Basic understanding of network security principles and practices. 
• Familiarity with security tools and technologies such as firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and SIEM solutions. 
• Knowledge of operating systems (Windows, Linux) and basic scripting skills. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities. 
• High attention to detail and a proactive approach to learning. 
• Awareness of global cybersecurity challenges and regulatory environments. 
• (Mandatory) Proof of current enrolment as a Senior or Master's program for the Fall 2026semester. 

 Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with vulnerability assessment tools such as Nessus, OpenVAS, or Qualys. 
• Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, C++, or Java. 
• Understanding of cloud security concepts and technologies. 
• Familiarity with international regulatory requirements and frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, or others relevant to global business. 
• Relevant certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CEH, or CISSP (or in progress). 
• Multilingual skills or experience working in multinational environments. 

What We Offer 

• Hands-on experience with real-world cybersecurity projects in relation to the global threat landscape. 
• Opportunities to develop a strong portfolio. 
• A collaborative and inclusive work environment. 
• Potential for future employment opportunities. 
• Add unrivalled gravity to your credentials as an experienced global practitioner in cybersecurity. 
• Interns who successfully complete their confirmation process of skills will receive a Letter of 

Recommendation and confirmation of skill and proficiency from Mr. Dornford Walker II,  President of I.R.D.I. Business Group®, LLC, a Governor's appointee of Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

 Compensation 

This internship is unpaid and classified as a volunteer position. 

Students attending Sacramento State University are eligible for academic credit. Please contact us to confirm if your institution participates. 

Only interns who have successfully completed their “confirmation of competence” period (one full semester, volunteer tier) are eligible for job offers and paid project proposals. Division managers will assess the interns' proficiency and skills to determine competency. Upon successful evaluation, only confirmed interns may be considered for paid job or project offers. 

Evaluation Process 

After submitting your required documents (proof of enrolment, cover letter, and resume), you may be asked to complete a brief questionnaire. Once your materials are reviewed, candidates may receive a job offer without a traditional interview.  Offers to join our internship program may also be extended without completing the questionnaire. 

Job offers are based on factors such as prior experience, recommendations from professors or team members, and overall qualifications. We reserve the right to apply discretion with regard to extending offers to candidates outside of a traditional interview process. 

Upon accepting an offer, students must verify their identity by submitting a copy of their state- or federally issued ID, which will be confirmed against school records before a work agreement is provided. 

Overview: Handling of Students’ Sensitive Information 

Purpose of Collection 

Sensitive information, such as State or Federal identification, is requested only after a student has been formally offered an internship. 

The sole purpose of this request is to verify applicants’ legal identity, eligibility for legal work in the United States, and to protect both the student and the organization from fraudulent activity. 

Transmission of Documents 

1. Students are not required to send documents by email. 
2. Secure channels recommended such as: 
3. Google Drive restricted sharing (view-only, password-protected, expiring access). 
4. Open-source secure methods are available for students who prefer an alternative.
5. SecureDrop: (open-source whistleblower submission system) 
6. OnionShare: An open-source tool using Tor that allows anonymous, encrypted file sharing directly between students and organizations. 

Storage and Access Controls of sensitive information 

• All sensitive student information (State or Federal ID`s) is stored in encrypted drives accessible only to authorized personnel directly involved in internship verification. 
• Access is strictly limited and monitored. Logs are kept of who accesses the files and when. 
• Files are not shared with third parties under any circumstances.

Retention and Disposal 

• Student identification documents are kept only as long as necessary to verify work eligibility and fulfil compliance requirements. 
• Once verification is complete, documents are either: 

1. Permanently deleted (or) 
2. Archived securely if required by law or institutional policy, with clear retention timelines. 

Confidentiality Commitment 

• All material is classified private and confidential. Only senior management of Human Resources has access to sensitive data and law enforcement. 
• Students are informed of the exact purpose of ID collection. 
• Used only for confirmation of the student’s identification and background check. 

How to Apply 

Interested candidates should submit the following: 

1. A current resume. 
2. A cover letter explaining your interest in the internship and how you meet the qualifications. 
3. Submit Proof of current enrolment as a Senior or Master's program for the Fall 2026 semester. 

Please submit your application, proof of enrolment, and proof of U.S. citizenship via your Handshake account. 

 Application Deadline 

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. 

I.R.D.I. Business Group®, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

Note: I.R.D.I. Business Group® LLC maintains standing cooperation with domestic and international law enforcement agencies. All submitted information is subject to verification, background screening, and review by our compliance and cybersecurity divisions. Any falsification, misrepresentation, or submission of misleading, inconsistent, or counterfeit information or any conduct intended to mislead, disrupt, or interfere with the organization may result in immediate disqualification and referral to appropriate law enforcement and legal authorities. By submitting information or engaging with I.R.D.I. Business Group® LLC, you acknowledge and consent to these verification, disclosure, and enforcement provisions.