15 Summer Cybersecurity Internships for High School Students

Internships are one of the most effective ways for high school students to strengthen their academic profiles while gaining experience beyond the classroom. By working on practical projects, learning workplace norms, and building professional connections, you develop skills that colleges and employers value. Internships also help you test your interest in a field early, giving you clarity about potential career paths before committing to a major.

Why should I do a cybersecurity internship in high school?

A cybersecurity internship offers high school students a strong head start in the field by turning theoretical knowledge into defense skills. Beyond learning to code, you’ll gain exposure to threat detection, network security, and ethical hacking, which builds a technical foundation beyond the standard classroom curriculum. This experience not only strengthens college applications and resumes in a highly competitive field but also develops critical soft skills like analytical problem-solving and ethical decision-making. By working alongside industry professionals, you’ll get a look at various career paths, such as forensics or cloud security. 

Since quality opportunities can be competitive and difficult to identify, we have narrowed down our list to the 15 best summer cybersecurity internships for high school students. Each program offers structured learning, meaningful technical exposure, and opportunities to build skills that translate to future studies and careers in cybersecurity.

1. CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) Cyber & IT Internships

Location: Hybrid / Remote / In-Person (Major hubs: Arlington, VA; Washington, D.C.; regional offices nationwide)
Stipend: Paid (GS-1 or GS-2 Scale)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size depends on federal funding and departmental needs each summer
Dates: 10–12 weeks between mid-June and August
Application Deadline: Late January – February
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students; 16+ at the internship’s start; minimum 2.5 GPA; U.S. citizens

In this paid internship, you step into the role of a provisional federal employee dedicated to protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure. You work alongside seasoned professionals to secure government networks and analyze actual cyber threats. Your daily activities might include supporting vulnerability assessments, reviewing network data for anomalies, or assisting with essential IT system upgrades. The internship offers a rare opportunity for high school students to potentially obtain a security clearance and witness high-level mission operations firsthand. By the end, you will have built practical skills in threat detection, data analysis, and professional collaboration that truly set you apart.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks

Ladder Internships connects you directly with global startups for a remote, eight-week cybersecurity experience where you work on real-world problems. You will cover essential topics, including network defense, digital forensics, malware analysis, and offensive security, while receiving 1-on-1 guidance. Throughout the program, your activities will involve building secure login systems, running phishing simulations, and conducting vulnerability assessments for your host company. The program features a "Ladder Coach" model, which pairs you with a secondary mentor to refine your professional communication and time management skills. By the end, you will have developed technical coding abilities and a portfolio-ready project that makes you stand out on your college application. Apply now!

3. NSA (National Security Agency) High School Work Study Program

Location: Primary: Fort Meade, MD; Field Sites: CO, GA, TX, HI, UT, AK
Stipend: Paid (GG-01/01 Scale)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies depending on staffing needs at each specific field site
Dates: September – June (senior year)
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: High school juniors currently enrolled in Business, Computer/Technical, or Language courses; 16+ by December 31 of junior year; minimum unweighted 2.5 GPA; U.S. citizens

The NSA High School Work Study Program offers you a rare vocational gateway into the intelligence community, allowing you to work as a part-time employee with a security clearance while finishing your senior year. In the cybersecurity or technical tracks, you will focus on topics like data processing, information management, and operational support within a classified environment. Your daily activities typically involve operating sophisticated office technology, maintaining critical databases, and assisting technical teams with workflow management and coordination. The program’s most unique feature is granting you a Top Secret security clearance, a massive career asset, along with a paid salary and benefits normally reserved for full-time staff.

4. Department of Navy – Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

Location: Various Department of the Navy laboratories across the U.S.
Stipend: New participants: $4,000; returning participants: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~300 placements nationwide
Dates: 8-week summer internship, with optional 2-week extension
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students 16+; U.S. citizens; completed at least 9th grade; graduating seniors can also apply

In the Navy SEAP, you step directly into a Department of Defense laboratory to tackle real cybersecurity challenges vital to national safety. You will explore topics like cryptography, secure software development, and network defense while working alongside professional naval engineers. Your daily activities might include scripting automated threat detectors, analyzing network traffic logs for anomalies, or hardening systems against simulated attacks. The program provides a rare opportunity to access restricted military research facilities usually off-limits to civilians. By the end, you will have built practical skills in languages like Python or C++ and learned the disciplined research methodologies required for a career in defense technology.

5. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) Internships

Location: Various sites across the U.S., including in and around Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid, varies from location to location
Dates: 5 – 10 weeks; typically June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling acceptance
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents | Additional requirements vary by site   

In the AEOP High School internships, you step directly into U.S. Army research labs to address real cybersecurity challenges affecting national defense. You will explore topics like cryptography, secure network architecture, and data privacy while working alongside professional Army scientists. Your daily routine will involve scripting threat detection algorithms, analyzing network traffic logs, and stress-testing software systems for vulnerabilities. The program features a direct mentorship model, where you contribute to active military research projects rather than just observing them, all while earning an educational stipend. 

6. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program

Location: Several locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Rest of the United States: $501.60; Edwards AFR: $805.60
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 60 students
Dates: Summer sessions are 10 weeks between late May/early June and August
Application Deadline: Summer: January 10
Eligibility: High school students; U.S. citizens; enrolled or accepted to an educational institution; 16+ by the application deadline; check the detailed eligibility criteria here

In the AFRL Scholars Program, you step into a high-tech defense laboratory to tackle cybersecurity challenges that protect national assets. You will explore advanced topics like secure embedded systems, malware defense, and quantum encryption while working directly on unclassified or confidential projects. Your daily activities might include writing code to test software vulnerabilities, running network attack simulations, or analyzing data from sensors alongside professional Air Force scientists. The program practices a mentorship model, where you are treated as a junior researcher rather than just a student, often earning a competitive stipend. By the end, you will have learned the rigorous research protocols required for a national defense career.

7. Sandia National Laboratories High School Internship

Location: Livermore, CA; Albuquerque, NM; other Sandia sites
Stipend: $17.75 – $19/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Year-round; Summer: 10–12 weeks between May and the end of August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students enrolled full-time in an accredited high school; 16+; U.S. citizens; minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for R&D, technical, or business roles (more details here); 2.5 GPA for clerical or laborer positions

In the Sandia National Laboratories High School Internship, you will join a premier Department of Energy facility to support critical national security missions through technical work. You will explore topics such as network defense, cryptography, and secure software development while collaborating directly with professional R&D teams. Your daily activities might involve scripting in Python to automate threat detection, testing hardware for vulnerabilities, or analyzing large datasets to identify security anomalies. The internship provides an opportunity to work within specialized technical institutes, allowing you to tackle actual government projects rather than simple simulations.

8. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) –  High School Internship

Location: PNNL (various locations)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; roughly 25–50 students
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer between mid-June and August
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-to-late March
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors; 16+; minimum 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizens or permanent residents

In this internship, you will explore advanced topics such as industrial control systems (ICS) security, the resilience of the power grid against cyberattacks, and the integration of AI in threat detection. Your daily activities might involve writing Python scripts to analyze network traffic logs, testing vulnerabilities in Internet of Things (IoT) devices, or creating data visualizations for a larger defense project. The program features the "PNNL Gold Experience," which pairs your technical work with structured career mentorship and culminates in a formal symposium where you present a scientific poster to lab experts. By the end of the summer, you will have developed rigorous research methodologies and technical communication skills.

9. Idaho National Laboratory High School Internships

Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies depending on individual lab mentorship capacity and funding
Dates: 6–8 weeks between mid-June and August
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, or recent graduates; 16+ by start date; U.S. citizenship or Permanent Residency

In this internship, you will explore specialized topics like Industrial Control Systems (ICS) security, SCADA architecture, and the "Cyber-Informed Engineering" framework unique to the Department of Energy. Your daily activities might involve writing Python scripts to analyze network traffic for anomalies, testing vulnerabilities in operational technology (OT) hardware using model simulations (like railroad control systems), or assisting researchers in the state-of-the-art Cybercore Integration Center. The program focuses on "consequence-driven" security, where you learn to prevent catastrophic physical failures caused by digital attacks. By the end, you will have developed skills in operational technology defense and developed the rigorous research habits required for a high-level career in national security.

10. Los Alamos National Laboratory Internship

Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies depending on the number of available mentors each season
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer between May and August
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: New Mexico high school students who are seniors when applying; 16+; 2.75 cumulative GPA; pass pre-employment drug test

At Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), you will explore topics ranging from network vulnerability assessment to high-performance computing (HPC) architecture and secure data management. Your daily activities might include scripting in Python to automate system checks, analyzing large datasets for security anomalies, or assisting mentors with maintaining the integrity of scientific simulations. A unique feature of this program is the exposure to world-class supercomputing facilities and the specific challenge of securing classified research environments. By the end, you will have developed technical skills in scientific programming and a clear understanding of the rigorous protocols required to protect sensitive government assets.

11. MITRE High School Student Program

Location: McLean, VA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer, between June and August
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-to-late February/early spring
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9-12; 14+ by the program start; legally eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

In the MITRE High School Student Program, you will explore advanced topics like adversary emulation, digital forensics, and the famous MITRE ATT&CK framework, which serves as a global standard for threat intelligence. Your daily activities might include writing Python scripts to automate malware analysis, testing vulnerabilities in embedded IoT devices, or conducting "red team" simulations to expose network weaknesses. The program allows you to work on non-profit, public-interest projects for government sponsors, giving you a rare look at classified or sensitive defense work usually off-limits to civilians. By the end, you will have gained proficiency in industry-standard security tools and the professional confidence to present your technical research to senior experts.

12. Northrop Grumman High School Involvement Partnership (HIP)

Location: Grand Sky UAS Park / Grand Forks, ND
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 5–10 students per site
Dates: Academic year during junior/senior years, including a 10-week Summer internship
Application Deadline: Summer internship: early February
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; 3.0+ unweighted GPA; U.S. Citizens

In this program, you commit during your junior and senior years to exploring advanced topics like cryptography, secure network architecture, and digital threat detection. Your activities will shift from virtual career workshops to project development, where you might design a secure communication protocol, simulate cyber-attacks in a lab environment, or analyze data for defense systems. The program features a pipeline structure: successful completion often guarantees you a shot at college scholarships and a seamless transition into their paid college internship program. By the end, you will have developed technical skills in languages like Python or C++.

13. Microsoft High School Discovery Program

Location: Redmond, WA or Atlanta, GA (local students only)
Stipend: Paid competitively, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; small cohorts
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically, late February
Eligibility: High school seniors living and attending schools within 50 miles of Redmond or living and attending school in and around Atlanta; completed pre-calculus or an equivalent course by the program’s start

In the Microsoft High School Discovery Program, you will learn about the professional software development lifecycle (SDLC), exploring foundational security aspects for products like Azure and Windows. While this is a general engineering internship, you will learn how industry giants bake cybersecurity and data privacy directly into the "Design, Build, and Quality" phases of product development. Your daily activities will involve working in a "pod" of peers to identify user pain points, prototyping secure feature solutions, and pitching your final product roadmap to senior engineering leads. The program pairs you with Microsoft mentors who guide you through the complexities of shipping enterprise-grade, secure code. 

14. Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) High School Cybersecurity Internship

Location: Northern Virginia (industry host sites; virtual, hybrid, or in person)
Stipend: $2,650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 25–40 students per session
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; 17+; living in Northern Virginia; U.S. Citizens

This program begins with a two-week professional skills bootcamp, which includes virtual and in-person sessions that prepare you for workplace expectations and foundational cybersecurity concepts. After training, you will join a five-week placement with a cybersecurity-related organization in Northern Virginia, where you will work on projects that mirror industry tasks. Along the way, you participate in scheduled progress reviews to reflect on your learning and build communication skills. This internship is designed to expand your understanding of cyber careers and strengthen your technical and professional readiness before college. Completing the program earns you a stipend and valuable experience working with seasoned cyber professionals.

15. NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)

Location: Gaithersburg, MD & Boulder, CO
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Eight weeks, starting from the second/third week of June to the second week of August 
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are high school juniors or seniors at the time of application; must live near or be able to relocate to the NIST campus, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0   

NIST SHIP places you directly into a federal laboratory environment as a volunteer researcher, where you contribute to the standards that secure the nation's digital infrastructure. In the Information Technology Laboratory, you will explore topics like cryptography, digital forensics, and AI safety under the mentorship of career scientists. During the summer, you will write code for security simulations, analyze vulnerability datasets, review technical literature, and present your findings in a formal colloquium. The program emphasizes independent inquiry, allowing you to experience the authentic lifecycle of government research rather than a structured curriculum. By the end, you will have developed scientific methodology and technical writing skills.

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