North Carolina is ramping up its cybersecurity game with a new internship program designed to prepare students for the digital frontlines. The N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) and the Carolina Cyber Network (CCN) have teamed up to offer internships through Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), aimed at expanding the state's IT talent pool. Starting this fall, interns will work up to 25 hours a week remotely, tackling various cybersecurity challenges within NCDIT.
The program seeks to not only provide practical experience to complement academic learning but also to strategically fill a crucial workforce gap. "Cybersecurity is one of our state’s top priorities, and the Carolina Cyber Network is an outstanding partner in our efforts to nurture cyber talent and strengthen our cyberdefense capabilities," remarked NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione in a statement obtained by NCDIT. This initiative is part of a statewide push to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats while fostering career pathways in a crucial sector.
The hands-on experience gained during the internship is touted as essential to success in the cybersecurity field. "On-the-job training is key to success in the cybersecurity field," stated State Chief Information Security Officer Bernice Russell-Bond. According to the press release from NCDIT, the program is designed to help students reinforce classroom learning with practical application and simultaneously tackle the workforce shortage in IT security.
For its part, FTCC is excited to quickly bridge the academia-industry divide. FTCC President and CCN Executive Director Dr. Mark Sorrells told NCDIT, "The initiative will also serve to expand the talent pool available to our public and private employers to further safeguard critical information and resources essential to our national defense." Interns will be working to assist NCDIT staff, adding to the state's cyber defenses while preparing themselves for future cybersecurity roles.
NCDIT is the leading IT service provider to an extensive network of state agencies, local governments, and educational institutions across North Carolina. Alongside its partners, it is dedicated to protecting government IT systems and assets from cyber threats. The Carolina Cyber Network aims to enhance cybersecurity resilience statewide through collaborative efforts involving academia, industry, and government, creating a job-ready workforce equipped with both academic knowledge and practical skills.
