DHS Cyber Student Volunteer Initiative

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just announced the launch of the 2014 Secretary’s Honors Program (SHP) Cyber Student Volunteer Initiative, an unpaid student volunteer program for college students pursuing a program of study in a cybersecurity-related field.  

Through the initiative, more than 100 unpaid student volunteer assignments will be available to support DHS’ cyber mission at local DHS field offices in over 60 locations across the country.  

Created in April 2013 by former Secretary Janet Napolitano, the program has been expanded to new DHS offices and locations, with student volunteer assignments available at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations computer forensics labs, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer, and state and major urban area fusion centers.  

Student volunteers in the program will gain invaluable hands-on experience and exposure to the work done by DHS cybersecurity professionals, and perform a broad range of duties in support of DHS’ cybersecurity mission.  Student volunteers will begin in spring 2014 and participate throughout the summer.

Students are able to learn more about and apply for the program by visiting the USAJobs link here.  The application closes January 17, 2014.

The growth of this important program directly addresses your recommendation that DHS expand the use of paid and unpaid opportunities to attract students at all appropriate career levels.  We are excited to act upon this recommendation, and engage students and the broader academic community in DHS’ cybersecurity work.