Is it too late in the year for students to find security internships?

Finding a security internship can seem challenging for college and university students, especially as the calendar year progresses from winter to spring to summer. This article offers valuable insights from industry experts on security internships, even when time appears to be running out.

• Persistence Pays Off in Security Internships
• Proactively Seek Year-Round Security Opportunities
• Security Industry Demands Interns Beyond Summer
• Flexible Hiring in Fire and Security
• Cybersecurity Field Welcomes Late Applicants
• Fall Recruiting Strong in Security Sector
• Mid-Year Timing Advantageous for Security Internships

Persistence Pays Off in Security Internships

No, it’s not too late in the year to find an internship in security. I’ve hired interns in the fall and even a few just after graduation. One of the best hires we had came in that way — he applied late, stayed persistent, and impressed us with a side project he built for fun. While many companies fill their summer slots early, a lot of smaller firms or specialized security teams keep the door open for the right candidate. Keep applying, even if the deadline has passed. Some spots re-open or get created when a project needs help or an intern backs out.

Get your name out there. I always tell students to talk to professors and alumni. That’s how I landed one of my first tech roles — through a former classmate who heard a company needed help and passed my name along. Don’t just rely on job boards. Follow up with companies directly. Go to meetups or cybersecurity events and say hello. If someone connects with you, they’ll remember you when a spot opens. Your resume doesn’t need to be packed. Just show that you care and have done the work, like coursework, labs, or your own research.

Use this time to build experience. Even if it’s not a summer internship, even if it starts after graduation, it still counts. Internships aren’t about ticking boxes. They’re about learning how to work on real-world problems, ask good questions, and build trust with a team. So don’t wait. Ask for help, take a shot at every opening you find, and stay focused on growing your skills. Opportunities are still out there.

Elmo Taddeo, CEO, Parachute

Proactively Seek Year-Round Security Opportunities

It’s definitely not too late. In fact, this is an excellent time for college and university students to look for internships in security. Currently, many agencies and companies are wrapping up their fiscal years and preparing for upcoming training cycles, projects, and staffing needs. This means they’re reviewing what gaps they have and where interns can add value. I’ve seen plenty of students come in later in the year and actually stand out more because there’s less competition compared to the spring rush.

If you’re pursuing a career in security, law enforcement, or public safety, I’d recommend using this time to reach out directly to companies and agencies. Don’t just rely on job boards. Call or email the department or training division you’re interested in and ask about shadowing opportunities or short-term roles that can evolve into internships. That initiative goes a long way.

Also, keep in mind that security is a field driven by relationships. Even if an official internship isn’t available this semester, making connections now could put you at the top of the list when something opens up. It’s never too late when you’re proactive and willing to show up and learn.

Joshua Schirard, Director, Byrna

Security Industry Demands Interns Beyond Summer

As a career coach and consultant who has guided many students and early professionals into cybersecurity and broader security-related roles, I can confidently say: no, it is not too late in the year to find an internship in security. While the traditional internship cycle often targets summer placements, the dynamic nature of the security field — especially in cybersecurity, cloud security, and threat intelligence — means opportunities arise throughout the year.

The security industry doesn’t operate on a fixed schedule. Many companies post internships year-round, particularly in high-demand fields like network security, penetration testing, and digital forensics. While some of the larger firms (e.g., Deloitte, IBM, CrowdStrike) might have early application deadlines for summer programs, smaller companies, startups, and even public institutions tend to hire on more flexible timelines, often up until late spring and beyond.

One student I coached applied in early June and landed a hybrid internship at a mid-sized insurance firm by July, assisting with endpoint protection rollouts and helping prepare documentation for a PCI-DSS compliance review. It wasn’t part of a formal internship program; it started with an informational interview and a well-crafted follow-up.

According to the (ISC)2 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the global cybersecurity workforce gap remains above 3.4 million. This translates into continued internship demand, particularly for students with foundational knowledge in areas like network protocols, cloud environments (AWS, Azure), or scripting (Python, PowerShell). Meanwhile, CyberSeek.org’s U.S. heat map for cybersecurity jobs shows consistent demand growth in nearly every state, and entry-level opportunities are increasing by 12% year-over-year, even outside summer hiring windows.

So, to any student worried it’s “too late” it’s not. While you may have missed some structured summer internship windows, the security field is still wide open. Focus on smaller firms, compliance-heavy sectors (finance, healthcare, logistics), and direct outreach. Tailor your resume to highlight any certifications (like CompTIA Security+), relevant coursework, or even home lab experience. Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, and a commitment to learning — those qualities often matter more than perfect timing.

Miriam Groom, CEO, Mindful Career Inc., Mindful Career Coaching

Flexible Hiring in Fire and Security

It’s not too late. We’ve brought students into the business in late summer and early autumn. The fire and security industry moves fast, projects shift, contracts land unexpectedly, and new support roles open up without notice. If you’re still looking for an internship in June, you’re not out of the running.

Most companies in this space don’t follow academic recruitment cycles. We hire when we need help. I’ve brought in interns during busy installation windows, audit prep, and equipment rollouts. One of the best we had reached out to us in July. He offered to help with inventory and shadow our engineers. He showed up early, asked clear questions, and took notes. By the end of the month, he was hands-on with systems testing.

Opportunities exist beyond job boards. Local firms often need short-term help with planning, compliance, or logistics. You don’t need full technical experience to contribute. If you’re organized, ready to learn, and understand the basics of system safety, there’s a place for you.

Start with a direct message. State your goals clearly and explain how you’re prepared to contribute. Field support, reporting, van stock, training setup — it’s all valuable. Internships in this industry often begin with a simple conversation and grow from there.

There’s still time to step in and learn from real projects.

Lisa Clark, Director, Bell Fire and Security

Cybersecurity Field Welcomes Late Applicants

It’s absolutely not too late. I’ve been working in cybersecurity since 2008, and I see companies hiring interns throughout the spring semester and even into summer.

The cybersecurity field is desperate for talent right now. When I speak at places like West Point or Microsoft events, hiring managers consistently tell me they can’t fill positions fast enough. My own company in Central New Jersey regularly considers interns even outside traditional recruiting seasons because the demand is so high.

Focus on getting basic certifications and demonstrating that you understand real threats. In my experience training employees and college students, I’ve found that showing knowledge of current attack methods — like the phishing scams that hit 20% of Gen-Z students according to National Cybersecurity Alliance data — impresses employers more than perfect timing.

Start reaching out now to local MSPs and cybersecurity firms in your area. Many smaller companies like mine are more flexible with timing than big corporations. We’ve hired students who approached us in March or April because they showed genuine interest and basic security awareness.

Paul Nebb, CEO, Titan Technologies

Fall Recruiting Strong in Security Sector

Most learners think that summer is the only time to get internship opportunities, but such thinking limits actual opportunities. There are fields such as security where recruiting is stronger during the fall rather than summer, especially when the recruiter is looking within the areas of infrastructure, compliance, or threat analysis. Onboarding in the later part of the year will enable a company to bring on board interns under new guidelines that have been implemented by that time of the year, such as Q4, which commonly could be related to annual audits, system upgrades, or regulatory changes. 

Some trade-aligned institutions have had students assigned to work as cybersecurity support, even as recently as November, where they helped with patch testing over the holidays. Such placements are not only possible but are strategic when full-time employees tend to cluster their leave at the end of the year. Students who are ready to dedicate a minimal amount of time, such as ten hours per week, in September or October, tend to get a part-time position that will be extended to longer-term employment. Quite a few companies place high esteem on that consistency as opposed to a burst of activity in either June or July. The timing is flexible when a student’s time is.

Doug Crawford, President and Founder, Best Trade Schools

Mid-Year Timing Advantageous for Security Internships

Not at all — in fact, mid-year timing can work in your favor. After conducting security assessments across 70 countries, I’ve noticed organizations often find gaps in their security programs around this time and need immediate help.

Here’s what most students miss: Pharmaceutical and chemical companies face constant threats but struggle to find security talent who understands their unique risks. Last month alone, three of our pharmaceutical clients specifically asked if we knew any promising students who could help with vulnerability assessments during their busy production cycles.

Skip the traditional corporate internship portals entirely. Reach out directly to regional security directors at universities, hospitals, and financial institutions in your area. These facilities operate 24/7 and often need extra hands for night shifts or weekend security monitoring — perfect entry points that don’t follow semester schedules.

The key is positioning yourself around immediate operational needs rather than structured programs. When I started Vertriax, some of our best team members came from students who approached us mid-year, offering to help with specific projects like physical security assessments or background check processing.

Stewart Smith, President & CEO, Vertriax