Stony Brook University’s Office for Research and Innovation has begun the second year of its Energy CyberLearn Internship Program, an initiative focused on preparing students to address cybersecurity challenges in the energy and utilities sector.
The program, which started with a session on October 20 in collaboration with the Critical Infrastructure Security Consortium, features a 14-week curriculum that spans two semesters. Students participate in both in-person and virtual lectures, concluding with paid summer internships at organizations such as energy developers, utilities, government agencies, and research labs.
Industry partners from the Advanced Energy Research & Technology Center (AERTC) Advisory Board fully fund the program. In addition to technical training, students receive support for professional development through workshops on LinkedIn profiles, résumés, and mock interviews.
“Energy CyberLearn is the kind of bridge that makes a real difference,” said Abdelrahim Brown, center director of AERTC and the Center for Grid Innovation Development and Deployment (GrIDD). “It brings together students from different fields and gives them the tools to take on one of the most pressing challenges in our energy transition: keeping critical systems secure. What stands out to me is how it turns learning into experience, connecting students with the real-world work of protecting and modernizing the grid.”
Following its first year, enrollment in Energy CyberLearn increased from 27 to 42 students this year. This growth reflects rising interest among students in cybersecurity careers related to energy.
“As New York strives to meet its electrification goals, energy developers, utilities, and regulatory authorities must ensure the grid, its connected resources, and supporting infrastructure is safe from cyber-attacks,” said Derek O’Connor, workforce development manager in the Office for Research and Innovation. “The Energy CyberLearn program engages all facets of the future workforce in an interdisciplinary immersion, from computer engineering to political science to applied math, while also providing essential professional development skills training.”
During last year’s program, participants came from diverse academic backgrounds including computer science, applied mathematics, philosophy, and political science. Fifteen students secured paid internships at organizations such as Amazon, LIPA (Long Island Power Authority), KPMG, West Monroe Partners, and Stony Brook University.
“With cyberattacks surging nearly 50% in the past year and 750,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in North America, developing top cyber talent is more critical than ever,” said Chris Timberg, director of energy and utilities at West Monroe. “CyberLearn equips students with foundational skills to understand the energy industry and the role of cybersecurity within it, preparing the next generation of leaders to protect critical energy infrastructure and meet the growing demand for security professionals.”
The reach of Energy CyberLearn extends beyond university-level education. For example, one participant who joined this year as a first-year computer science major initially connected with Stony Brook through high school programs like Summer Youth Employment Program while attending Bellport High School. She now participates as part of her involvement with Stony Brook’s WISE Honors Program.
“Participating in Taste of the Trades at Stony Brook gave me the chance to properly learn about and explore the energy workfield, exposing me to the vast array of opportunities available,” said Nicole Alvarado-Diaz. “I wanted to pursue one in some manner but I initially couldn’t figure out a way to properly incorporate it towards my major and career goals. I was convinced to join Energy CyberLearn as it promoted a diversity of majors including mine—being able to learn about cybersecurity and applying that knowledge towards ensuring the safety of the energy industry.”
This year’s cohort includes students studying applied mathematics and statistics; business management; computer science; data science; electrical and computer engineering; industrial engineering; political science; technology systems management; among others.
“The CyberLearn program established me as a leader among my peers at Stony Brook University,” said Freya Siddiqua—a member of last year’s cohort who is now an intern at LIPA specializing in data security analysis. “It gave me confidence to approach industry leaders... The technical expertise and foundation of knowledge about the industry landscape I gained here were paramount to my success.”
By encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration between students while linking them directly with employers through internships across sectors vital for New York’s clean energy transition efforts—the Energy CyberLearn Internship Program aims to strengthen cybersecurity workforce pipelines essential for safeguarding critical infrastructure.