Cybersecurity Internship
Manulife Bank
Marvin Howell
CYSE 368
Spring 2023
Table of Contents
Section 1. The fall semester of 2022 was a big moment for me. After years of hard work, I was finally on the cusp of graduation and ready to launch my career in cybersecurity. I had been preparing for months for a job interview at Capital One, where I hoped to join their prestigious Cybersecurity Developmental Program. It was a dream opportunity that I had been eyeing for the past three years, and I felt confident that I had what it takes to make the cut. However, as fate would have it, things didn’t quite go according to plan. After what felt like the longest week of my life, I received the news that I had not been selected for the program. I was devastated. All of my hopes and dreams for the future had been tied up in this one opportunity, and now it felt like everything had come crashing down.
For the first few days, I couldn’t shake the sense of disappointment and frustration that lingered over me. It felt like I had failed in a way that I couldn’t quite articulate, and I wasn’t sure how to move forward. But eventually, I knew that I had to start looking for other options. I logged onto Handshake, the popular career platform for college students, and began browsing for internships. As luck would have it, I was living in Montreal, Quebec at the time, which made things a bit more complicated. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to find an internship that would allow me to work remotely, especially since many companies were starting to transition back to in-person work.
But then, I stumbled across a company called Manulife. As I read through the job description, I realized that it was the perfect fit for me. The position was focused on cybersecurity, and the responsibilities aligned perfectly with my skill set and interests. I knew that I had to apply, even though the posting was set to close on that same Friday.
I spent hours polishing my application, making sure that every detail was perfect. When I finally hit submit, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I had done everything I could to make myself stand out, and now it was out of my hands.
The following Monday, I received an email from two of my future coworkers, Cheryl and Mike. They wanted to schedule an interview with me, and asked for my availability that week. I was thrilled and nervous all at once. This was my chance to prove that I was the right fit for the job, and I didn’t want to let the opportunity slip away.
I spent the next few days preparing for the interview, researching the company and brushing up on my cybersecurity skills. When the day finally arrived, I was greeted by Mike and Cheryl with warm smiles and a relaxed demeanor. The interview was surprisingly laid-back, and we spent more time chatting about our shared interests and experiences than we did talking about technical skills.
After the interview, I wasn’t sure how I had done. I knew that I had connected well with my interviewers, but I wasn’t sure if that would be enough to secure the internship. But a few days later, I received the news that I had been selected for the position.
I was over the moon. This was exactly the opportunity I had been hoping for, and I knew that it was going to be an incredible learning experience. As I prepared to start my internship with Manulife Bank, I set three key learning objectives for myself.
First, I wanted to gain hands-on experience with real cybersecurity tools and techniques. In school, I had learned a lot of theory and background knowledge, but I knew that nothing could compare to actually getting my hands dirty and working on real projects.
Second, I wanted to make connections with my coworkers and build professional relationships with my colleagues to make room for me to be able to network later.
Furthermore, I view this internship as an opportunity to develop my professional skills and gain practical experience in a real-world setting. By immersing myself in the day-to-day operations of the company and working alongside experienced professionals, I aim to improve my technical abilities and enhance my understanding of the industry as a whole.
Section 2. Manulife Bank is a Canadian online bank that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, businesses, and organizations. It is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in Canada.
Manulife Bank offers a variety of banking products and services, including checking and savings accounts, mortgages, loans, and credit cards. It also offers investment products, such as mutual funds and GICs, and insurance products, including life, health, and travel insurance
The onboarding process was efficiently streamlined, a feature that I particularly appreciated. I was assigned a manager, Charlie, who was based out of Texas and served as the instructor for the internship program. However, my day-to-day supervisor, Cheryl, was my primary point of contact. Cheryl’s passion for her work was palpable and her depth of knowledge was truly impressive, qualities that I found particularly inspiring. She also demonstrated a willingness to actively seek out opportunities for continued growth and professional development, volunteering for any and all relevant trainings or events offered by the organization. I held great admiration for her tireless dedication and work ethic.
Section 3. The leader of my team, Rob, was the best boss I could ask for, and I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with him again in the future. In his capacity as team leader for Indications and Warnings, he made certain that I felt welcomed and integrated into the team from the outset. He ensured that I was invited to all meetings, including those with third-party vendors, in order to familiarize me with the nuances of client-facing interactions, an aspect of the business which I greatly appreciated. Overall, I feel fortunate to have worked with such a dedicated and knowledgeable group of professionals, and I believe that the experiences and insights that I gained during my internship with this team will prove invaluable as I move forward in my career.
Section 4. I had the opportunity to work on a project that proved to be a major achievement for me. One of the earliest tasks assigned to me was to monitor social media accounts that could potentially mention the company. As I was performing this task, I stumbled upon several social media spoof accounts that were using the company’s name to promote their services. While it may have initially seemed like legitimate promotion, it became apparent that the accounts were directing potential clients to personal email addresses, posing a significant security risk.
Realizing the severity of the situation, I immediately brought this to the attention of my supervisor. Working together, we were able to get the tweet removed within 24 hours, ensuring that our clients’ sensitive information remained secure. This experience taught me the critical nature of remaining vigilant in monitoring potential threats to a company’s security, especially when it comes to maintaining an online presence. It also highlighted the difficulties of managing a global company where different countries may have varying rules and regulations.
Overall, this experience helped me develop a deeper understanding of the importance of cybersecurity in a business environment. As a result, I am more aware of potential threats and vulnerabilities and better equipped to identify and address them. Furthermore, it reinforced the importance of effective communication and collaboration within a team, as we were able to work together to address the situation quickly and efficiently
I also had the opportunity to work with the Threat Intelligence team. One of the primary responsibilities of this team was to monitor various sources for information that could pose a potential threat or concern to the business. As an intern, I was tasked with sifting through articles and other sources of information to identify potential threats and summarize them in a clear and concise manner. While I found this assignment to be useful in gaining experience in threat analysis, it wasn’t a task that I found particularly engaging or fulfilling. I felt that I was just regurgitating information that was already known to the company, and I was eager to find more challenging and dynamic work that would better align with my interests and skill set.
After spending three weeks with the Threat Intelligence team, I made the decision to speak with my supervisor about my concerns. While I appreciated the team taking me under their wing and trying to show me the ropes, I expressed that the work wasn’t something I could see myself doing long-term. Instead, I was interested in exploring other areas within the company where I could leverage my skills and interests to make a more meaningful contribution.
During my last few weeks, I was entrusted with a significant project that involved contributing to the maturation of a newly acquired tool called Flashpoint. My primary responsibility was to collect information from company data sets and compile them into an index for easy access by the Indications & Warnings (I&W) team. This was a critical task because the I&W team needed to run weekly queries for threats on the dark web to ensure the security and safety of the company. To accomplish this, I was granted access to internal excel spreadsheets of third-party vendors, which I needed to compile into queries. Initially, I tried to create these queries manually, but I soon realized that it was an exhausting and time-consuming task. So, I decided to utilize my limited coding skills and automate the process by using Visual Studio Code, the only Integrated Development Environment (IDE) I had access to due to laptop restrictions.
By creating a code to automate the query process, I was able to finish this task in a matter of minutes. However, to ensure that the queries were relevant to our business needs, I had to consult with our contact at Flashpoint to curate specific tails. With the queries and tails in place, I uploaded them into Flashpoint, making them accessible to everyone in our department.
This project allowed me to showcase my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as my ability to work independently and deliver results within a tight timeframe. It also gave me the opportunity to apply my coding skills to a practical situation, which was an excellent learning experience for me. I was thrilled to have been able to contribute to such a crucial project and to have played a role in enhancing the security posture of the organization.
Section 5. I had the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in the cybersecurity space. As a student, I had learned a lot about the theoretical concepts of cybersecurity, but I had not yet had the chance to put that knowledge into practice. Through this internship, I was able to deepen my understanding of the field and gain a greater appreciation for its importance. The experience allowed me to apply the concepts that I had learned in school to real-world situations, giving me a newfound confidence in my abilities.
Working alongside experienced professionals in a cybersecurity environment, I was able to learn from their expertise and gain a better understanding of the skills required to be successful in this field. The opportunity to work on various assignments and projects helped me to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the cybersecurity landscape and how it impacts organizations. One of the most significant takeaways from my internship was the realization that I was on the right career path. The experience solidified my desire to work in cybersecurity and showed me the value and impact of the work that I could be doing.
Section 6. During my internship, I found that my education at ODU had prepared me well for the challenges and responsibilities that came with the job. The coursework I completed provided me with a strong foundation in the concepts and theories that underlie the field of cybersecurity, and I was able to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios on a daily basis.
One of my initial concerns going into the internship was that I would be assigned mundane tasks that would not be impactful to the business. However, my managers and supervisors recognized my potential and treated me as if I were a full-time employee. They entrusted me with important responsibilities and allowed me to take ownership of critical projects. This level of trust and respect gave me the confidence to succeed and made me feel valued as a member of the team.
In addition to the technical skills, I gained from my courses, I also learned the importance of effective communication and collaboration. The ability to work effectively with colleagues from different departments and levels of expertise was critical to the success of my projects. I was able to leverage my education and training to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders in a clear and concise manner, which was essential in gaining buy-in and support for my initiatives.
Overall, my experience at ODU and my internship at Manulife have reinforced my passion for the field of cybersecurity and have given me the skills and confidence necessary to pursue a career in this exciting and dynamic industry. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such a talented and supportive team, and I look forward to applying what I have learned to future endeavors.
Section 7. Throughout the course of my internship, I was able to accomplish all of the objectives set forth by my employer. Notably, I was able to establish meaningful connections that have the potential to yield long-term benefits for networking purposes. Additionally, my participation in the internship afforded me the opportunity to interact with a diverse range of individuals from varied backgrounds in cybersecurity, thus broadening my perspective on the field.
In addition to these networking and interpersonal achievements, I also gained hands-on experience working with various tools and technologies in the cybersecurity domain. This practical exposure to industry-specific tools and techniques enabled me to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios, thus enhancing my knowledge and skillset.
Overall, my internship experience has greatly strengthened my confidence in my professional abilities and prepared me for success in future endeavors.
Section 8. I never imagined it would be feasible, but working remotely from Montreal was one of the most motivating elements of my internship experience. It was an incredible opportunity to have landed such a prestigious internship, especially considering the number of applications I had submitted previously without success. Despite the odds, I was able to secure an internship that was not only rewarding, but allowed me to work remotely and stay close to home.
During the interview process, I was amazed at how streamlined and stress-free it was. I was impressed with how organized the company was in terms of hiring, onboarding, and training their interns. From the initial interview to being permitted to work on my own projects, the entire process was straightforward and efficient. I was able to experience greater independence in terms of my work environment and schedule as a remote intern. I was able to forgo the inconveniences of travelling and devote all of my attention to the responsibilities given to me. I was able to perform and produce at my best because of this. It gave me a daily feeling of accomplishment to know that I had been able to secure such a prestigious internship while working remotely, and it motivated me to keep putting in the effort to succeed in all I did.
The remote internship also gave me the chance to improve my ability to collaborate with my coworkers and bosses. In order to make sure that tasks were performed on time and to a high degree when working remotely, more deliberate and regular communication was essential. Despite not working in the same physical location, this communication helped me forge strong bonds with my coworkers and managers. I gained an understanding of the value of succinct and clear communication and how it affects a project’s overall performance. working remotely from Montreal was a motivating factor that enabled me to achieve success in my internship. It was an opportunity to develop my skills, collaborate with colleagues and supervisors, and contribute to a successful project. The freedom, communication, and achievement I experienced were the driving forces that inspired me to keep working hard every day.
Section 9. One of the most demanding aspects of my internship experience was the realization that despite being full of ideas, implementing them in the workplace was not always straightforward. On many occasions, I encountered a bureaucratic system that posed a significant challenge to innovation and creative problem-solving. It was disheartening to hear outstanding suggestions from colleagues that could potentially save the company resources and increase efficiency, yet, due to various constraints such as budgetary limitations or prioritization issues, it was difficult to implement them. As an intern, I learned that navigating such hurdles required patience, tact, and a strategic approach to decision-making.
Section 10. One of the most demanding aspects of my internship experience was the overwhelming workload within a relatively limited timeframe. As an intern, I was expected to juggle various tasks simultaneously, and at times, it felt as though my supervisor felt compelled to assign additional work continuously. I had to use a number of tactics in order to properly navigate this difficulty. These included openly communicating with my supervisor to manage expectations and make sure that my workload was manageable, carefully prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance, and asking for help from colleagues as needed. I was able to gain essential time-management and communication skills via these efforts, which have come in handy in later professional endeavors.
Section 11. Based on my experience as an intern at my previous role, I would highly suggest that future interns take the initiative to seek out additional work or opportunities to assist other teams during periods of slower activity. In doing so, you can maximize your learning potential and gain valuable experience that may not have been available through your assigned tasks.
By offering to help out in different areas of the company, you can expand your knowledge and understanding of the overall business operations, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals interested in pursuing a career in that field. It also demonstrates a proactive approach to work and shows that you are eager to contribute to the success of the organization.
In addition, actively seeking out additional work and responsibilities can also help to build relationships with your coworkers and supervisors, as it shows your willingness to collaborate and support the team. This can lead to potential networking opportunities and future job prospects, as colleagues are more likely to remember individuals who have demonstrated a strong work ethic and a desire to learn. Overall, my advice to future interns would be to take the initiative to seek out additional work and opportunities to assist other teams during slow periods. This proactive approach can not only maximize your learning potential but also demonstrate your dedication to contributing to the success of the organization and building strong professional relationships.
Section 12. Working as a Threat Intelligence analyst intern at Manulife Bank was an eye-opening experience. I gained a deep appreciation for the critical role of cybersecurity and brand management in maintaining a company’s reputation and protecting its customers’ private information. The experience taught me the importance of attention to detail, clear communication, and the need for constant vigilance in the face of evolving threats. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented and dedicated team and look forward to applying the skills and knowledge I gained in my future career endeavors. I now have a clearer understanding of things I do and do not like; how upper management can be a bit difficult to deal with, and also the growing pains of what it’s like to be a small unit of a big company feeling the need to advocate for yourself and prove your worth fay in and out. I could not have asked for a better internship experience and I’ll be forever grateful that Mike and Cheryl took that chance on me.
Appendix
import csv
CHUNKING_CHARS = 300
def get_companies():
with open(‘companies.csv’) as csvfile:
return [company_row[0] for company_row in csv.reader(csvfile)]
companies = get_companies()
chunks = []
chunk = ”
i = 0
while i < len(companies):
if len(chunk) == 0:
str_to_add_to_chunk = ‘(‘
else:
str_to_add_to_chunk = ‘ | ‘
str_to_add_to_chunk += ‘”‘ + companies[i] + ‘”‘
if len(chunk) + len(str_to_add_to_chunk) <= CHUNKING_CHARS:
chunk += str_to_add_to_chunk
i += 1
elif len(chunk) == 0 and len(str_to_add_to_chunk) > CHUNKING_CHARS:
raise ValueError(“CHUNKING_SIZE is too small.”)
else:
chunks.append(chunk + ‘)’)
chunk = ”
chunks.append(chunk + ‘)’)
print(‘\n’.join(chunks))