The Coastal Virginia Center for Cyber Innovation (COVA CCI) internship is a prestigious program that brings together aspiring cybersecurity professionals to tackle real-world challenges. It focuses on providing hands-on experience through collaborative projects, mentorship, and exposure to cutting-edge cybersecurity practices. As part of this internship, I had the opportunity to work with a dynamic team to provide cybersecurity consultation for a small insurance company based in Norfolk, Virginia.

Our project centered on identifying and mitigating cybersecurity risks for the company while ensuring compliance with industry standards and data protection regulations. By applying the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, we assessed the company’s existing defenses, pinpointed vulnerabilities, and proposed actionable solutions to address pressing concerns such as phishing, malware, and ransomware attacks. Additionally, we explored tools like Google Cloud’s Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to help safeguard sensitive customer data.

Through this project, I gained valuable insights into real-world cybersecurity challenges and honed my skills in risk analysis, strategic planning, and technical problem-solving. Working with teammates Clyde and Bilal, and with the invaluable guidance of Professor Teresa Duvall, this experience deepened my understanding of cybersecurity best practices and highlighted the importance of teamwork and communication in achieving successful outcomes.