If you’re a high school student looking to work on a portfolio/college application in cybersecurity, a summer program can be a solid way to get started. These programs introduce you to concepts like ethical hacking, cyber defense, and encryption while helping you develop technical skills. You’ll get experience analyzing security threats, defending networks, and working with real-world cybersecurity tools.
Cybersecurity offers careers in engineering, digital forensics, and risk analysis, and early experience can give you an edge. Many programs offer mentorship from industry professionals, exposure to real security breaches, and training in risk assessment and data protection.
To help you explore your options, here’s a list of 10 cybersecurity pre-college programs for high school students!
Note: When we say pre-college programs, we have only included programs in cybersecurity hosted by universities!
10 Cybersecurity Pre-College Programs for High School Students
1. Intensive Research Internship @ UT Dallas
Cost: $1000 (scholarships are available for low-income students)
Location: Richardson, TX
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: June 9 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students with proficiency in programming
The Intensive Research Internship at UT Dallas is an eight-week summer program where you will conduct research in app development, cybersecurity, machine learning, and data analysis. You will work with faculty mentors on projects that help you develop coding, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills for academic and professional growth.
As an intern, you can expect to spend 20 to 40 hours per week reading academic papers, designing algorithms, testing security vulnerabilities, optimizing machine learning models, and analyzing large datasets.
2. NYU’s Computer Science for Cyber Security
Cost: Free
Location: New York City, NY
Application Deadline: April 15
Program Dates: July 14 – August 8
Eligibility: Open to NYC residents in 10th and 11th grade
NYU’s Computer Science for Cyber Security is a three-week summer program that introduces you to core concepts in computer science and cybersecurity. You will explore software tools and techniques used to detect and prevent cyber threats while gaining hands-on experience in areas like cryptography, digital forensics, and network security.
The program covers topics such as ethical hacking, steganography, and the responsible use of private data. You will analyze real-world cybersecurity challenges, learn to secure systems against attacks and develop problem-solving skills essential for the field.
3. USF High School CyberCon
Cost: $450
Location: Tampa, FL
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: July 21 – 25
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
The CyberCon at the University of South Florida is a weeklong cybersecurity camp designed like a professional conference for high school students in grades 9-12. You’ll explore security concepts through hands-on workshops, expert-led lectures, and real-world problem-solving challenges.
One of the highlights is the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, where you’ll apply cryptography, network security, and ethical hacking techniques to solve security puzzles. Throughout the week, you’ll explore topics like penetration testing, digital forensics, and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity careers, gaining a deeper understanding of how security professionals protect critical systems.
4. Cybersecurity & Privacy – Northeastern Pre-College Program
Cost: $6895 (Need-based aid and financial aid available)
Location: Boston, MA
Application Deadline: Applications are open until spots are filled!
Program Dates: July 6 – 18
Eligibility: Open to students with a basic working knowledge of coding
The Cybersecurity & Privacy program at Northeastern is a two-week crash course in cybersecurity, giving you a deep dive into digital security threats and defense strategies. You’ll engage in interactive lectures, hands-on challenges, expert-led discussions, and Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, applying cybersecurity principles in real-world scenarios.
You’ll work with Linux commands, shell scripting, and network analysis tools like Wireshark, gaining practical skills for system security and threat detection. The curriculum covers computing systems, cryptography, online privacy, and modern security risks related to GPS, Wi-Fi, and IoT.
5. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute – Embedded Security and Hardware Hacking
Cost: Free for families who make <150k; $1750 for those who make >150k
Location: Cambridge, MA
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: July 7 – August 3
Eligibility: Open to U.S. high school students
The Beaver Works Summer Institute is an advanced, project-based program that spans several months, starting with two online prep sessions from January to May. While the online coursework is open to all applicants, only a select few earn a spot in the four-week in-person summer program, where theory turns into hands-on problem-solving.
In the Embedded Security and Hardware Hacking course, you’ll analyze and defend against security threats in embedded systems. You’ll probe cryptographic protocol vulnerabilities, perform JTAG and UART attacks, conduct side-channel analysis and fault injection, and even investigate hardware Trojans.
6. PNW’s GenCyberCamps
Cost: Free
Location: Purdue University, IN
Application Deadline: Students can register until the camp starts!
Program Dates: June 9 – 13
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The GenCyberCamps at PNW focus on practical cybersecurity skills through hands-on labs, case studies, and problem-solving exercises. You will work on risk management, penetration testing, ethical hacking, and cryptography while analyzing real-world cyber threats.
The program covers wireless security, encryption techniques, digital forensics, and network defense strategies. You will work with packet analyzers, security scanners, and forensic tools to assess vulnerabilities and investigate cyber incidents.
7. QU Hacker High School: Introduction to Cybersecurity
Cost: $3360 (residential); $2400 (commuter)
Location: Hamden, CT
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in June
Program Dates: July 14 – 25
Eligibility: Open to high school students between 15-18
QU Hacker High School: Introduction to Cybersecurity is a two-week program that trains you in network security, digital forensics, malware analysis, and ethical hacking. Run in collaboration with ISECOM, the program teaches you how to secure systems, analyze cyber threats, and protect digital identities.
Each year, around 30 students participate in hands-on exercises, security assessments, and real-world attack simulations. The program includes field trips to reinforce learning. Completing the program earns you a certificate and makes you eligible for the Certified Hacker Analyst exam by ISECOM.
8. NSLC’s Cybersecurity High School Summer Program
Cost: $4095
Location: Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD
Application Deadline: Applications are open until all spots are filled
Program Dates: June 15 – 23; June 27 – July 5; July 10 – 18
Eligibility: Open to high school students between the ages 14-18 with at least one year of high school completed
NSLC’s Cybersecurity High School Summer Program is a nine-day program where you will learn ethical hacking, digital forensics, cryptography, and network security. You will work on real-world cyber challenges, gaining skills in penetration testing, malware analysis, encryption techniques, and log analysis.
Guided by industry professionals, you will participate in hands-on exercises and security simulations, using packet sniffers, forensic tools, and intrusion detection systems. The program includes field trips to organizations like the FBI and Google DC, offering insight into threat intelligence and cyber defense strategies. You can also earn college credits through American University.
9. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Cost: Individual Research Program ($2,990), Premium Research & Publication Program ($5,900), the Research Fellowship ($,8900), Professor Premium Publication Program ($8,900). Need-based financial aid is available.
Location: Remote
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I application deadline is April 13!
Eligibility: Open to high school students anywhere in the world
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students, across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
10. Veritas AI – Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: The summer early admission application deadline is March 23!
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort.
Eligibility: Open to high school students anywhere in the world. For the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, students are required to have prior experience in Python or should have completed the AI Scholars program.
Veritas AI gives you the chance to learn artificial intelligence through hands-on projects, group learning, and one-on-one mentorship. The programs are run by Harvard graduate students and alumni, guiding you as you explore AI. To join the fellowship, you should have a basic understanding of Python or complete the AI Scholars program first.
In the AI Fellowship, you’ll work on your research project over 12 to 15 weeks, combining AI with topics that interest you, like medicine, finance, or environmental science. Past students have explored AI’s role in education, healthcare, and sustainability, gaining real experience in applying AI to real-world challenges. You can find examples of previous projects here.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like cybersecurity and computer science, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: The University of Texas at Dallas
