If you’re a high school student interested in cyber security, consider a summer program in the field!
Competitive cybersecurity summer programs curated for high school students can help you advanced technical skills and gain hands-on experience in a rapidly evolving field. These programs can provide you with immersive training in areas such as network security, ethical hacking, and digital forensics, often involving real-world scenarios and cutting-edge tools. By participating, you not only enhance your problem-solving abilities but also help you gain a deep understanding of the challenges and solutions within cybersecurity. This is a solid advantage, as you can use this skillset to apply to research programs as an undergraduate, or engage in an internship in the field with prestigious organizations are 12 cybersecurity summer programs for high school students!
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in a range of fields including data science, machine learning, biology, and cybersecurity, with options for both quantitative and qualitative research. You will choose a subject track and are paired with a top university professor or Ph.D. scholar who mentors them throughout their research journey. Participants work on a 20-page, university-level research paper that can be submitted to prestigious journals.
As part of the the Cybersecurity track, you will first learn about computer communications over the internet and then apply machine learning techniques to detect compromised machines, denial of service attacks, and hijacking attempts. The program also provides detailed project feedback and a letter of recommendation for each student. This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Date: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
- Summer seminar — June 24, 2024 — September 2, 2024
- Fall seminar — October 23, 2024 — February 19, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
CS4CS is a three-week cybersecurity summer program tailored for high school students with little to no prior experience in the field. Hosted by NYU faculty and graduates, the program covers a broad spectrum of topics including digital forensics, cryptography, steganography, and privacy.
You will gain hands-on experience with software tools and techniques for detecting and investigating cyber threats, learn about ciphers and coding, and explore the behavioral science behind cyber attacks. Additionally, the program includes Irondale, a component designed to enhance communication and public speaking skills through improv exercises.
Location: NYU Downtown Brooklyn Campus, NY
Cost: Free. The program will provide full scholarships to students.
Application deadline: April 14, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program dates: July 15 — August 9, 2024. TBD for 2025
Eligibility:
- Students enrolled in 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade
- Residing in New York City or neighboring cities
This one-week, non-residential cybersecurity summer camp for high school students is sponsored by the prestigious National Security Agency’s (NSA) GenCyber program, making it one of the top pre-college opportunities for computer science enthusiasts. Topics covered include internet safety, ethics, cryptography, network scanning, and deep fakes, providing a comprehensive foundation in cybersecurity and related subjects. Open to all high school students, regardless of their prior experience, the camp offers a versatile curriculum that combines both theoretical and practical approaches - this is particularly useful if your focus lies on developing a robust skillset including both hard and soft skills in the field.
Location: UMKC Campus, Kansas City, MO
Cost: Free
Application deadline: NA
Program dates: Camp 1: July 22 — July 26; Camp 2: July 29 — August 2. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th graders
This selective one-week cybersecurity summer camp accepts only 25 students for its prestigious on-campus edition, so showcasing a strong passion for the field in your application is crucial! If admitted, you’ll learn from IT and computer science professionals at IU Indianapolis, gaining skills to “detect, diagnose, and fix” digital vulnerabilities.
The comprehensive curriculum covers Operating System fundamentals, vulnerability detection, network security, and more. For those who cannot attend in person, the program also offers virtual camps to ensure broader access to its valuable training.
Location: In-person at Indiana University, IN, or virtual.
Cost: Fully-funded, no cost to attend, with lunch included for students joining in-person.
Application deadline: May 20, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program dates: June 3 — June 7, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: High school students
PNW’s GenCyberCamps offers an engaging, gamified learning experience designed to build cybersecurity awareness and skills. You will engage in lab research, interactive game-play, and case studies to explore cyber defense and risk management in depth.
The curriculum covers a broad range of topics including wireless network security, cryptography, and ethical hacking. Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate that can enhance your college applications, particularly for programs specializing in cybersecurity.
Location: Purdue University Northwest’s Hammond Campus, IN
Cost: Free
Application deadline: NA
Program dates: Session 1: June 10 — June 14; Session 2: June 17 — June 21. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: High school students
Fully funded by the NSA and NSF, UNT’s GenCyber Cybersecurity Summer Camps are prestigious programs tailored for high school students aspiring to pursue a career in cybersecurity. Hosted by the University of North Texas at multiple locations nationwide, each five-day camp is designed to be introductory, with no prior cybersecurity experience required for most camps (except for Advanced Camps). The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including cryptography, network security, and digital forensics, and is delivered through interactive methods such as games, lab work, and simulations to effectively build essential cybersecurity skills.
Location: University of North Texas Campus, TX
Cost: Free
Application deadline: NA
Program dates: Camp 1: June 5 — June 9; Camp 2: June 12 — June 16; Camp 3: June 19 — June 23; Camp 4: June 26 — June 30. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Students in 7th — 11th grades
For high school students with a solid grasp of cybersecurity, this eight to ten-week summer apprenticeship program by the Diversity Cyber Council (DCC) is an excellent way to enhance your CV. Aimed particularly at students from underrepresented communities, the program provides hands-on experience in technology and cybersecurity.
You will engage in instructor-led lessons and practical training to explore the complexities of cybersecurity. Additionally, you will earn a CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certificate, which can strengthen your college application. The program also focuses on developing communication skills and cybersecurity policy knowledge, ensuring comprehensive growth for participants.
Location: Diversity Cyber Council, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free! Students will receive stipends.
Application deadline: Unspecified. Currently accepting applications here.
Program dates: Unspecified.
Eligibility:
- Must be an incoming high school junior/senior.
- Must have completed at least one computer science or related class with a passing grade.
- Must be eligible for WIOA or a similar financial assistance program.
- Must provide a LOR from a high school counselor/representative.
- Must pass the Diversity Cyber Council’s digital literacy assessments.
The Beaver Works Summer Institute at MIT offers a four-week program designed for ambitious high school seniors to enhance their STEM skills. The program features both online and in-person components across various courses. For those interested in cybersecurity, students can opt for the Cyber Security in Software Intensive Systems course.
This course covers a comprehensive range of cybersecurity topics, including intelligence, network defense, digital forensics, malware analysis, and offensive security. The program also offers other computer science-related courses such as Embedded Security and Hardware Hacking and Serious Game Development with AI!
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Application deadline: March 31, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program dates: July 8 — August 4, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
If you’re excited about careers in IT, computer science, or cybersecurity, this program offers the skills and experience to help you achieve your goals. Developed in partnership with the prestigious Institute for Security and Open Methodologies (ISECOM), Hacker High School provides students with essential cybersecurity fundamentals and skills to protect their online presence.
Each year, approximately 30 participants are selected for a two-week, hands-on course covering topics such as internet infrastructure, malware, and attack analysis, complemented by field trips and excursions. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a certificate and be prepared to take the official Certified Hacker Analyst exam by ISECOM.
Location: Quinnipiac University Campus, Hamden, CT
Cost: Option 1: $3,360 (2-week overnight program); Option 2: $2,400 (2-week on-campus commuter program) [Financial aid is available for students with financial need and academic merit]
Application deadline: June 2, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program dates: Session 1: July 8 — July 19, 2024 | Session 2: July 22 — August 2, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 15–18
Veritas AI offers a range of AI programs for high school students, featuring close-group, collaborative learning, and customized project pathways with 1:1 mentorship. Designed and led by Harvard graduate students and alumni, these programs provide you with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research. In the AI Fellowship program, you collaborate with PhDs from top institutions on their own research projects, which can span various fields intersecting with computer science or artificial intelligence.
For instance, you can choose to work on a cybersecurity-related research project, such as developing an AI-driven system for detecting and mitigating cyber threats in real-time. Previous projects have included applications in AI & finance, AI & medicine, and educational software development. Examples of more interesting projects students have worked on can be found here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,490 for the AI Scholars program (The 10-week boot camp), $4,200 for the AI Fellowship (12–15 weeks, 1–1 mentorship). Need-based financial aid is available.
Application deadline: The program runs in cohorts, applications can be found here!
Program dates: Rolling — Cohorts during spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: High school students.
NSLC’s nine-day cybersecurity summer program is designed for high school students aiming to become ethical hackers. The program utilizes simulations to provide a realistic experience in areas such as digital forensics, cryptography, and IoT. The curriculum also includes workshops on essential soft skills like communication, resilience, and empathy, led by industry experts.
You will enjoy field trips to understand the cybersecurity frameworks of renowned organizations, such as the FBI office and Google DC. Additionally, students have the opportunity to earn AU college credits, which can enhance their college applications. For more details about this program, click here.
Location: John Hopkins University Campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: $3,795. Scholarships are available for students demonstrating financial need, academic merit, and school/community involvement
Application deadline: Applications open till space is available
Program dates: Session 1: July 10 — July 18, 2024 | Session 2: July 22 — July 30, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14–18 who have completed at least one year of high school.
This two-week program by Northeastern University provides comprehensive cybersecurity education through lectures, hands-on experiments, projects, and competitive team activities. This range of activities makes it an ideal choice for students looking to build skills in this field over the summer.
Under the guidance of experienced Northeastern faculty and graduates, you’ll delve into topics such as system and network security, online privacy, the foundations of trust, and ethics. The program also includes lab-based learning opportunities to closely examine various aspects of these subjects. Upon successful completion, you will receive a Recognition of Completion, which can strengthen your college applications.
Location: Northeastern University’s Boston Campus, MA
Cost: $6,695 (Scholarships are available!)
Application deadline: March 15, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program dates: July 21 — August 2. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility:
- Students should be rising high school juniors/seniors.
- They should be between the ages of 16–18 by the start of the program.
- They should possess basic coding knowledge.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.