Energy CyberLearn Program Expands to Train the Next Generation of Cybersecure Energy Leaders

Stony Brook University's Office for Research and Innovation has launched the second year of the Energy CyberLearn Internship Program, an industry-driven initiative designed to prepare students for the cybersecurity challenges facing the energy and utilities sector.

Held on October 20 in partnership with the Critical Infrastructure Security Consortium, the session introduced students to a 14-week interdisciplinary curriculum that spans two semesters and combines in-person and virtual lectures. The program culminates in paid summer internships with energy developers, utilities, government agencies, and research labs.

Funded entirely by industry partners on the Advanced Energy Research & Technology Center (AERTC) Advisory Board at Stony Brook, the Energy CyberLearn program offers students hands-on experience and professional development support, including LinkedIn and résumé workshops, as well as mock interviews.

"Energy CyberLearn is the kind of bridge that makes a real difference," said Abdelrahim Brown, center director of the 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."

Growth Fueled by Industry Support

Following a successful pilot year, enrollment in Energy CyberLearn has grown significantly from 27 students in its inaugural year to 42 this year, reflecting rising interest in cybersecurity within the energy field.

"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."

Last year's 27 participants represented a wide range of majors - from computer science and applied mathematics to philosophy and political science - and 15 went on to secure paid internships at organizations such as Amazon, LIPA, 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."

Building a Pipeline from High School to the Energy Workforce

The program's reach extends beyond the university. One of this year's new interns, a first-year computer science major, first connected with Stony Brook through the Summer Youth Employment Program while attending Bellport High School in 2024. Now a member of the WISE Honors Program, she's participating in Energy CyberLearn as part of her academic journey, an example of how the university is cultivating long-term career pathways for students from high school through college.

"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, a student in this year's cohort. "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."

A Diverse Cohort for a Secure Energy Future

The 2025-26 Energy CyberLearn cohort spans majors including applied mathematics and statistics, business management, computer science, data science, electrical and computer engineering, industrial engineering, political science, and 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 the Energy CyberLearn 2024-2025 cohort who is now a data and security analyst intern at LIPA. "It gave me the confidence to approach industry leaders and then keep the conversation going. As with anything in life, you get as much as you put into it. The program helped me land my internship through the connections I made with presenters from our sessions, as well as by keeping in touch with peers from the classroom who are now becoming my colleagues. It's one of the essential stepping stones you can find on campus in figuring out what you want to do after graduation. The technical expertise and foundation of knowledge about the industry landscape I gained here were paramount to my success."

By fostering collaboration across disciplines and connecting students directly with employers, Stony Brook's Energy CyberLearn Internship Program continues to strengthen the cybersecurity talent pipeline that will be critical to New York's clean energy transition.