Louisiana State University of Alexandra (LSUA) and LSU Shreveport (LSUS) are collaborating with Ingalls Information Security to grow and strengthen the cybersecurity workforce in Louisiana.

Under a formalized internship program, cohorts of up to four LSU students at a time can receive course credit while working as junior cybersecurity analysts at Ingalls, operating out of the company’s Security Operations Center (SOC) to help banks, insurance companies, hospitals and other organizations to secure their networks and data.

“Operating a SOC requires multiple tiers of analysts, from beginners to experts,” says Jason Ingalls, founder and CEO of the company. “It provides an excellent learning opportunity for junior analysts to come in and get their bearings. We can hand junior analysts a playbook of things they have to do every day, and then have more senior analysts evaluate their work and forward it on to our tier-two folks who have certifications and college degrees — maybe both.”

According to Ingalls, the workforce gap for cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. can be difficult to fully appreciate, especially on the local or regional scale.

“There are a lot of different cybersecurity products available on the market, but these tools are only as effective as the teams maintaining, monitoring and using them,” Ingalls says. “Cybersecurity tools alone just aren’t enough. We need people here to protect organizations in Louisiana, and that’s why our focus is on growing talent, including by partnering with LSU.”

LSUA junior Elizabeth Gallo recently completed the internship Ingalls program while working toward her bachelor’s degree in business administration.

“I’m so thankful I took the initiative to apply for the internship program because it’s been, honestly, a complete game-changer for me,” Gallo says. “I’m now certain I want a career in cybersecurity, and I’m looking at double majoring at LSUA, so I’ll also graduate with a degree in computer science or cybersecurity.”

Source: Bossier Press-Tribune