Cybersecurity Presales Intern

Overview

As part of the GPSU program, we are seeking a Cybersecurity Presales Intern to support GuidePoint Security's Heartland region. In this role, you will get hands-on experience in three core areas: certification and technical foundations, presales and client engagement, technical delivery and writing, and vendor knowledge. Experienced practitioners will mentor you directly on real work, not simulations. You don't need prior experience in this exact role, but you do need technical aptitude, a habit of learning on your own, and real curiosity about cybersecurity.

You must be pursuing or have recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related field. We will also consider Associate's degree candidates who show self-study and lab work. Non-traditional backgrounds are welcome to apply, including career changers, military veterans, and self-taught candidates, as long as they show equivalent knowledge. You will work with the Heartland presales team, shadowing senior consultants on client engagements and attending internal presales and delivery meetings to learn the business. This internship is a pathway to full-time employment. Candidates who show competence and cultural fit may receive a full-time offer, with a growth path to Pre-Sales Cybersecurity Technical Advisor and a long-term path toward CISSP-level certifications and senior advisory roles.

Responsibilities

• Certification & Technical Foundation
• Build a certification foundation with company-sponsored exam vouchers, including Security+, Network+, CySA+, and cloud certifications
• Complete hands-on lab work to strengthen skills in networking, operating systems, cloud, and security
• Take part in CTF platforms such as HackTheBox and TryHackMe to build practical offensive and defensive skills
• Gain exposure to SIEM, vulnerability scanning, and endpoint security tools in lab and real-world settings under mentorship

• Presales & Client Engagement
• Shadow senior consultants on real client engagements, gaining early exposure to professional security consulting
• Attend internal presales and delivery meetings to learn how GuidePoint scopes, sells, and delivers solutions
• Practice explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences in client-facing settings under mentorship
• Support the preparation of presales materials, demos, and technical discussions alongside the Heartland team

• Technical Writing & Vendor Knowledge
• Practice technical writing, including executive summaries and findings reports
• Build vendor-specific product knowledge aligned to GuidePoint's technology partnerships
• Research and document how partner solutions map to common client security challenges
• Document lab work, engagement observations, and lessons learned to support your own growth and the team's knowledge base

Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related field. Associate's degree candidates with self-study and lab work, and non-traditional backgrounds with equivalent knowledge, will be considered
• Foundational knowledge of networking, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, HTTP/S, subnetting, VLANs, firewalls, and routing basics
• Exemplifying leadership tendencies, such as leading student organizations or industry clubs
• Comfort navigating both Windows and Linux, with command-line proficiency
• Understanding of core security concepts, including the CIA triad, authentication vs. authorization, encryption basics, and common attack vectors (phishing, malware, ransomware, social engineering)
• Basic understanding of at least one major cloud provider (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and the shared responsibility model
• A habit of self-directed learning, shown through home labs, CTFs, blogs, or personal projects
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences
• Coachable and open to feedback. You don't need to be right, you need to get it right.
• A self-starter who looks for work without being told, and has a collaborative, team-oriented mindset
• Professional maturity: punctual, reliable, responsive, and presentable in client-facing settings

Preferred Qualifications

• Active participation in cybersecurity communities (meetups, BSides, DEFCON, Discord/Slack groups)
• Any existing certifications (CompTIA ITF+, A+, Network+, Security+)
• Exposure to a SIEM, vulnerability scanner, or endpoint security tool, even in a lab environment
• Basic scripting ability (Python, PowerShell, or Bash)
• Previous customer-facing experience of any kind (retail, help desk, tutoring, etc.)

Internship Details and Expectations

This is a part-time, remote paid internship ($20/hr) that runs for 12 weeks from January 11 - April 2, 2027, with an optional in-person onboarding in Tampa FL during the first week. There is the potential for full-time employment at the end of the internship. During this internship, interns are expected to:

• Be located near Tulsa, OK, or be willing to relocate there for follow-on full-time hire
• Be physically located within the United States for the entire internship
• Work 20-29 hrs/wk during standard business hours supporting the Central Time Zone
• Have a personal computing device and high-speed internet access during working hours

This position is not available for candidates living in the following states: Alaska, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.

The below perks are for those that join GuidePoint Security for full-time employment only.