IT Intern – Information Security

At American Equity we offer leading annuity products that help empower our clients to fulfill their needs and wants in retirement. Our success comes from hiring high-energy individuals who embody the beliefs that drive our unique culture. We currently fund over half a million retirements nationwide, and have been headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, for over twenty-five years with satellite offices in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY.

The American Equity Summer Internship Program offers an immersive real-world experience, closely replicating the career journey of an American Equity professional. Each intern will contribute to meaningful, hands-on projects that drive measurable business outcomes, gaining valuable experience along the way.

Interns will also have the opportunity to present their project work to company leaders, network with executives, and participate in educational programs designed to support their personal and professional growth. Additionally, interns will engage in community service projects and social events, building connections with fellow interns and the broader American Equity team.

The internship will be a 10 week program located at our downtown Des Moines office.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:   

The Information Security Intern directly contributes to meaningful projects within the Information Security function within American Equity. This position is involved in the daily execution of information security operations to learn and experience key tasks within a security organization. The Information Security Intern has the opportunity to deliver an information security related project designed to reinforce the intern’s acquired knowledge on the information security skills learned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Learn and understand the information security processes around detection, investigation, and reporting of events within the corporate controls and SIEM infrastructure that may be indicative of a security incident or potential data breach.
• Uses information security frameworks, standards, and best practices as defined by the Information Security Team.
• Makes updates as appropriate to existing systems to support security controls and projects.
• May assist with documentation of procedures used within the department.
• Learns, follows, and may provide input to department standards.
• Participates in all relevant project team meetings, company meetings, and 1:1s with management.
• Completes project and support tasks with guidance from mentor and department leader.
• Works with team on continuing to build information security awareness within the company.
• Interfaces with outside resources for problem solving.
• Interfaces with other IT and business areas to plan project deliveries.
• Provides updates of all completed, on-going and future tasks in order to keep management updated on progress.
• Follows information security project timelines.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Direct Reports: 0

General Description of Indirect Reports (2 and 3-downs):  0

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Information Security, Computer Science, Managing Information Systems, or other computing field of study.

Other preferred skills and experience:

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS: 

None required for this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• General understanding of security technologies for websites/applications, networks, servers, desktops and databases.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite
• Good communication skills, problem solving skills, and the ability to work in a diverse environment
• Learn quickly when faced with new challenges and situations; analyze success and failures
• Collaborative & team-oriented sharing the responsibility of work and accountability for outcomes with team members; uncovering new perspectives through inclusion
• Demonstrate a high level of accountability setting personal goals and working to align these with business activities; work in an organized matter
• Results driven with a sense of urgency that motivates others to achieve goals and improve performance.
• Maintaining respectful interactions with others.
• Ability to make quick decisions with available information.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and self-motivated.
• Works to understand business implication of work.
• Ability to work effectively in team environment.
• Works to possess professionalism and the ability to follow-through.
• Adaptable to change, delays and unexpected events.

DISCLAIMER
This description covers the major purpose and essential functions of the job. It is not intended to give all details or a step-by-step account of the way each task is to be performed. Employees may receive other job related instructions and be required to perform other job related work requested by their manager. All requirements are subject to possible modification to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.