X-Force Internship

Job Description

About IBM Consulting

IBM Consulting is IBM’s consulting and global professional services business, with market-leading capabilities in business and technology transformation. They offer strategy, experience, technology, and operations services to some of the world’s most innovative and valuable companies. Their expertise spans multiple industries, and they are focused on accelerating their clients’ businesses through collaboration. IBM Consulting believes in the power of technology responsibly used to help people, partners, and the planet.

About X-Force

X-Force is a team of hackers, responders, researchers, and analysts, many of whom are world-renowned security thought leaders. They partner with Fortune 1000 clients to deliver real business value by:

• Bringing together the world’s largest consulting practice with industry-leading offensive security testing capabilities.
• Teaming on all phases of engagements to plan, build, and implement advanced security testing solutions.
• Applying IBM’s global expertise and local capabilities through their unique global delivery network combined with their teams in over 170 countries.

Internship Opportunities with X-Force

Summer 2025 Internships are available for:

• Penetration Testing: Uncover security vulnerabilities in applications, networks, systems, databases, devices, and other technologies.
• Incident Response: Conduct threat hunting and forensic investigations to help organizations respond to and recover from cyberattacks.
• Threat Intelligence: Combine software development, malware analysis, and cyber threat intelligence analysis to drive intelligence operations at scale.
• Cyber Range: Create immersive simulations to guide clients through realistic cybersecurity breach scenarios.

Internship Requirements:

Required Technical and Professional Expertise:

• Demonstrated leadership and adaptability: Willingness to take ownership of challenging tasks, even beyond the initial scope of responsibility.
• Thorough and analytical: Ability to apply logic to solve problems.
• Multitasking and time management: Ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently and meet deadlines while maintaining focus under pressure.
• Problem-solving and initiative: Drive to overcome challenges and improve results; actively seek new knowledge and improve skills.
• Communication and collaboration: Effective interpersonal skills, ability to work effectively with individuals and teams, strengthening relationships for win-win solutions.
• Communication skills: Ability to communicate complex situations clearly and simply, listen actively, and convey difficult messages in a positive manner.
• Innovation and perspective: Passion for innovative ideas and ability to understand and assimilate different points of view.
• Technical Skills: Knowledge of Computer Networking Protocols; basic scripting skills (Python, Bash, PowerShell).

Availability: Must be available to work in-person starting May 2025 until August 2025 from IBM’s Austin, TX (strongly preferred) location or from IBM’s Washington D.C. or Sandy Springs, GA locations.

Visa Sponsorship: IBM will not be providing Visa sponsorship for this position, so applicants must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications for Each Internship:

X-Force Red Hacker Intern 2025

• Understanding of computer security fundamentals, such as OWASP Top 10 and pentesting methodologies.
• Basic knowledge of networks and operating systems (Windows, Linux).
• Knowledge or experience in one or more of the following Security Domains: Networking Penetration Testing, Application Penetration Testing, Red Teaming, Social Engineering, and Vulnerability Scanning.

X-Force Incident Response Intern 2025

• Proficient Programming Skills.
• Knowledge or experience in one or more of the following Security Domains: Incident Response, Digital Forensics, Tabletop Exercises, Threat Hunting, Cloud Platforms.
• Experience in some aspect of incident response planning.
• Knowledge of forensic analysis, memory analysis, and/or malware analysis.

X-Force Threat Intelligence Reverse Engineer Intern 2025

• Experience using disassemblers or debuggers.
• Familiarity with operating system internals (Windows or Linux).
• Experience developing simple tools or scripts using Python.

X-Force Cyber Range Intern 2025

• Ability to effectively communicate complex cybersecurity concepts to business-level clients in a clear and professional manner.
• A strong desire to learn security domains such as Cyber Range immersive experiences or Cyber Crisis Management.
• Strong interest in researching trending cybersecurity topics and a willingness to learn how to develop client-focused injects and storyboards that reflect current threats.
• Basic design skills, including proficiency in PowerPoint, video editing, and Adobe, are beneficial but not required.