By Tim Ryan
Are you a small business in Hampton Roads seeking to enhance your cybersecurity but lacking the resources to do so? Old Dominion University (ODU) and Coastal Virginia Center for Cyber Innovation (COVA CCI) are offering an incredible opportunity in the form of their Cybersecurity Internship Clinic for Spring 2025. This program provides pro bono (free!) Cybersecurity-as-a-Service to help strengthen local small businesses, non-profits, and government agencies’ cyber readiness while giving students valuable hands-on experience.
What is the Cybersecurity Internship Clinic?
ODU’s Cybersecurity Internship Clinic, part of the COVA CCI initiative, delivers vital cybersecurity services to client organizations that may not have robust cyber capabilities. Using a carefully selected cohort of students from ODU, the clinic offers a range of services, including risk assessment and cyber posture evaluation. For businesses and organizations, this means receiving top-tier cybersecurity advice and guidance at no cost, all while contributing to the real-world education of future cybersecurity professionals.
Who Should Participate?
The clinic is specifically designed for small businesses, non-profits, and local government agencies that can benefit from improved cybersecurity awareness. Many organizations in Hampton Roads are under-resourced in this critical area, and this program aims to bridge that gap by providing essential education, risk management, and cybersecurity services.
What to Expect
The clinic runs for 15 weeks during the academic semester. Businesses typically begin working with the student team around week 8, either in person or virtually via Zoom. The clinic concludes with a final on-site briefing at ODU, where students present their findings and recommendations.
This is more than just a one-time service—by participating, businesses gain long-term knowledge and insights into strengthening their cybersecurity. The best part? The services are completely free.
Why Participate?
Cyber threats are increasingly targeting small businesses that often lack the resources for sophisticated security measures. Participating in the ODU Cybersecurity Internship Clinic not only strengthens your organization’s defenses but also empowers students to apply their academic learning in a real-world setting, helping to build a more cyber-resilient Hampton Roads community.
Ready to Apply?
If your business or organization is interested in participating in the Spring 2025 cohort, applications are now open. You can apply here. For more information on the program and to watch a short introductory video, visit the Cyber Clinicwebsite.
For any additional questions, contact the COVA CCI team at covacci@odu.edu. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss—boost your cybersecurity, support local students, and strengthen your business for the future!
Download a flyer here.
