Associate Cybersecurity Specialist – 2027

IBM; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM Consulting is seeking an Associate Cybersecurity Specialist in the Baton Rouge area to help protect critical systems and enable secure digital transformation. You will work with threat analysts, incident responders, and AI specialists on varied projects for public and private sector clients.

As a junior professional, you will gain hands-on client experience, mentorship, and resources to certify in cybersecurity domains while developing consulting, communication, and collaboration skills for

Qualifications

• Currently completing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Foundational knowledge of cybersecurity principles, networking, operating systems, and information security concepts.
• Understanding of common cyber threats, vulnerabilities, attack techniques, and security best practices, with an interest in helping organizations identify, reduce, and manage cybersecurity risks.
• Exposure to security monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, identity and access management, or risk management concepts through coursework, labs, projects, cyber competitions, or internships.
• Foundational understanding of Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, and the cybersecurity opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies.
• Exposure to cloud technologies, enterprise environments, or cybersecurity tools through coursework, labs, certifications, projects, or personal learning.
• Demonstrated application of cybersecurity, technical, or analytical skills through coursework, labs, projects, cyber competitions, research, internships, or personal learning.

Responsibilities

• Assist in protecting critical systems, data, and operations from cyber threats.
• Participate in security assessments, monitoring, and governance activities.
• Build foundational cybersecurity consulting skills and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Contribute to secure digital transformation and AI adoption initiatives.

Skills

Cybersecurity foundations

Threat knowledge

Security monitoring

Incident response

Vulnerability management

Identity and access management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity or related field

Job description

IntroductionIn this role, you'll work in one of our IBM Consulting FutureNow Centers, where we deliver deep technical and industry expertise to a wide range of public and private sector clients around the world. Our delivery centers offer our clients locally based skills and technical expertise to drive innovation and adoption of new technology. As an Associate at IBM, you'll work with clients to help solve real-world business challenges through technology, innovation, and consulting. From day one, you'll gain hands-on experience on real client projects while receiving professional and technical mentorship, career coaching, and access to certification opportunities. At IBM, AI is part of how we deliver solutions, accelerate development, analyze data, automate business processes, and help clients solve complex business challenges. You'll also develop the consulting, communication, and collaboration skills needed to work effectively with clients and multidisciplinary teams throughout your career.

Your Role And Responsibilities

As an Associate Cybersecurity Specialist at IBM, you'll help organizations protect critical systems, data, and operations from evolving cyber threats while enabling secure digital transformation and AI adoption. As part of our cybersecurity practice, you'll help clients strengthen their cyber resilience across areas such as threat detection, security monitoring, vulnerability management, incident response, governance, risk, compliance, and security assessments. Based on business needs, your skills, and your interests, you'll have opportunities to develop specialized expertise across CyberDefend or Cyber Threat Management while building a broad foundation in cybersecurity consulting. No two projects are exactly alike. You could support healthcare, financial services, public sector, retail, or manufacturing clients. Work side-by-side with experienced security consultants, threat analysts, incident responders, architects, and AI specialists to solve real-world security challenges. You'll help clients strengthen cyber resilience while gaining experience protecting critical systems that support organizations around the world. We\'re not looking for cybersecurity experts; we hire for potential, curiosity, and a passion for learning, and we\'ll help you grow through mentorship, certifications, structured learning, and hands-on client experiences.

Preferred Education

Bachelor's Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

• Currently completing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Foundational knowledge of cybersecurity principles, networking, operating systems, and information security concepts.
• Understanding of common cyber threats, vulnerabilities, attack techniques, and security best practices, with an interest in helping organizations identify, reduce, and manage cybersecurity risks.
• Exposure to security monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, identity and access management, or risk management concepts through coursework, labs, projects, cyber competitions, or internships.
• Foundational understanding of Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, and the cybersecurity opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies.
• Exposure to cloud technologies, enterprise environments, or cybersecurity tools through coursework, labs, certifications, projects, or personal learning.
• Demonstrated application of cybersecurity, technical, or analytical skills through coursework, labs, projects, cyber competitions, research, internships, or personal learning.

You don\'t need to be an expert to get started. We\'re looking for individuals with a strong foundation, a growth mindset, and a desire to learn and make an impact. Bring your curiosity. Grow your skills. Build what\'s next, like anIBMer.

Preferred Technical And Professional Experience

• Exposure to cybersecurity operations, threat management, governance, risk, compliance, or security-related projects through academic, personal, or internship experiences.
• Ability to analyze security risks and communicate technical concepts clearly while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to help clients strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
• Experience working with cloud security concepts, security monitoring tools, threat intelligence, vulnerability assessment, or recognized security frameworks through coursework, projects, labs, or internships.