Associate Cybersecurity Specialist – 2027

IBM; Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM Consulting is seeking an Associate Cybersecurity Specialist in Michigan. You will help organizations protect critical systems, data, and operations while enabling secure digital transformation and AI adoption.

You’ll work in a cybersecurity practice across threat detection, monitoring, vulnerability management, and incident response, with opportunities to develop expertise in CyberDefend or Cyber Threat Management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or near completion in Cybersecurity, CS, IS, Engineering, IT, or related field.
• Foundational knowledge of cybersecurity principles, networking, OS, and information security concepts.
• Understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, attack techniques and best practices; interest in reducing cybersecurity risks.
• Exposure to security monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, IAM, or risk concepts through coursework or internships.
• Foundational understanding of AI, Generative AI, and cybersecurity implications.
• Experience with cloud technologies, enterprise environments, or cybersecurity tools through coursework or projects.
• Demonstrated application of cybersecurity, technical, or analytical skills through coursework, labs, or internships.

Responsibilities

• Protect critical systems, data, and operations from cyber threats.
• Assist with threat detection, security monitoring, vulnerability management, and incident response.
• Contribute to governance, risk, compliance, and security assessments.
• Develop specialization areas such as CyberDefend or Cyber Threat Management while building a broad consulting foundation.
• Collaborate with security consultants, threat analysts, and AI specialists on client projects.

Skills

Cybersecurity basics

Networking fundamentals

Operating systems concepts

Security principles

AI in security

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity/CS/IS

Tools

Security monitoring tools

Job description

Introduction

In 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.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid: 1 days a week in office based on project requirements

To give yourself the best opportunity for success, we advise applying only to roles that align with your skills and experience, rather than applying broadly across all entry‑level positions. You’ll receive a status update email for each application, so be sure to check your IBM Careers account regularly — it’s the best way to get a centralized view of which roles you have active applications against.

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 an IBMer.

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.