Computer Science Student Earns Prestigious NSA Internship

The 10-week internship program was established in 2022 with the goal to expose participating students to High Performance Computing (HPC), a field critical to national security, discovery and technological innovation. Lowden is the first ASU student to earn a place in the prestigious program. Under the mentorship of NSA professionals, she will gain valuable hands-on experience and enhance her technical skills while working on a research project aimed at advancing HPC capabilities.

Hailey Lowden “I want to gain a deep understanding of how HPC works, how it can strengthen current security measures, and how it might also introduce new vulnerabilities,” Lowden said. “Additionally, having the chance to learn from NSA experts is an invaluable experience. Through this internship, I hope to enhance my technical expertise, develop my project management and public speaking skills, and expand my overall cybersecurity knowledge.”

As a NSA intern, Lowden will also receive an $850 weekly stipend, as well as funded transportation, lodging and meals. At the conclusion of her internship in August, she will present the results of her research to NSA senior leaders, technical personnel, and research and academic partners.

Dr. Don Topliff “We are thrilled that Hailey’s outstanding achievements in the fields of computer science and cybersecurity have been acknowledged by the NSA,” said Dr. Don Topliff, ASU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Those who work alongside Hailey quickly recognize her dedication to academic excellence, leadership and service, and those same attributes will serve her well in the internship position. She has elevated her skills through obtaining industry certifications and has emerged as a leader among her peers at ASU. Her hard work and commitment to success are truly commendable. We have no doubt that she will continue to make a meaningful impact in all her future endeavors.”

A student worker in ASU’s award-winning Regional Security Operations Center, Lowden is also an active member of the Guardians of the Grid cybersecurity student organization.

“I love everything about cybersecurity,” Lowden said. “It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing that fuels my passion because the field is so vast and constantly evolving. More than just securing digital systems, cybersecurity requires expertise in networking, software development, malware analysis, engineering, management and even physical security. After all, how can you protect something if you don’t understand how it works?”

A regular on the ASU Dean’s List, Lowden has previously competed in the Hivestorm collegiate cyber defense competition through the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS), and placed in the top 100 in the nation. She was also captain of the ASU team that competed in the CIAS Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.