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BRISTOL, R.I. – From competing in experiential cybersecurity challenges to excelling in a challenging internship at leading aerospace and defense firm RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies), Nicole Black '24 has turned her passion for cybersecurity into a career, securing a full-time role as a Cyber Analyst at Raytheon.

Black, who graduated at the top of the School of Justice Studies Class of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity & Networking, attributes her success to �鶹ɫ��Ƭ’s rigorous coursework, hands-on learning experiences, and faculty mentorship. Her studies in security techniques, Linux operating systems, networking, and cloud computing gave her the technical expertise needed to thrive in the field, while learning programming languages like Python set her apart from graduates of other cybersecurity programs.

Beyond the classroom, Black honed her skills as a member of �鶹ɫ��Ƭ’s Cyber and Intel Competition (CIC) team, which competed at the Northeast Collegiate Cyber Defence Competition (NECCDC) at Pace University last April. Encouraged by Information Security Officer and Adjunct Professor Allan Ramella, she joined the team’s Security Operations Center (SOC), where she gained experience in threat detection, system hardening, and using security tools such as the SIEM platform Wazuh.

“I chose �鶹ɫ��Ƭ particularly because they have a well-known cybersecurity program, so I was very excited to compete in NECCDC at Pace University,” Black said. “This was an incredibly valuable hands-on experience where I learned about protecting and responding to a cyber threat.”

Her involvement in CIC, paired with an internship at Raytheon, proved to be a launching pad for her career. Assistant Professor of Justice Studies Russell Beauchemin recognized the Bristol, R.I. native’s potential and motivated her to apply for the internship. As an intern, Black worked alongside Information System Security Officers, learning how to identify insider threats, work with cybersecurity tools, and manage hardware security. Black credits this experience in leading to her current role at Raytheon.

Now, as a Cyber Analyst, Black monitors security logs for potential threats, tracks classified equipment to ensure its integrity, and is developing a cybersecurity playbook to guide new employees through Raytheon’s business processes. She also conducts security audits in Windows and Linux operating systems, ensuring employees practice effective cybersecurity practices.

Reflecting on her time at �鶹ɫ��Ƭ, Black credits the university’s rigorous academic programs and experiential learning opportunities for equipping her with the tools for success.

“These experiences showed me the importance of critical thinking, hard work, and collaboration,” she said. “I also learned the value of teamwork and skills such as writing and presenting. The School of Justice Studies helped me learn all of these valuable skills that furthered my career in cybersecurity.”