Summer Springboard
Cybersecurity
ON THE CAMPUS OF MIT
LAUNCH YOUR FUTURE IN THE RAPIDLY GROWING WORLD OF CYBERSECURITY WITH HANDS-ON LEARNING, EXPERT INSIGHTS, AND REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES IN THIS PROGRAM HELD ON THE CAMPUS OF MIT
THIS IS A TWO-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
Cybersecurity @ Cambridge, MA
- Participate in group challenges using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and engage in a live hacking exercise
- Explore cybersecurity career paths like security analyst, ethical hacker, digital forensic investigator, and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Discover cybersecurity basics, key terminology, and environment setup
- Learn fundamentals of encryption, hashing, and encoding
- Understand common security failures and vulnerabilities
- Visit information security and technology facilities and data centers; interact with professionals dedicated to protecting students and faculty from cyber threats.
Summer Springboard
Cybersecurity
About This Course
A cybersecurity program for teens on a university campus in Cambridge, MA
Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field that plays a crucial role worldwide, tackling some of the biggest global challenges. With corporations hiring cybersecurity professionals at an accelerating pace, the Summer Springboard Pre-College Program in Cybersecurity introduces students to foundational concepts, essential tools, and key technical skills. Throughout the program, students will learn the basics of cybersecurity, including encryption, hashing, encoding, and common security failures, while developing creative thinking skills applicable to both academic and professional settings.
Students will engage in hands-on experiences like group challenges using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and live hacking exercises to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. The program also offers opportunities to explore various career paths such as security analyst, ethical hacker, digital forensic investigator, and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
This program emphasizes hands-on learning to help students master key skills. Through interactive exercises, group challenges using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), and live hacking simulations, students get to apply cybersecurity concepts like encryption, hashing, and identifying security failures in real-world scenarios. These engaging activities encourage critical thinking and problem-solving, preparing students to confidently use their skills in academic and professional settings.
Career Exploration
The program offers students a unique opportunity to explore diverse career paths in cybersecurity, including roles such as security analyst, ethical hacker, digital forensic investigator, and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Through visits to MIT’s Information Security and Technology facilities and interactions with industry professionals, students gain firsthand insight into how experts protect organizations from cyber threats. Meeting successful cybersecurity professionals allows students to ask questions, learn about real-world job experiences, and discover what it takes to build a rewarding career in this fast-growing and essential field.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“SSB has been a completely new and valuable experience. It manages to encapsulate the feeling of a fun summer getaway while still providing valuable and enlightening experiences that educate and help to guide students through their future.”
-Emir B. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Cybersecurity
Meet Your Instructor
Bobby Rauch is a Boston-based offensive security engineer and red teamer at a Fortune 500 and a security researcher. He has found high severity vulnerabilities in Fortune 500 companies including Microsoft, Apple, and Oracle. His research has been published by the Boston Globe, Brian Krebs, Bleeping Computer, Ars Technica, and other major tech publications. His technical blog posts have been read more than 200,000 times, and he has spoken at offensive security conferences around the world including Hardwear.io, m0lecon Turin, and Bsides London. Bobby designed and recorded an introductory cybersecurity course for the online learning platform, LinkedIn Learning. Bobby also serves as a mentor helping advise those who are trying to break into the cybersecurity industry. Bobby holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from MIT, as well as the OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) and OSWE (Offensive Security Web Expert) certifications.
Brady McNitt has over 15 years of experience across security and technology, with a focus on securing and enabling business at the speed of development. His career providing guidance, consultation, and expertise has spanned both public and private sectors including financial services, higher education, local and state government. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University with certifications from SANS, notably the GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) and GIAC Web Application Penetration Test (GWAPT). He is an active member of OWASP, InfraGard, and the SANS GIAC Advisory Board. In his spare time he enjoys competing in cybersecurity Capture the Flag (CTF) events, most recently the SANS NetWars Tournament of Champions, and attending training, conferences, and local security meetups including Black Hat, DEFCON, and BSides. Brady is passionate about mentoring and believes in preparing the next generation for the growing and evolving cybersecurity challenges of tomorrow.
BOBBY RAUCH
BRADY MCNITT
“My experience was very fun and I loved it. I made great lifelong friends and learned a lot. I would recommend this to anyone who is thinking about it.”
-Shiloh D. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Cybersecurity
Dates & Tuition
| 2026 Dates |
|---|
| Session 2: July 5 – July 17, 2026 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $6,798 |
| Commuter Tuition: $3,498 |
Apply by November 30 to lock in the lowest prices of the year. Tuition increases on December 1.
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: Cambridge |
| State: Massachusetts |
| Campus: MIT |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.