Category Archives: NCFTA

NCFTA Cybersecurity Workshop

On February 4, 2026, twenty-one RMU students got to travel to the National Cyber Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA) headquarters in Pittsburgh for a cybersecurity workshop. Students got to hear a presentation from FBI Special Agent Aaron Hays, and a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) panel featuring John O’Rourke from PPG and Dr. Jim Mahony from RMU. Dr. Jamie Pinchot accompanied the students for the trip and served as the panel moderator.

Students also had a chance to tour the facility, including the Malware Analysis lab and participate in a cybersecurity capture-the-flag exercise led by Emily Kerry, Intelligence Analyst (RMU ’24). Special thanks to Phill Miller, RMU CIO, for setting up this experience for the students. RMU hopes to make this an annual event.

Cyber Workshop for RMU @ National Cyber Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA)

The CIS Department has organized a workshop for RMU students at the National Cyber Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA) in Pittsburgh.  The workshop will focus on areas of interest to cybersecurity students, but all computing students are welcome to attend.  However, the event will be limited to the first 20 students.  Transportation to/from the event and a light lunch will be provided by the CIS department.

Cyber Workshop for RMU @ National Cyber Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA)

Location: 2000 Technology Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Event Date: Wednesday, February 4th 2025

Event Time:  8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Agenda:
8:15 am Bus from Campus to NCFTA
9:00 am FBI Briefing on Current Events (unclassified) and Career Info
        Aaron Hays, FBI Special Agent 
9:45 am Industry CISO Panel
        John O'Rourke, Chief Information Security Officer, PPG
        Jim Mahony, Chief Information Security Officer, RMU
10:30 am Hands-On Cybersecurity Capture-the-Flag Exercise  
11:30 am NCFTA Facility Tour including Malware Lab
12:00 am Lunch with:
Emily Kerry, Intelligence Analyst at NCFTA; RMU Class of 2024
1:00 pm Bus returns to Campus

Sign-up Below

If you are interested in attending this event, please fill out the application below and submit to indicate your interest. 

Click here: Cyber Workshop Application

You will be notified in January if you have been selected to attend the event (limited to the first 20 students), and asked to confirm your attendance at that time.  (If you have class on Wednesdays, you will need to miss class to attend this event on February 4th.  You will have time to discuss with your professor(s) to ensure that this will be OK before confirming your attendance.)  

Internship for National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA)

The National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA) is a Pittsburgh based globally focused non-profit corporation committed to identifying, mitigating and neutralizing cyber crime threats. The NCFTA operates by conducting real time information sharing by analysis and subject matter experts in the public, private and academic sectors. Through these partnerships, the NCFTA proactively identifies cyber threats in order to help its partners take preventive measures to mitigate and neutralize those threats. For more information see http://www.ncfta.net.

The NCFTA offers talented students an innovative work experience in a growing sector that will help them enhance their professional development and academic goals. Our program offers paid internships for undergraduate and graduate degree students. It is an intensive 12-week program that gives rising college seniors or graduate level students the opportunity to work in areas such as intellectual property fraud, financial fraud, and malware and cyber threats in order to build knowledge and skills in the intelligence analysis field. The student will receive training and be part of the team from day one. They will be assigned to a manager and mentor to enable them to quickly learn and acclimate. During their first few weeks on the team, they will participate in the internship orientation to become familiar with the NCFTA’s various resources, policies and procedures.

Role of the Intern:

Selected candidates will work on various organizational program initiatives. Duties will focus on conducting research and data collection using various tools and applications as well as proactive research in open sources to produce a finished product for dissemination. The intern will engage in collaboration with NCFTA partners and peers and be expected to participate in program meetings.

Internships with our Malware & Cyber Threats Program are more technical in nature and, as such, applicants with a sound technical background are desired. These duties may include writing scripts to automate processes (e.g. Python & shell/bash scripts), reviewing and analyzing malicious code (e.g. C, C++, VB.NET, Assembly, Java), and creating databases (MySQL, MS SQLServer, Postgress). Students with working knowledge of Mac OSX may have an opportunity to work on special projects.

Required Qualifications:
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and be eligible for a U.S. Government security clearance
• Major studies in areas of consideration: International Affairs/Politics/Relations; Intelligence/Security Studies; Computer Science; Information Security; Business Intelligence or related fields. Other majors are considered on a case by case basis.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Excellent writing skills and strong analytical thinking
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required
• Arabic, Turkish, Russian, Chinese and Eastern European language skills desirable but not required
• Extensive experience with computers and networking highly preferred but not required

Candidate Skills:
While applicants come from a range of academic backgrounds, the most competitive applicants also should possess the following:
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Take initiative and be self-motivated
• Work well with others and have strong interpersonal abilities
• Good judgment and decision-making skills

Locations: Internships are available in Pittsburgh, PA

Application Instructions:

How to Apply: Resumes should be directed to: HumanResources@ncfta.net. Please include:
• Your resume
• A cover letter in which you specify your qualifications for the position and address why you want to intern as an analyst
• Unofficial transcript

Internship Opportunity – Spanish fluency National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA)

The National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA) are looking for a candidate who is fluent in the Spanish language. As an intern, you will work with a senior analyst on specific research and data collection using various tools and applications as well as proactive research in open sources. You will also engage in collaboration with NCFTA partners and peers and be expected to participate in program meetings.

Required Qualifications 
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and be eligible for a U.S. Government security clearance
• Major studies in areas of consideration: International Affairs/Politics/Relations; Intelligence/Security Studies; Computer Science; Information Security; Business Intelligence or related fields. Other majors are considered on a case by case basis.
• SPANISH FLUENCY REQUIRED – Excellent Verbal and Writing Communication Skills in the Spanish Language
• Minimum GPA of 3.0

To apply for this internship, please click on the link below.

https://www.myinterfase.com/rmu/Job/Detail/b2wvYUd1dDNiaGRZbjlZcG1TWGt5ZjlaUjZGc2lHYWY3NVB4Y21OQWdQST01

National Cyber Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA) Summer Internship Program

Who we are:

The National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA) is a Pittsburgh based globally focused non-profit corporation committed to identifying, mitigating and neutralizing cyber crime threats. The NCFTA operates by conducting real time information sharing by analysis and subject matter experts in the public, private and academic sectors. Through these partnerships, the NCFTA proactively identifies cyber threats in order to help its partners take preventive measures to mitigate and neutralize those threats. For more information see http://www.ncfta.net.

About the Program:

The NCFTA offers talented students an innovative work experience in a growing sector that will help them enhance their professional development and academic goals. Our program offers paid internships for undergraduate and graduate degree students. It is an intensive 12-week program that gives rising college seniors or graduate level students the opportunity to work in areas such as intellectual property fraud, financial fraud, and malware and cyber threats in order to build knowledge and skills in the intelligence analysis field. The student will receive training and be part of the team from day one. They will be assigned to a manager and mentor to enable them to quickly learn and acclimate. During their first few weeks on the team, they will participate in the internship orientation to become familiar with the NCFTA’s various resources, policies and procedures.

Role of the Intern:

Selected candidates will work on various organizational program initiatives. Duties will focus on conducting research and data collection using various tools and applications as well as proactive research in open sources to produce a finished product for dissemination. The intern will engage in collaboration with NCFTA partners and peers and be expected to participate in program meetings.

Internships with our Malware & Cyber Threats Program are more technical in nature and, as such, applicants with a sound technical background are desired. These duties may include writing scripts to automate processes (e.g. Python & shell/bash scripts), reviewing and analyzing malicious code (e.g. C, C++, VB.NET, Assembly, Java), and creating databases (MySQL, MS SQLServer, Postgress). Students with working knowledge of Mac OSX may have an opportunity to work on special projects.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and be eligible for a U.S. Government security clearance
• Major studies in areas of consideration: International Affairs/Politics/Relations; Intelligence/Security Studies; Computer Science; Information Security; Business Intelligence or related fields. Other majors are considered on a case by case basis.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Excellent writing skills and strong analytical thinking
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required
• Arabic, Turkish, Russian, Chinese and Eastern European language skills desirable but not required
• Extensive experience with computers and networking highly preferred but not required

Candidate Skills:

While applicants come from a range of academic backgrounds, the most competitive applicants also should possess the following:
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Take initiative and be self-motivated
• Work well with others and have strong interpersonal abilities
• Good judgment and decision-making skills

Location/Date of Internship:

Internships are available in Pittsburgh, PA; Summer internship program will start approximately June 1, 2017

Application Instructions:
Resumes should be directed to: HumanResources@ncfta.net.

Please include:
• Your resume
• A cover letter in which you specify your qualifications for the position and address why you want to intern as an analyst
• Unofficial transcript

National Cyber Forensics Training Alliance (NCFTA) seeking IT Support Specialist

The National Cyber Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA) brings public and private industry together to research and identify current and emerging cyber crime threats globally. “Our organization strives to achieve professional and technical excellence, build lasting professional relationships and make a difference in society. We hire employees who are passionate about what they do and we promote a culture of integrity and hard work.” For further information see http://www.ncfta.net.

As an IT Support Specialist, you will be the key contact for on-site and remote users for terminal problems and inquiries. You will be tasked with complying with all of the policies and procedures associated with IT Service Management. Departments will rely on you to help solve problems which are interfering with the timely completion of their work. You will ensure that help is given to these departments as quickly and efficiently as possible. The successful candidate will require an aptitude for working with applications/systems to undertake analysis, diagnosis and resolution of problems which may range from straightforward to more complicated technical issues.

Duties & Responsibilities:
• Provides immediate assistance and problem resolution for service inquiries concerning utilization and information regarding all staff computer system applications, telephony and personal computers and mobile devices.
• Must have Prior experience in a Help Desk or other customer focused technical support environment
• Proficient in operation of Windows OS and standard Windows applications including, but not limited to, MS Office Apps, Web Browsers, and other general productivity applications.
• Proficient in hardware troubleshooting and break/fix.
• Proficient in computer networking and connectivity troubleshooting techniques.
• Knowledge of higher-level Windows-based OS maintenance tasks, including Group Policy and Windows Update tasks.
• Document symptoms, troubleshooting steps, and ultimate resolution for all issues.
• Organize and manage a stock of computers, peripherals and other IT-related devices.
• Configure new equipment and reconfigure returned equipment for re-use.
• Experience training users on software and hardware on site and providing hands on technical assistance
• KACE System Management Experience a plus

Qualifications:
Position Requirements: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and pass a security clearance

• Prior experience in Help Desk or other customer focused technical support environment
• Able to pass a background check
• Strong communication and inter-personal skills
• Detail oriented and follow-up skills are a must
• Need to have the ability to work well in a team environment
• Desire to learn new technology and broaden existing technical base

Application Instructions:
Email resume to HumanResources@ncfta.net

We thank all interested but only those being considered will be contacted