Threat Detection and Incident Response Intern (Summer 2026)
Cloudflare · Austin, TX
- On site
- Full-time
- $45,000 / year
- Austin, TX
Job highlights
- Internship focused on threat detection and incident response.
- Improve Cloudflare's defensive security posture.
- Respond to security alerts and incidents.
- Utilize automation and AI for security solutions.
- Gain experience defending large-scale systems.
About the role
About Us
At Cloudflare, we are on a mission to help build a better Internet. Today the company runs one of the world’s largest networks that powers millions of websites and other Internet properties for customers ranging from individual bloggers to SMBs to Fortune 500 companies. Cloudflare protects and accelerates any Internet application online without adding hardware, installing software, or changing a line of code. Internet properties powered by Cloudflare all have web traffic routed through its intelligent global network, which gets smarter with every request. As a result, they see significant improvement in performance and a decrease in spam and other attacks. Cloudflare was named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Company Cultures list and ranked among the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company.
At Cloudflare, we’re not looking for people who wait for a polished roadmap; we’re looking for the builders who see the cracks in the Internet that everyone else has simply learned to live with. We value candidates who have the instinct to spot a "normalized" problem and the AI-native curiosity to create a solution using the latest tools. Our culture is built on iteration, leveraging AI to ship faster today to make it better tomorrow, while ensuring that every improvement, no matter how small, is shared across the team to lift everyone up. If you’re the type of person who values curiosity over bureaucracy, and that AI is a partner in solving tough problems to keep the Internet moving forward, you’ll fit right in.
Available Locations
Austin, TX
About Cloudflare's Security Team
Security is at the heart of Cloudflare’s mission to help build a better Internet. Anytime we push code, it automatically affects the millions of Internet properties (powering websites, remote teams, APIs, mobile apps, etc.) running on our global network. Cloudflare's network is one of the largest in the world, spanning over 330 cities in more than 125 countries, and operating within 50 milliseconds of 95% of the Internet-connected population.
The Threat Detection and Security Incident Response teams are responsible for identifying, understanding, detecting, and responding to threats targeting Cloudflare.
About The Internship Program
The ideal Security intern is passionate about making the Internet a more secure place. You will work alongside experienced security team members to partner with them in planning, executing and overseeing initiatives that help improve Cloudflare’s security posture. We are looking for interns who are curious, proactive, and able to approach problems with a "security-first" mindset. This is a unique opportunity for candidates who want to learn how to defend systems at a scale that few other companies can offer.
What would you do as a Cloudflare intern?
- Execute a specialized security project over 12 weeks that directly improves Cloudflare’s defensive posture.
- With a focus on threats and how they operate, work to build and improve systems that are the front lines of protecting Cloudflare from malicious attacks.
- Work with Incident Response Engineers to triage and respond to security alerts and incidents.
- Use the latest technologies and techniques to engineer solutions to enhance incident response and security operations. Including automation, agentic AI and others
- Work cross-functionally with Legal, People, Engineering, and Finance teams to integrate security into the fabric of the company.
- Work closely with a mentor who will provide hands-on guidance in your specific security domain.
- Present your security project to the entire company at the end of the internship.
- Connect and learn from our executives and leadership team including our co-founders.
- Write for our Cloudflare blog and be featured on Cloudflare.tv sessions.
You can check out our internship blogs to learn more about our program and hear directly from our past interns.
Example Of Desirable Skills, Knowledge And Experience
- Understanding of attacker Tools, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs)
- Understanding of operating systems, SaaS applications, CI/CD, and common security tools.
- Understanding of the Incident Response Lifecycle.
- Proficiency in at least one scripting/programming language for automation.
- Demonstrated critical thinking skills and drive to learn and adapt new technologies.
- Curiosity, empathy and ability to get things done.
- Ability to commit to a minimum 12 week summer internship.
- In office 3-5 days a week in the Austin office.
Bonus: Demonstrated passion for security & software development, such as personal projects, open-source contributions, or experience with our developer platform using Cloudflare for Students.
What Makes Cloudflare Special?
We’re not just a highly ambitious, large-scale technology company. We’re a highly ambitious, large-scale technology company with a soul. Fundamental to our mission to help build a better Internet is protecting the free and open Internet.
- Project Galileo: Since 2014, we've equipped more than 2,400 journalism and civil society organizations in 111 countries with powerful tools to defend themselves against attacks that would otherwise censor their work, technology already used by Cloudflare’s enterprise customers--at no cost.
- Athenian Project: In 2017, we created the Athenian Project to ensure that state and local governments have the highest level of protection and reliability for free, so that their constituents have access to election information and voter registration. Since the project, we've provided services to more than 425 local government election websites in 33 states.
- 1.1.1.1: We released 1.1.1.1 to help fix the foundation of the Internet by building a faster, more secure and privacy-centric public DNS resolver. This is available publicly for everyone to use - it is the first consumer-focused service Cloudflare has ever released. Here’s the deal - we don’t store client IP addresses never, ever. We will continue to abide by our privacy commitment and ensure that no user data is sold to advertisers or used to target consumers.
Sound like something you’d like to be a part of? We’d love to hear from you!
This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations. Please note that any offer of employment may be conditioned on your authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export laws without sponsorship for an export license.
Cloudflare is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and place great value in both diversity and inclusiveness. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to their, or any other person's, perceived or actual race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law. We are an AA/Veterans/Disabled Employer.
Cloudflare provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. Examples of reasonable accommodations include, but are not limited to, changing the application process, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, please contact us via e-mail at hr@cloudflare.com or via mail at 101 Townsend St. San Francisco, CA 94107.
Key skills/competency
- Threat Detection
- Incident Response
- Security Posture Improvement
- Automation
- AI in Security
- Security Operations
- Attacker TTPs
- Scripting/Programming
- Critical Thinking
- Security Tools
Skills & topics
- Threat Detection
- Incident Response
- Security Intern
- Cybersecurity
- Cloudflare
- Summer Internship
- Austin, TX
- Security Operations
- Automation
- AI Security
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight relevant skills like threat detection, incident response, and programming languages.
- Showcase your projects: Include personal security projects, open-source contributions, or relevant coursework.
- Demonstrate curiosity: Emphasize your drive to learn and adapt to new security technologies.
- Apply early: Internships are highly competitive; submit your application well before the deadline.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your understanding of attacker TTPs and security tools.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the duration of the Threat Detection and Incident Response Intern position at Cloudflare?
- The Threat Detection and Incident Response Intern position at Cloudflare is a summer internship program designed to last a minimum of 12 weeks.
- What specific technical skills are most important for the Threat Detection and Incident Response Intern role at Cloudflare?
- Key technical skills for this role include understanding attacker TTPs, operating systems, SaaS applications, CI/CD, common security tools, and proficiency in at least one scripting/programming language for automation. Familiarity with the Incident Response Lifecycle is also crucial.
- Will I be expected to work remotely or in the office for the Threat Detection and Incident Response Intern role at Cloudflare?
- This internship requires you to be in the Austin office 3-5 days a week, indicating a hybrid or on-site work arrangement for the duration of the program.
- What kind of projects will I work on as a Threat Detection and Incident Response Intern at Cloudflare?
- As an intern, you will execute a specialized security project aimed at improving Cloudflare’s defensive posture, build and improve systems protecting against attacks, and potentially assist with triaging and responding to security alerts and incidents.
- What learning opportunities are available for interns at Cloudflare, specifically for the Threat Detection and Incident Response Intern role?
- Interns will work closely with experienced security team members, receive hands-on guidance from a mentor, present their project to the company, and have opportunities to connect with executives and leadership, including co-founders.
- How does Cloudflare foster a learning environment for its security interns?
- Cloudflare emphasizes a culture of curiosity and iteration, encouraging interns to leverage AI and new technologies. You'll work alongside seasoned professionals and learn to defend systems at a massive scale.
- What is the hiring process for the Threat Detection and Incident Response Intern position at Cloudflare?
- While specific details vary, typically the hiring process involves resume review, interviews focusing on technical skills and cultural fit, and potentially a project-based assessment. Early application is recommended due to the competitive nature of internships.