CERT


Working at the CERT Program

Working at the CERT Program provides opportunities to have an impact on internet security. At the CERT Program, you will have the chance to research security vulnerabilities in software products, contribute to long-term changes in networked systems, and develop cutting-edge information and training to help improve security.

The dynamic work environment at the CERT Program comes from our operating principles. At the CERT Program, we

  • advocate an entrepreneurial responsibility to develop new products and services, serve new customers, and increase our impact across the community
  • take informed risks, support each other in taking risks, and then celebrate our successes or learn from our mistakes
  • recognize the value of professional growth and take advantage of opportunities to increase subject matter knowledge and leadership capabilities

We work to ensure that systems management practices and technology, survivability engineering methods, network attack detection tools, and skilled staff are used to resist, recognize, and recover from attacks on networked computer systems. Our work environment is collaborative in nature as staff members work on cross-functional teams within CERT/Software Engineering Institute and Carnegie Mellon departments and across the global community.

Staff members say that one of the most satisfying aspects of working at the CERT Program "is being able to contribute to a global community that can impact the state of internet security."

To learn more about the program's technical areas of work, please see About Us.

What our people have to say

"The difference I've found at CERT is that I finally feel like I'm doing something that's really important for our country and beyond. In CERT you get to work on technical problems that could have disastrous consequences if left unsolved. So when you produce things that are recognized by government and industry as being valuable and making a difference, it's more than the reward of completing a technically challenging task." -D. Cappelli


"As a member of the CERT program, I've had opportunities to travel, speak at a broad range of venues (nationally and internationally), publish technical reports and best practices, teach and mentor new staff and new teams; but more importantly, to personally grow and to interact with some of the brightest and most talented people in the field (some who sit in offices down the hall, others who live on the other side of the world). At the end of the day, I think the most rewarding part of working at CERT is seeing our products embraced by a global community concerned with security issues." -G. Killcrece


"I was intrigued not just by the work that is done here, but by the amount of excitement and interest people have about the work. People were friendly and extremely helpful, they were patient and worked to mentor me on a variety of topics, and the environment was one that promoted learning on a regular basis. Having the opportunity to regularly learn and interact with folks that are very passionate and knowledgeable about technology is very rewarding and has contributed to my growth as a technology professional."
-D. Morda