A student from Sheridan College was one of ten students from across the country chosen for a highly competitive cyber-security internship this summer.

Aaron Baker begins a summer internship this week at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. DSU is one of the leading schools for studying cybersecurity in the country.

This summer, he will be working in the school's Research Experiences for Undergraduates program and focusing on malware analysis, meaning he'll be learning more about viruses and how they affect systems. He said this will be an opportunity to gain practical work experience.

Baker said he's been programming since he was a kid, and that his interest in cybersecurity comes from seeing a lack of security throughout Wyoming and the country.

"It's just a real interesting area for me. I think that the better the networks and computers can be secure, the harder it's going to be hackers to get in, but the better business the company will be able to do and prove to customers that they actually do have secure software," he said.

Baker said the internship will also provide the opportunity for mentorship that will continue past his time in the program.

"Me and another student are actually teaming up with a mentor, a doctor here in the school, who will help guide us further into the malware analysis field," he said.

Baker said he will also work at camps set up for younger students who are interested in cybersecurity as part of his internship.

Baker recently finished his first year in Sheridan College's cybersecurity program. He plans to graduate next year from Sheridan College with an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion, both in cybersecurity.

Baker said upon graduation, he wants to work in the field and continue his education.