Tyler Sullivan
My Cybersecurity Training
Freckles Foundation
Quick Facts
Freckles Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through educational support, community outreach, and programs that promote long-term opportunity.
The organization develops initiatives that strengthen access to essential resources while empowering young people to reach their full potential.
Its mission is to create lasting positive change by investing in education, community development, and family support.
By combining compassionate service with strategic partnerships, Freckles Foundation works to build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities
Freckles Foundation
About the Organization
Freckles Foundation is committed to expanding educational opportunities and improving quality of life for underserved children and families through community-focused programs and supportive services.
Through educational assistance, outreach initiatives, resource distribution, and partnerships with community organizations, the foundation helps individuals overcome barriers to success while promoting personal and academic growth.
By fostering collaboration, access to resources, and long-term community investment, the organization empowers families to achieve greater stability and create brighter futures for the next generation.
Freckles Foundation
Community Involvement
Freckles Foundation works closely with educators, volunteers, community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and local partners to deliver educational programs and support services that address community needs. The organization encourages volunteer engagement and collaborative partnerships that expand its impact.
The foundation also partners with schools, businesses, charitable organizations, and community groups to provide educational opportunities, outreach initiatives, and family resources. These collaborations strengthen community development and improve access to essential services.
Through ongoing partnerships and volunteer involvement, Freckles Foundation continues to create meaningful opportunities that improve educational outcomes and strengthen the communities it serves.
Freckles Foundation
Sources of Funding
Freckles Foundation is funded through individual donations, charitable contributions, corporate partnerships, grants, and community fundraising efforts that support its educational and outreach initiatives.
The organization also receives support from philanthropic partners, businesses, and community donors who contribute financial resources and volunteer service to advance its mission.
Funding is used to expand educational programs, provide community resources, support outreach initiatives, and ensure children and families have access to opportunities that promote long-term success.
My Security Presentation
During the Cybersecurity & Defense Internship, I worked with Beth Cerrone and Jamie Kreider to learn the basics of cybersecurity and explore its practical applications.
Throughout the week, I worked with a nonprofit to develop cybersecurity solutions to protect against various cyber threats. I worked with my team to analyze the threats to the organization and then developed a comprehensive solution.
At the conclusion of this internship, our team pitched the final proposal to the Leadership Initiatives Grant Committee, earning a microgrant to support the implementation of our proposal.
My Security Proposal Presentation
Throughout the program, we evaluated the Freckles Foundation’s internal cybersecurity infrastructure. Our analysis identified vulnerabilities involving public Wi-Fi use, weak password practices, insufficient backups, and the absence of an established incident-response plan.
The most pressing internal issue is the need for stronger network protection, data recovery, and security testing. Without reliable backups and proactive vulnerability testing, a cyberattack or hardware failure could compromise important organizational information and disrupt the Foundation’s operations.
To address these vulnerabilities, we proposed hiring VikingCloud for penetration testing, implementing Norton VPN and password management, and purchasing an encrypted 5 TB external hard drive for weekly backups. We also recommend regular software updates and an incident-response process for identifying breaches and securing affected accounts. Together, these measures will strengthen business continuity and provide the Freckles Foundation with a more resilient cybersecurity infrastructure.
Internship Highlights
I was given the unique opportunity to take exclusive tours of multiple government and security sites to speak directly with security professionals. During these tours, I was able to witness firsthand how cybersecurity operates at the national and international level.
I was able to visit the United States’ Security Innovation Lab. Throughout this visit, I was able to learn firsthand from government officials regarding how the government funds and establishes cyber-intelligence and cyber-counterintelligence technology.
We also toured the Homeland Security Investigations' (HSI) Technical Operations Center. During this visit, we learned how the government uses technology to track major crimes including wire-fraud, human trafficking, child exploitation, and more.
In order to apply the skills I learned throughout the internship, I worked directly with an organization based in the Washington, D.C. area, Knope, to discuss their company's cybersecurity needs.
After three meetings where I walked through the organization model, protected information, and staff training of the nonprofit, I worked with my team to create a staff training protocol and threat analysis for my partner.
At the end of the internship, I advocated on behalf of, and received funding for, my organization partner to implement the cybersecurity training protocols so they can best protect their client information and continue to develop with a reduced fear of cyberattacks and cybersecurity threats.
To learn more about the world of cybersecurity, I was given the unique opportunity to speak directly with cybersecurity experts from multiple organizations and backgrounds.
I worked directly with one of the leading consultants in Cyber Threat Management, and a lead Cyber Consultant from Ernst & Young, Phuong Nguyen, to learn about common threat assessment and cybersecurity counterintelligence. I also heard from the Director of Government Compliance for KPMG, Lisa Mathews, and a former Department of Justice Prosecutor, Brian Levine.
Throughout the internship, I also heard presentations from and spoke with representatives from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and the National Security Agency. To learn the physical side of cybersecurity, we also had the unique opportunity to meet with globally recognized penetration testers and network threat assessors.
In order to put the skills we learned to the test, I had the unique opportunity to work with cybersecurity software typically used in graduate-level instructional courses. This provided me with a hands-on environment to develop and apply a wide range of cybersecurity skills.
I began with network cybersecurity, completing labs focused on network security and Linux to gain a deeper understanding of how networks communicate and where vulnerabilities may arise. This experience highlighted the ways in which cybersecurity threats can disrupt or compromise these communications, reinforcing the importance of proactive defense measures.
Building on these Linux skills, I participated in capture-the-flag coding competitions and explored virtual rooms designed to simulate real-world cybersecurity challenges. These activities tested both my technical abilities and problem-solving skills, allowing me to apply classroom concepts in practical, scenario-based settings.