Community

This isn’t a classroom extension. It’s where theory meets reality—and reality wins.

CNF’s 12-week paid internship drops you into the kind of work most students—and even professors—never get access to. You won’t be observing from the sidelines. You’ll be embedded in real projects, working alongside the people building, breaking, and securing today’s cyber landscape.

Led by Internship Coordinator Liz Vasquez, and supported by senior-level directors and managers, interns are paired with dedicated mentors—often more than one—and immersed in real-life projects. This isn’t surface-level exposure. It’s hands-on, high-impact experience where your ideas are tested, refined, and put to work. You’ll gain a front-row seat to operational environments—including exposure to DevOps—while building skills that go far beyond anything you’ll find in a textbook.

But what sets CNF apart isn’t just what you work on—it’s how you’re brought into the team. From day one, you’ll experience a people-first culture that’s as intentional as it is energizing. Think welcoming orientations that actually feel welcoming, ambassador lunches where conversations matter, team socials that don’t feel forced, and real recognition of your contributions along the way.

And while we take pride in delivering a high-impact internship experience, what matters most is who we create opportunities for. CNF is committed to expanding access within the technology space—actively supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds across both local community colleges and nationally recognized universities. Different perspectives don’t just belong here—they make us better.

If you’re looking for an internship that actually challenges you, builds you, and sets you apart—this is it. Reach out to Liz Vasquez for more information.

Building the future cyber workforce doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by design.

In 2015, CNF Technologies partnered with The University of Texas at San Antonio to launch the CNF Cybersecurity Scholarship and a competitive internship pipeline—created to move students beyond the classroom and into real-world cyber operations. By 2018, that mission expanded in collaboration with the National Security Collaboration Center—advancing research, education, and workforce development at the forefront of cybersecurity. Since then, $200,000 has been awarded in scholarship funding—but the real impact goes far beyond dollars. Students have since gained direct access to operational environments, hands-on experience, and opportunities across multiple CNF locations—exposure that most early-career professionals never see.

Because the reality is clear: The demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals continues to outpace supply. Degrees alone don’t close that gap. Certifications alone don’t build readiness. Experience does.

CNF’s scholarship and internship programs are built to deliver exactly that—immersing students in the day-to-day realities of cybersecurity, building confidence, capability, and mission-ready skillset from day one. For select interns supporting active customer operations, that experience accelerates even further—earning sponsorship toward a federal security clearance and opening a direct path into the defense industry.

This partnership doesn’t just support students—it creates a pipeline. A direct bridge between untapped talent and real opportunity. Today, many of CNF’s top performers are proud UTSA alumni—a reflection of a program that continues to deliver where it matters most.

Ranked #1 in the nation, UTSA’s cybersecurity program supports more than 3,500 graduate and undergraduate students in science and engineering disciplines—fueling San Antonio’s emergence as a true hub for cyber innovation. Together, we’re not just keeping up with the future workforce. We’re building it.

Fred and Roxanne Ramirez—founder and owners of CNF Technologies—have long been committed to giving back. In 2023, that commitment expanded beyond San Antonio and returned to where it all began: Texas A&M University–Kingsville.

The catalyst came following Fred’s induction into the Javelina Engineering Hall of Fame, an honor awarded by the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering to graduates who have made a lasting impact in the field. His recognition reflects not only professional success, but a sustained dedication to community and the advancement of engineering.

From that moment, an idea took shape—one rooted in opportunity.

Each year, a first-generation college student will receive a $10,000 scholarship, creating a direct path for the next generation of innovators. More than financial support, the Ramirez family is investing in mentorship, access, and long-term career potential. Because for them, success isn’t just about building what’s next—it’s about reaching back and bringing someone with you.