IT Intern, Information Security

Location: West Des Moines, Iowa, United States Department: IT Security

American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company is a leading provider of annuity solutions designed to help clients protect and grow retirement income. Part of Brookfield Wealth Solutions, we partner with more than 40,000 financial professionals and help fund over half a million retirements nationwide. Recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies and named a Top Workplace in Iowa, American Equity fosters a collaborative and purpose-driven culture where employees are empowered to ignite their passion and help shape the future of financial services.

Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, with satellite offices in New York, NY, American Equity provides opportunities for employees to support work across the enterprise, including our sister company, American National, headquartered in Houston, Texas.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Information Security Intern directly contributes to meaningful projects within the Information Security function within American Equity. This position is involved in the daily execution of information security operations to learn and experience key tasks within a security organization. The Information Security Intern has the opportunity to deliver an information security related project designed to reinforce the intern’s acquired knowledge on the information security skills learned. The intern provides valuable support to professional staff within organizational functions that align with their field of study and contribute to ongoing projects gaining hands-on experience in a structured, professional environment.

LAUNCHPAD INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The American Equity Launchpad Internship Program is designed to identify, develop, and empower the next generation of talent. Through meaningful project work, mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities, interns gain real-world experience while building the skills and connections needed to launch their careers.

The Launchpad Internship Program is a 10–12 week, in-person experience based in our downtown Des Moines office. Interns gain hands-on experience, collaborate with professionals across the organization, and contribute to work that drives meaningful business outcomes.

Program Highlights

• Contribute to meaningful projects that deliver real business impact.
• Receive dedicated mentorship from leaders and colleagues across the organization.
• Participate in an Intern Hack-a-thon focused on solving real business challenges and presenting innovative solutions to company leaders.
• Develop professional skills through learning sessions, leadership presentations, and networking opportunities.
• Engage in community service projects, Des Moines Intern Connections events, and social activities with fellow interns.
• Receive competitive compensation, including a housing stipend and recognition opportunities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists with the information security analyst processes around detection, investigation, and reporting of events within the corporate controls.
• Engages with information security engineers in designing and implementing projects of various scopes and complexity.
• Interns may participate in a rotation with other disciplines within information security including governance, forensics, architecture, and access control.
• Uses information security frameworks, standards, and best practices as defined by the Information Security Team.
• Makes updates as appropriate to existing systems to support security controls and projects.
• May assist with documentation of procedures used within the department.
• Learns, follows, and may provide input to department standards.
• Participates in all relevant project team meetings, company meetings, and 1:1s with management.
• Works with team on continuing to build information security awareness within the company.
• Interfaces with outside resources for problem solving.
• Interfaces with other IT and business areas to plan project deliveries.
• Provides updates of all completed, on-going and future tasks in order to keep management updated on progress.
• Follows information security project timelines.
• Completes project and support tasks with guidance from mentor and department leader.
• Collaborates with fellow interns across departments on a strategic, cross-functional initiative that drives meaningful business impact.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Reports

General Description of Indirect Reports

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Information Security, Computer Science, Managing Information Systems, or other computing field of study.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• General understanding of security technologies for websites/applications, networks, servers, desktops and databases.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong Mathematical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
• Learn quickly when faced with new challenges and situations; analyze success and failures.
• Collaborative & team-oriented sharing the responsibility of work and accountability for outcomes with team members; uncovering new perspectives through inclusion.
• Demonstrate a high level of accountability setting personal goals and working to align these with business activities; work in an organized matter.
• Results driven with a sense of urgency that motivates others to achieve goals and improve performance.
• Ability to build strong relationships wi