Interdisciplinarity

Cybersecurity in Additive Manufacturing – SOC Analyst Internship at Xentit

What is Xentit?

Xentit is a cybersecurity company that provides digital risk management services to a variety of clients in sectors ranging from healthcare to software. As a SOC (Security Operations Center) Analyst Intern, I worked with a team of engineers and cybersecurity professionals to monitor client systems, assess vulnerabilities, and deliver security insights. This interdisciplinary experience combined elements of computer science, cybersecurity, risk management, and client communication—an ideal setting to explore the real-world application of securing cyberspace, my selected Grand Challenge.

My Role and Learning Objectives

As part of the internship, I worked with security tools such as Nessus, Trend Micro Apex Central, and Splunk to scan systems for vulnerabilities and log potential threats. I learned how to assess risk, analyze alerts, and interpret findings from real-time data streams. I also observed how cybersecurity engineers train clients and translate complex technical material into understandable strategies. This process required a combination of technical acumen, strategic thinking, and interpersonal communication—three key skills from different domains.

I also participated in weekly team and client meetings, which exposed me to the challenges of interdisciplinary collaboration in real-time. Translating detailed technical reports for non-technical clients helped me bridge the gap between cybersecurity and business operations.

GCSP Reflection

This internship helped me understand how securing cyberspace involves more than firewalls and code. It requires communication across technical, managerial, and human systems. Watching professionals navigate this intersection showed me how cybersecurity is deeply tied to disciplines like engineering (infrastructure design), data science (threat detection), and human factors (user behavior and training).

Working across disciplines also helped me grow personally. I entered the internship focused on mastering the tools. I left it with a better understanding of how to think holistically, communicate effectively across domains, and adapt engineering knowledge to solve digital security problems. I now see the importance of not just being a specialist, but a translator and bridge-builder between fields.

Core Interdisciplinary Learning Objectives

a. Identify the different disciplines that contribute to the solution of a complex problem
Cybersecurity cannot function without input from multiple disciplines. In my role, I worked across computer science, engineering, and risk management. I saw how cybersecurity professionals rely on data structures, risk modeling, threat detection algorithms, and even client education and behavioral psychology to implement effective security systems.

b. Describe and apply strategies for creating common ground between different disciplinary perspectives
During weekly meetings with engineers and business clients, I helped interpret vulnerability scan results and contributed to team discussions about how to present these findings in ways that made sense to non-technical users. These moments pushed me to rethink how I explained technical results—translating specialized knowledge into shared understanding.

c. Describe and apply bridging strategies that facilitate the conscious integration of different disciplines
Through client training sessions and hands-on experience with data analysis tools, I helped integrate product knowledge (Trend Micro), real-time threat detection (Splunk), and risk frameworks to create holistic security responses. I also practiced tailoring responses based on client context—balancing technical rigor with user comprehension.

Program-Wide Objectives

This interdisciplinary experience helped strengthen my realistic vision of cybersecurity challenges. I saw that securing cyberspace isn't just about technology; it's about designing systems and responses that reflect how people behave, how organizations operate, and how data flows. I also learned the value of teamwork and perspectivism in resolving conflicts between technical priorities and human-centered needs.