Alain Dephonse ’25: Dual Degree Program + Internships Pave Way to Cybersecurity Job
Current Role: Associate Cybersecurity Analyst, New York Power Authority
Dual Degree: B.S. in Computer Science and Information Security (May 2025); M.S. in Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity (December 2025)
Advanced Certificate: Applied Digital Forensics
Internships: New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Intern; New York Power Authority, Cybersecurity Intern
Hometown: Queens, NY
Career Aspiration: Computer Science Professional
What was life like before John Jay?
I grew up in Queens, New York, in a Haitian American household, living with my mom, dad, and sister. My parents are from Haiti, and I grew up visiting the country. I learned a bit of Haitian Creole as a kid, though I’m a little rusty now, but I have immense appreciation and love for my culture. I went to school in Queens for most of my life.
What sparked your passion for computer science?
It was through my father’s love of music that my passion for computers and technology was born. It was interesting to me to see how quickly technology evolved and how, with each evolution, the access to music was better, the devices were smaller, and the quality of the sound was improved. My dad always had the latest gear to play his music: record players, stereo systems, CD burners to make mixed albums, and the newest devices and laptops. I also grew up with friends who were always doing something tech-related. We’d have conversations about emerging technology and share information on the latest products. So, technology has always been a big focus in my life.
My passion for computer science continued to grow in high school. I went to the Thomas Edison Career & Technical Education High School, where I learned about computer programming and computer repair. My knowledge further deepened when I worked on an open-source intelligence project with my friends. We created an operating system that would be customized and used by private investigators to manage online presence more effectively. Working on the project showed me how much personal information is out in the world and how we can use intelligence and cybersecurity tools to protect that information.
Why John Jay?
What drew me to John Jay was its justice-focused curriculum. I liked that every course viewed its specific subject through a justice lens. When I first came to John Jay, my plan was to become a lawyer, but once I learned of the accelerated dual-degree program where you earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science and information security and a master’s degree in digital forensics and cybersecurity, I happily pivoted. The idea of expanding my computer science knowledge, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years, and hitting the ground running professionally was exciting. I’m glad I came to John Jay.
Why did the accelerated dual degree program in digital forensics and cybersecurity appeal to you?
As part of the first cohort of the program, it was enticing to earn two degrees fast. I earned my bachelor’s degree in May 2025, and my master’s degree in December 2025—and there was no break in my education. Being able to immediately begin my graduate studies was helpful because I was able to draw on those undergraduate lessons, keeping them fresh in my mind. The five-year program lets you hold onto that knowledge and begin your career with a solid foundation.
How has the program impacted your career?
The program taught me about network monitoring and analysis, tracing network packets, how data moves through systems, investigating data breaches, and identifying vulnerabilities in a system or network. The program also deepened my knowledge of the fundamentals of cybersecurity and digital forensics. As a student, I was learning how programs work or don’t work with each other, how certain commands interact with systems, how information is stored on a computer, and about the different layers of a network. Understanding the different layers of an operating system is so important because that’s where viruses hide, and if a virus is hiding in your system, it can cause chaos across an entire network. I use all these lessons in my job today. Having that knowledge makes my work rewarding, because I’m able to step in and help quickly when a problem comes up.
How did your internships help you reach your career goals?
During my internship with DCAS, which I got through the CUNY Research Foundation, I was an IT intern. It was an exciting opportunity because it was my first internship. I learned to maintain order and strengthen my organizational skills by handling IT requests from users at multiple building sites across the city. DCAS operates across all five boroughs, so I had to share information with many people, many of whom weren’t tech-savvy. Through the internship, I saw my ability to communicate and relay technical information improve. Being able to help guide a user through troubleshooting their issues and helping them figure out the problem was rewarding. It showed me I was being an effective communicator. The internship with DCAS helped build my confidence and made me more self-assured when talking about technology.
My internship with the New York Power Authority showed me a whole different side of the technology world. When I got the cybersecurity internship, I was already in the five-year program at John Jay, so I was able to apply many of the lessons I was learning in the classroom to the work I was doing at the New York Power Authority. I was able to respond to security alerts, convey the severity of the threat, investigate potential vulnerabilities in data or system security, and provide effective remediation. When I was offered a full-time job at the New York Power Authority following the internship, I was so happy. It showed me not only that I was on the right path, but also that the New York Power Authority—the largest state power organization in the country—saw me as a key member of their team, which meant a lot.
What does your current job entail?
My day usually starts with me looking at the alerts on the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system we use. I can visually see whether the alert on the system is benign or suspicious, and if it is suspicious, I follow up on the case. This means first finding the root of the issue—whether it’s coming from an internal or external source. This could range from identifying patterns, to looking into the device that was used to conduct the malicious or unauthorized activity, to reaching out to an employee’s manager to see if a work or personal device was used to access email. I’m also looking at whether servers were restarted or changed during this period—because a change should be tracked, and if there’s no IT ticket for it, that means something unauthorized is happening. I’ll work on identifying points of vulnerability or threats in the agency’s system, and assign members of the IT team to run scans, patch software, and update security settings.
What advice would you give to students hoping to have a career in cybersecurity?
Build a strong educational foundation, say yes to internships and learning opportunities, and find different ways to practice what you’ve learned. Whether that’s just taking on different projects, joining tech labs, or earning a new certificate, continue to grow and expand your knowledge and skill set.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself in a leadership role, serving as a chief technology officer or chief information officer. I’ll be advancing technology and making decisions that keep the organization or agency I’m working for, and its employees and customers, safe.
Please finish this sentence: Because of John Jay…
I have a great start to my professional career. The accelerated dual program gave me the strongest foundation for a successful career in cybersecurity and digital forensics.
