Business Student Lands Cybersecurity Internship for Major League Baseball

Liam Smith is a Junior Majoring in Digital Forensics

Liam Smith, junior, worked at MLB's Office of the Commissioner in New York City.

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 15, 2018) – Though he probably won’t learn how to throw a changeup or a slider, Liam Smith, a student in the School of Business, will bring home skills and expertise that will serve him in his career in digital forensics.

Smith, a junior, is interning with Major League Baseball in New York City, specifically in the Office of the Commissioner. He is one of 100 interns working for the Office, which is home to Rob Manfred, The Commissioner of Baseball.

Smith said that having access to cutting-edge technology through this intern position has enabled him to apply and expand the knowledge he’s gained so far at UAlbany.

“The downside of the cybersecurity field is that getting your hands on cutting-edge technology usually costs an arm and a leg, but I’ve been able to do that here,” he said. “I’m lucky to be in an environment where I can really dig deep in the data, ask meaningful questions and take learning seriously.”

Smith is one of six interns focusing on information assurance for the commissioner’s office. He said his primary responsibility is protecting sensitive data such as player contracts and other financial records from cyberattacks.

Extracurricular activities at the University such as his involvement with the Cyber Defense Organization (CDO) also helped prepare him for the MLB internship.

“Working with other people in my major has been incredibly useful in readying myself for the technical aspects of this position,” said Smith, president of CDO.

The CDO prepares students for regional and national cyber defense competitions, as well as offers mentorship from faculty and staff, according to Damira Pon, director of student services for the School’s digital forensics program.

Pon said Smith’s leadership role in the organization was a difference maker in securing such a competitive internship.

“Liam takes initiative, has a hunger for knowledge, is able to think critically and works well under pressure,” said Pon, a PhD candidate in information security and an adjunct business professor. “He embodies all of the qualities we hope our students adopt.”

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