UC Cybersecurity Student Thrives as Royal Caribbean Co-op

In the summer of 2025, Matthew Price, a senior cybersecurity student at the University of Cincinnati and president of the student organization Cyber@UC, embarked on an ambitious ten-week co-op as a cyber threat intelligence analyst with Royal Caribbean in Miami, Florida. Working alongside a special team of interns from across the United States, Price applied his technical expertise and leadership skills to protect a global cruise line from cyber threats. His journey highlights the University of Cincinnati’s renowned co-op program, the revitalization of Cyber@UC, and the growing importance of cybersecurity in the travel industry.

As president of Cyber@UC, Price has transformed the organization from a post-COVID low of four members to a thriving community of 50-60 active members hosting three to four weekly meetings each month. Under his leadership, Cyber@UC organizes the annual Bearcat Capture the Flag (CTF), resume review sessions before career fairs, and industry speaker events. The group also collaborates with IEEE on UC’s Hackathon, running a mini-CTF challenge, and supports the Women in Cybersecurity club. “We’re a platform for students to learn whatever they want, as long as it’s legal,” Price said with a laugh. “I’m proud of how far we’ve come.”

These leadership experiences directly shaped Price’s success at Royal Caribbean. “Running Cyber@UC taught me how to lead projects and communicate effectively,” he said. “Those skills were crucial when managing the POC and working with other teams.” His goal to become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) drives his leadership style, which he’s refining through Cyber@UC and professional experiences like the co-op.

Price was the only University of Cincinnati student among Royal Caribbean’s cybersecurity co-op/interns, with the others hailing from Florida schools like the University of Miami, Florida International University (FIU), Florida State University (FSU), and the University of Florida, as well as others from Virginia and New York. Approximately 60-75% of the broader intern class of about 40,000 applicants were from Florida, reflecting the company’s local draw. Price and one other intern were the only ones with cybersecurity-specific degrees, while the others studied general computer science, offering fresh perspectives. “We bounced ideas off each other,” Price said. “Their different backgrounds helped me see problems in new ways.”

Price’s manager, Javier Fernandez, sr. manager counter threat unit, cyber intelligence for Royal Caribbean Group, worked one-on-one with him and praised his contributions: “I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to work alongside Matthew this summer. His technical skills and ability to collaborate with other internal teams in the company really allowed him to excel. Additionally, he is always looking for ways to educate others in the field of cybersecurity and this is very commendable. I was very lucky to have worked with Matthew this summer.” 

This mentorship, combined with cross-functional work with the threat vulnerability team to patch weaknesses, gave Price insight into real-world threat intelligence operations. “That cross-functionality showed me how threat intelligence works in the real world,” said Price.

Team-building activities strengthened the interns’ bonds, including three ship tours: one behind-the-scenes look at maritime IT systems, two public-facing tours for the co-op/intern class, and a three-day co-op/intern cruise to the Bahamas. The cruise, 95% downtime, allowed Price to experience Royal Caribbean’s product as a customer while bonding with peers. “It was a blast,” he said. The internship culminated in a graduation ceremony at the Port of Miami, where interns presented their work to managers.

UC’s cybersecurity program equipped Price with essential skills for his role. Foundational coursework in network security, digital forensics, and ethical hacking provided technical grounding, while a self-directed project in UC’s IT Accelerated Program allowed him to explore threat intelligence before the co-op. “That project helped me see what I did right and wrong, so I could suggest new approaches at Royal Caribbean,” Price said. He used tools like Splunk and a threat intelligence platform to aggregate indicators of compromise, such as IP addresses, domains, and malware hashes, enhancing his ability to analyze data.

Beyond technical skills, Price credits UC and Cyber@UC for honing his soft skills, like communication and collaboration, which were critical for navigating corporate dynamics. “Knowing how to ask for something without upsetting a team is huge,” he noted. His involvement in Cyber@UC’s cybersecurity-focused events, like CTFs, mirrored the analytical skills needed for his co-op tasks.

Price’s co-op solidified his commitment to cybersecurity, a field he’s pursued since high school at Lakota East in Cincinnati, which introduced him to the discipline. This was his second threat intelligence internship, and he’s now “set in stone” on the specialty. “I love it,” he said. “This experience showed me how much impact threat intelligence can have.” His proudest moment—leading the POC and presenting to the CISO—reinforced his career aspirations. Looking ahead, Price aims to leverage his Cyber@UC leadership and co-op experience to become a CISO, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and adaptability. “Be okay not knowing everything,” he advises aspiring cybersecurity students. “Ask questions and stay curious—that’s how you grow.”

Price’s move to Miami was a leap of faith, but one he highly recommends. “I sat in my car for ten minutes before leaving Cincinnati, thinking, ‘Here we go,’” he recalled. “Now I don’t want to leave Miami.” He encourages students to pursue co-ops outside their comfort zones, budget permitting, to gain new perspectives and build resilience. “You learn so much about yourself when you’re on your own,” he said.

Price’s leadership at Cyber@UC and his success at Royal Caribbean highlight the power of UC’s co-op program and student organizations. As he returns to UC for his senior year, he’s focused on expanding Cyber@UC’s impact, mentoring underclassmen, and growing events like the Bearcat CTF.  With his technical expertise, leadership skills, and passion for educating others in cybersecurity, Matthew Price is poised to make a lasting impact in the field.

Featured image at top: Price’s view from the ship as they dock at Coco Cay during the three-day intern cruise to the Bahamas. Photo/Matthew Price.