LOUISVILLE, KY — Christopher Jones, a dedicated cybersecurity student and recipient of the prestigious Scholarship for Service (SFS) award, is spending his summer contributing to Hive AI Innovation Studio as a cybersecurity intern. His work reflects both his academic excellence and his passion for making cybersecurity tools more accessible to professionals and learners alike.

As part of his internship, Christopher authored a white paper titled “Empowering Cybersecurity with Free and Open-Source Tools: A Practitioner’s Guide.” The paper highlights the powerful role of Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) in breaking down barriers to entry in the cybersecurity field—where proprietary tools are often costly or restricted.

“Security should be open, transparent, and within reach for all,” Christopher says. “FOSS makes that possible—not just for researchers and engineers, but for students, nonprofits, and small organizations on the front lines of digital defense.”

The white paper offers a practical guide to over 50 vetted tools across key domains such as penetration testing, network scanning, password management, digital forensics, and intrusion detection. Each tool is presented with real-world use cases and step-by-step setup instructions, making the document an ideal reference for both newcomers and experienced cybersecurity professionals.

Christopher’s work reflects Hive’s mission to foster innovation and accessibility in the digital security space. His white paper will be available for free download through the Hive website and is expected to serve as a valuable educational resource for the wider community.

“Christopher is a standout contributor,” said a member of the HIVE team. “His initiative in creating this paper shows a deep understanding of cybersecurity and a genuine commitment to empowering others.”

The full white paper is available as a downloadable resource by clicking on this link, Empowering Cybersecurity with Free and Open-Source Tools: A Practitioner’s Guide.