At Pee Dee Electric, we’re proud to welcome Nikolas Daughtrey, a rising cybersecurity talent from UNC Pembroke, as our 2025 summer IT intern. Nikolas will work closely with our Information Technology team. His focus will be on enhancing our cybersecurity posture, an increasingly critical area for electric cooperatives across the nation.

Nikolas will assist the IT team in identifying potential vulnerabilities, supporting system monitoring, and helping implement best practices to keep our systems safe. His role reflects our cooperative’s commitment to protecting our members and staying ahead of emerging threats in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

“I’m excited to be part of the team at Pee Dee Electric this summer,” said Nikolas Daughtrey. “Cybersecurity is such an important part of keeping our communities safe and connected, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from professionals in the field.”

Electric cooperatives face a unique set of cybersecurity challenges. As providers of essential services, co-ops operate critical infrastructure that must remain secure and reliable 24/7. In recent years, cyber threats targeting the energy sector have become more sophisticated and frequent.

“For cooperatives like Pee Dee Electric, the stakes are high,” said Janet Carson, Vice President of Information Technology. “A cyberattack could lead to service disruptions, equipment damage, or breaches of sensitive member data. That’s why investing in strong cybersecurity measures is essential to protecting our members and the communities we serve.”

By the end of his internship, Nikolas will have made meaningful contributions to Pee Dee Electric’s cybersecurity efforts and gained real-world experience in defending critical infrastructure. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to seeing the impact he’ll make, not only this summer, but in the years to come as a future cybersecurity leader.