In 2019, Security.org reported that Hawaii is the state with the highest risk of cyberattack, with its residents experiencing the highest likelihood of cyberattack of any citizens of the United States. Hawaii experienced a 136 percent increase in cybercrimes from 2016 to 2017, with 516.7 cyberattack victims per 100,000 residents. Its risk was four times higher than that of Rhode Island, the state ranking lowest on the list. In 2017, $3.4 million was lost to a cyberattack in Hawaii. Government officials blamed the higher risk on many things, including a high proportion of seniors in the population as well as non-English speaking residents who are more likely to fall victim to cyberattacks.
At the time of this report, state spending on cybersecurity was minimal, but the government has recently taken steps to address this issue. The state requested $3 million in the budget to be allocated to new cybersecurity software. It also stepped up its efforts to promote cybersecurity awareness among state businesses and citizens. More needs to be done, however.
If you would like to work in the field of cybersecurity in Hawaii and help your fellow residents and businesses protect themselves from cyberattacks, acquiring a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity is the best way to get started. Keep reading to discover how you can begin an education in cybersecurity in Hawaii and work proactively to help your fellow citizens protect themselves.
Hawaii’s Cybersecurity Laws
The Office of Enterprise Technology Services’ Cyber Security Program is headed by the State Chief Information Security Officer, Vincent Hoang. His professional credentials include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Global Information Assurance Certification Systems and Network Auditor (GIAC and GSNA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Systems Auditor (CISA), Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) and Associate (CCDA), and Cisco Certified Network Professional and Associate (CCNP and CCNA). Mr. Hoang’s main job is to guard the cybersecurity of Hawaii state government, particularly information resources that are critical to the state’s Executive Branch.
Hawaii has enacted strict legislation to protect its citizens from online fraud or theft. Its Computer Crime Laws (Code Section 708-890) make it a felony to knowingly defraud, access someone’s computer without authorization, and cause property damage. Cybersecurity professionals in Hawaii work to safeguard citizens’ private information and data and to minimize risk of breach.
Undergraduate Cybersecurity Education in Hawaii
There are many good cybersecurity jobs in Hawaii that can be yours with a bachelor’s degree. They include:
- Information Security IT Specialist – US Department of Defense, Honolulu
- Information Systems Analyst – County of Maui
- Cybersecurity Lead- Strategic Operational Solutions, Honolulu
- Cybersecurity Analyst – Sandoval Technology Solutions, Honolulu
- IT Specialist (Information Security) US Department of Defense, Kaneohe
- Cyber Security Analyst – Scientific Research Corporation, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
- Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst – ECS, Ninole
Undergraduate Cybersecurity Degrees in Hawaii
Titles undergraduate cybersecurity degree programs in Hawaii include:
- Bachelor of Applied Science- Concentration in Information Security & Assurance
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Concentration in Security Science
- Bachelor of Arts in Information & Computer Sciences – Concentration in Security Science
- Bachelor of Science in Applied Business and Information Technology
Hawaii Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Programs
Bachelor level cybersecurity degree programs are not typically accredited at the program level. The institutions housing them are accredited by regional accreditation agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Some bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity programs in Hawaii are programmatically accredited, however, and are noted below.
Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE)
The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have created the National Centers of Academic Excellence program to recognize outstanding cybersecurity degree programs in the United States. Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) can be found nationwide.
Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education in Hawaii
These Hawaii baccalaureate cybersecurity programs are called Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD):
- University of Hawai’i- West Oahu – Bachelor of Applied Science – Concentration in Information Security & Assurance
91-1001 Farrington Hwy.
Kapolei, HI 96707
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2021
Dr. Matthew Chapman, Assoc. Professor
(808) 689-2333; mchapman@hawaii.edu
- University of Hawai’i at Manoa –
—Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Concentration in Security Science
—Bachelor of Arts in Information and Computer Sciences- Concentration in Security Science
College of Arts & Sciences, Information and Computer Sciences Dept.
POST Bldg., Rm. 317
1680 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2024
Yingfei Dong, contact
(808) 956-3448; yingfei@hawaii.edu
- University of Hawai’I – Maui College – Bachelor of Science in Applied Business and Information Technology
310 W. Ka’ahumanu Ave.
Kahului, HI 96372-1617
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2024
(808) 984-3500
Hawaii Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Program Curriculum
Although names of degrees vary from one college to the next, you will encounter the same types of classes no matter where in Hawaii you study. Examples of some classes you should expect to take in a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity program in Hawaii include:
- Introduction to Computer Science I & II
- Statistics
- Security Essentials
- Introduction to Networking
- Introduction to Databases
- Statistical Analysis
- Fundamentals of Secure Software Programming
- Introduction to Digital Forensics
- Management of Information Security
- Modern Cyber Conflicts
- Cyber Investigations
- Cyber Detection and Response
Cybersecurity Certifications in Hawaii
After you have a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, consider pursuing at least one professional certification. These will help to make you even more marketable in the workplace. The most popular certifications seen in Hawaii include: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH)
- Offensive Security Certified Professional Certification (OSCP)
- Cyber Investigator Certification Program (CICP)
Long-Term Cybersecurity Employment Projections for Hawaii
According to the State of Hawaii Workforce Infonet, jobs within the cybersecurity discipline are expected to proliferate over the next half-decade. From 2016 to 2026, an increase of 18.6 percent is projected for jobs for information security analysts statewide. As of 2018, the statistics note, the average annual pay for cybersecurity professionals in Hawaii was $86,720. Not bad for a job that can be obtained with just a bachelor’s degree! In fact, Information Security Analysts are projected to be among the best job opportunities for bachelor’s degree holders in 2026.