Although you might not consider Hawaii to be a state in which there are many cybersecurity jobs, in reality, Hawaii is full of both civilian and contracted jobs within the defense industry. Many of these are in information technology, information security, and physical security. Companies who contract for the defense industry and often hire cybersecurity workers within Hawaii include Booz Allen, Raytheon, and BAE Systems. The National Security Agency even has a cryptologic center in Hawaii that employs information security professionals.
Entering into the field of information security typically requires a minimum of a certificate (undergraduate or graduate level) or an associate degree. There are many excellent educational opportunities within the state of Hawaii in which to pursue these credentials. Likewise, once you have graduated with a cybersecurity degree or certificate, you will be pleased to discover that the opportunities for employment within that discipline in Hawaii are many.
If you would to learn how to break into the field of cybersecurity in Hawaii, and get an associate degree or certificate, please keep reading.
Cybersecurity in the News in Hawaii
A recent news story notes how Hawaii’s economy has weakened during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely due to the loss of income from tourism. Defense spending in Hawaii has remained steady, however, and could grow, especially with the importance of cybersecurity being stressed. As John Greene, defense industry specialist at Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism noted, military spending is one part of Hawaii’s economy that hasn’t been negatively affected by the pandemic. This is just one more reason that those looking for stable income in Hawaii should seek out a career in cybersecurity.
Hawaii Cybersecurity Jobs for Associate Degree and Certificate Holders
Jobs for cybersecurity professionals who hold associate degrees or certificates abound in Hawaii. They include entry-level opportunities such as:
- Cyber Security Analyst – Scientific Research Corporation, Pearl Harbor-Hickam Joint Base
- Cyber Security Analyst – Falcon IT & Staffing Services, Honolulu
- Cyber Security Engineer – NexThreat, Honolulu
- Information Systems Analyst – County of Maui, Wailuku
- Cybersecurity Analyst – Akima, Kihei
- Cyber Security Analyst – Metasys Technologies, Inc., Honolulu
- Cyber Security Analyst – NANA, Kihei
- Information Security Analyst – American Express, Honolulu
- Cybersecurity Policy Analyst – Booz Allen Hamilton, Honolulu
- Computer Forensics Specialist, Junior – Bluehawk LLC Intelligence Services, Honolulu
Associate Cybersecurity Degrees in Hawaii
Associate degree programs focusing on cybersecurity in Hawaii include:
- Associate in Science in Computing, Security & Networking Technology
- Associate in Science in Information & Computer Science
- Associate in Science in Information Technology
- Associate in Science in Electronic & Computer Engineering Technology
Cybersecurity Associate Degree and Certificate Programs in Hawaii
Make sure that the institution where you choose to study cybersecurity in Hawaii is accredited by a regional accreditation agency that has been recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE)
The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the National Centers of Academic Excellence program to designate the best cybersecurity degree and certificate programs in the country. They are called Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).
Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education in Hawaii
The following Hawaii cybersecurity programs at the associate or certificate level have been noted as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD):
- Honolulu Community College, University of Hawaii –
— Associate in Science in Computing, Security & Networking Technology
—Certificate of Achievement in Information Assurance
—Certificate of Achievement in Networking and Telecommunications
—Advanced Professional Certificate in Computing, Security & Networking Technology
Cybersecurity Center
874 Dillingham Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96817
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2021
Aaron Tanaka, Contact
(808) 845-9109; tanaka@hawaii.edu
- Leeward Community College, University of Hawaii –
—Associate in Science in Information & Computer Science
—Academic Subject Certificate in Information & Computer Science
—Certificate of Achievement in Information & Computer Science
—Certificate of Achievement in Information Security
—Certificate of Competence in Information Security Specialist
—Certificate of Competence in Network Support Specialist
Cybersecurity Center
96-045 Ala Ike
Pearl City, HI 96782
CAE- Cyber Defense Education- Accredited through 2023
Petersen Gross, Contact
(808) 455-0494; grossp@hawaii.edu
Other Associate Degree and Certificate Programs in Cybersecurity in Hawaii
Other associate degree and certificate programs in cybersecurity in Hawaii include:
- Hawaii Pacific University –
—Graduate Certificate in Telecommunications Security
—Graduate Certificate in National Security & Strategic Studies
—Graduate Certificate in Sustainability & Security Studies
Accredited by the WASC Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC)
Graduate Program
1 Aloha Tower Drive
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 544-0200
- Kapi’olani Community College, University of Hawaii –
—Associate in Science in Information Technology
—Advanced Professional Certificate in Information Technology
—Certificate of Achievement in Information Technology
—Certificate of Achievement in Information Security & Assurance
—Certificate of Competence in Information Security & Assurance
Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community & Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
Business, Legal & Technology Education Dept.
Kopiko Bldg., Rm. 201
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816
Flo Abara, Counselor
(808) 734-9107; abara@hawaii.edu
- Maui College, University of Hawaii –
—Associate in Science in Electronic & Computer Engineering Technology
—Certificate of Achievement in Electronic & Computer Engineering Technology
—Certificate of Achievement in Information Security Specialist
—Certificate of Competence in Information Security Specialist
Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community & Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
310 W. Ka’ahumanu Ave.
Kahului, HI 96732-1617
Elizabeth Dubuit, Program Coordinator
(808) 984-3706; edubuit@hawaii.edu
- Windward Community College, University of Hawaii – Certificate of Competence in Information Security Specialist
Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community & Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
Information & Computer Sciences
45-720 Kea’ahala Rd.
Kane’ohe, HI 96744
(808) 235-7400
Hawaii Cybersecurity Associate Degree Program Courses
Classes that you will likely take in a cybersecurity associate degree program in Hawaii include topics such as:
- Introduction to Information Systems
- ICT Support
- Principles of Technology
- Computer Networking I & II
- Intro to Computer Science I & II
- Intro to Database Systems
- System Administration
- Network Operating Systems
- Telecommunication
- Security Essentials
Cybersecurity Certificates in Hawaii
In addition to the certificates listed above, other cybersecurity-related certificates available in Hawaii include:
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA CASP+
- CompTIA PenTest+
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
Cybersecurity Salaries in Hawaii
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor notes that as of May 2019, information security analysts working in Hawaii earned an annual mean wage of $104,910. This is slightly higher than the national average wage of $104,210 for information security professionals in the United States.