Hawai’i Proclaims October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Strengthening Digital Defenses

Photo of author
Written By Richard Perdomo

Hawai’i is recognizing October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, with Governor Josh Green, M.D., issuing a proclamation that emphasizes the state’s commitment to tackling cyber threats. He underscored the importance of cyber education, stating, Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to increase the understanding of cyber threats and empowers the public to be safer and more secure online, according to the Governor’s Office.

This proclamation is more than a symbolic gesture; it supports practical initiatives aimed at strengthening cyber defenses across the islands. There is significant support for educational programs like CyberStart America, which provides young individuals with opportunities to explore careers in cybersecurity. The focus is on developing a skilled workforce to protect Hawai’i’s digital future.

Hawai’i’s Chief Information Officer, Christine Sakuda, highlighted the growing reliance on technology in everyday life. As technology becomes more important in our daily lives, we depend more and more on safe online communications, she told the Governor’s Office. She stressed the need for shared responsibility in maintaining good cyber hygiene to protect individuals and businesses.

Vincent Hoang, the state’s Chief Information Security Officer with the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, also noted our increasing connectivity. We are more connected than ever as we use devices for everything from accessing state and city services to shopping at local businesses and connecting with friends and family, he said in an interview with the Governor’s Office.

This month, numerous resources are available, including a Cybersecurity Toolkit released by the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center MS-ISAC to help users implement strong cybersecurity practices. The state is also working closely with various agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA and the National Cybersecurity Alliance NCA, to enhance cyber protection.

For those interested in expanding their cybersecurity knowledge or joining Hawai’i’s digital defense efforts, more information is readily available. Comprehensive details about the state government’s cybersecurity initiatives can be found on the Office of Enterprise Technology Services’ official website.

Leave a Comment