Overview
The concentration in Information Security and Assurance is the first of its kind at a public institution in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. UH West Oʻahu, in cooperation with University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges, state and federal law enforcement agencies, state security officials, and local businesses, developed an expansive security education program covering a wide variety of technical and managerial aspects within the field.
UH West Oʻahu offers a four-year program and several pathway programs in partnership with Honolulu Community College’s associate’s degree program in Computing, Security, and Networking Technology (CSNT); Leeward Community College’s associate’s degree program in Information and Computer Science (ICS); and Windward Community Collegeʻs associateʻs degree program in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to provide graduates with a high-level management education and cutting-edge technical courses to succeed in cyber career fields. Students generally complete all coursework at the UH West Oʻahu campus or sequentially complete the associate’s degree at the community college level, earning automatic acceptance into the bachelor’s degree program.
Careers and Earning Potential
Job opportunities in Information Security and Assurance are abundant and highly lucrative. Graduates are typically qualified to pursue positions that include information security analyst, security investigator, penetration tester, forensic analyst, network security engineer, cyber operations professional, or information technology program manager. Graduates may work in cybersecurity positions responsible for protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure from cyber intrusion or similar positions with industry, healthcare, or community service organizations.
The federal government is expected to greatly increase its hiring of information security analysts to protect the nation’s critical information technology (IT) systems. In addition, as the healthcare industry expands its use of electronic medical records, ensuring patients’ privacy and protecting personal data are becoming more important. More information security analysts are likely to be needed to create the safeguards that will satisfy patients’ concerns.
For more information on careers and earning potential, visit the Hawaiʻi Career Explorer website.
Certification
National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE)
The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated the University of Hawai’i–West Oʻahu as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) through academic year 2021. UH West Oʻahu is the only four-year university in the State of Hawaiʻi with this certification.
