Cyber Security Begins Here
The purpose of the UHWO Cyber Security Coordination Center (CSCC) is to provide Information Technology and Security students with an opportunity to work in a cyber operations center and coordinate cyber defense information with local and regional partners. This center provides students with research experience as network defense subject matter experts in order to prepare them for future employment in the federal government, state government, or industry. This center also supports information security needs in the community and region by acting as a resource supporting research in modern cyber conflicts and emerging cyber threats.
Mission
“Prepare all students — including Native Hawaiian, local, and regional students — for employment in the information technology and information security career fields upon graduation.”
Vision
“Expand the BAS-ISA Program as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense Education to include Cybersecurity of Industrial Control Systems and cyber Investigations specialties. Earn the designation as a CAE – cyber Operations, educating students to be engaged global citizens and leaders in national and global cybersecurity.”
The CSCC currently focuses on five key aspects of information technology and security to support and guide student research efforts. Each of these focus areas can be researched in detail from the CSCC tab above:
- The Global Cyber Environment
- Information Security Best Practices
- Vulnerability Research
- Forensic Analysis
- Cybersecurity of Industrial Control Systems
The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated the University of Hawai’i – West O’ahu as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) Through academic year 2021.
News & Announcements
UHWO 2020 quarterly report: staying ahead of cyber threats. “People are spending more of their lives online – whether for work, school, or recreation – as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and experts say it is important for everyone to be aware of possible cybersecurity threats.”
The University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu’s cybersecurity program ranks 30th among 1,290 colleges, according to the testing of students’ cyber aptitude by a leading organization focusing on internet security. Read the full story.
E Kamakani Hou - NSA Hawai'i visits the CSCC
“The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Cyber Security Coordination Center hosted leadership from the National Security Agency Hawaiʻi on Feb. 5 [2020] in a continued strengthening of the partnership between the university and intelligence organization.” Read the full story.