Chart your cybersecurity journey: Find program options in Hawaii

• Associate degrees
• Bachelor’s degrees
• Cybersecurity certifications
• Cybersecurity jobs
• Cybersecurity awareness
• Related resources

This guide is all about cybersecurity in Hawaii. The guide includes an analysis of the various educational and career opportunities available for cybersecurity professionals in the state.

Hawaii’s tourism industry makes up 90 percent of the total GDP, and with the establishment of US military bases, it contributes to an overall $97 billion economy, according to Forbes. 

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However, Hawaii’s weather doesn’t protect it from high business taxes and energy costs. Hawaii hosts some of the highest energy and household costs in the country due to the state’s heavy reliance on imports. 

Cybersecurity initiatives have become a starting focal point for its citizens and government representatives, as the state faces up to 45 million cyberattacks per day, according to GovTech.

Hawaii’s interactions with cybersecurity hacks left many of its citizens unprepared, as a leaked photo of Hawaii’s emergency agency password led to a false alarm for a nuclear strike from North Korea, which led many people to fret about the future of the state’s security.

The estimated median tech wage in Hawaii is $89,295 which is 85 percent higher than the median state wage, according to Cyberstates and Comptia. 

Growing awareness of cybersecurity in Hawaii

Hawaii has begun some of its initiatives to improve its tech sectors and bring awareness to cybersecurity efforts.

In 2017, Governor David Y. Ige joined a multi-state cybersecurity compact alongside 38 other governors to enhance state cybersecurity and develop the cyber workforce. The agreement is part of the National Governors Association’s “Meet the Threat: States Confront the Cyber Challenge” initiative, challenging states to build cybersecurity governance better. 

The Hawaii Technology Development Corporation has begun expanding its tech service training programs to aid the local workforce, earning the Employment & Training Fund to support local companies. It also gives tech employees training courses administered by DevLeague, a technical training program in software engineering and cybersecurity. 

The state’s Office of Planning, alongside the state’s Office of Enterprise Technology Services, mapped out a newly improved geographic information system (GIS) for better data sharing, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility.

To educate its citizens in cybersecurity, Hawaii has partnered with the SANS Institute to offer K-12 and university students the opportunity to participate in free cybersecurity aptitude tests to encourage careers in cybersecurity.

The CyberStart program helps develop an interest in information technology and security careers. The state also established cybersecurity internships and scholarships alongside the National Security Agency to encourage careers in cybersecurity. 

Cybersecurity education in Hawaii

Hawaii’s initiatives in cybersecurity have led to several degrees with specializations across many of the state’s colleges.

Students who find an interest in cybersecurity will be able to find many opportunities to learn and take on a career in cybersecurity through the University of Hawaii West O’ahu’s Cyber Security Coordination Center.

The center works with its subsidiary locations and other colleges to establish cyber defense coordination and connect them with local and regional security partners.

The coordination center has been ranked among the top three percent of colleges to educate students in the field of cybersecurity and information technology. 

Related resources

• How to build a cybersecurity career network
• How to become an ethical hacker: A blueprint
• Learn How to Code for Cybersecurity
• What is cyber defense? An introduction
• Empowering women in cybersecurity: Your career guide

Cybersecurity associate degrees in Hawaii

In Hawaii, students can pursue an Associate of Science degree at Honolulu Community College and Leeward Community College.

This program spans five semesters and includes core classes in basic networking, system administration, computing, and information security, preparing students for IT employment and allowing for degree transfer to a Bachelor of Science at the West O’ahu location.

1. Honolulu Community College

   Honolulu, Hawaii

   
   Program: Associate of Science in CENT – Information Assurance
   Credits: 60
   Cost per credit: $131 in state | $345 out of state
   Delivery Method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

2. Leeward Community College

   Pearl City, Hawaii

   
   Program: Associate in Science, Information and Computer Science - Information Security
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Credits: 60
   Cost per credit: $131 in state | $345 out of state
   Delivery Method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity bachelor’s degree in Hawaii

The University of Hawaii expands its information technology and cybersecurity courses across multiple locations, where students across Hawaii can earn degrees in information technology and computer networking. 

At the University of Hawaii in Manoa, students can earn a bachelor of science in computer science and a bachelor of arts degree in information and computer science. Through both the bachelor of science degree program and the bachelor of arts degree program, students can specialize in their degree programs with the addition of the security science focus.

The University of Hawaii in West O’ahu offers students a Bachelor of Applied Science degree concentration in information security and assurance.

The university developed the program in response to the numerous cyber attacks the state faces, alongside the federal requirement for more cybersecurity training and education through the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Training Careers and Studies.

1. University of Hawaii at Manoa

   Honolulu, Hawaii

   
   Program: Bachelor of Arts in Information and Computer Sciences – Security Science Track
   CAE designation: CAE-R
   Credits: 120
   Cost per credit: $471 in-state | $1,389 out-of-state
   Delivery Method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

2. University of Hawaii at Manoa

   Honolulu, Hawaii

   
   Program: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Security Science Track
   CAE designation: CAE-R
   Credits: 120
   Cost per credit: $471 in-state | $1,389 out-of-state
   Delivery Method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

3. University of Hawaii-West Oahu

   Kapolei, Hawaii

   
   Program: Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Security and Assurance
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Credits: 126
   Cost per credit: $233 in-state | $645 out-of-state
   Delivery Method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity certifications in Hawaii 

At Leeward College, students can earn a certificate of achievement in information security alongside a certificate of competency in basic programming, network support, information support, and computer science. 

More information about the schools is listed below.

1. Honolulu Community College

   Honolulu, Hawaii

   
   Program: Certificate of Achievement in Information Security & Assurance
   Credits: 26-27
   Cost per credit: $131 in state | $345 out of state
   Delivery Method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

2. Leeward Community College

   Pearl City, Hawaii

   
   Program: Certificate of Achievement in Information Security
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Credits: 9
   Cost per credit: $131 in-state | $345 out of state
   Delivery Method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

3. University of Phoenix-Hawaii

   Honolulu, Hawaii

   
   Program: Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate
   Credits: 18
   Cost per credit: $392
   Delivery Method: Online
   Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity jobs in Hawaii

A total of 4,065 job openings in Hawaii, and about 6,625 employees currently work in the cybersecurity industry, according to 2024 Cyberseek data. 

The current average hourly salary for a cybersecurity analyst in Hawaii is $54.72, with the average annual salary at $113,820, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data. 

Cybersecurity in Hawaii

Hawaii’s economy appears to be weighed down by its dependency on imports from the U.S. mainland and other countries.

Still, its focus on software development and cybersecurity has helped students throughout the state’s collection of colleges find a spark of interest in the technology field. 

While business taxes and energy costs remain high, those throughout the state of Hawaii can potentially earn valuable careers in the tech industry as Hawaii continues to expand its key sectors.