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Hawai'i Declares October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Governor Josh Green Endorses Statewide Cyber Defense Initiatives

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Published on October 06, 2024
Hawai'i Declares October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Governor Josh Green Endorses Statewide Cyber Defense InitiativesSource: Wikipedia/Aloha102, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hawai'i is recognizing October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Governor Josh Green, M.D., has issued a proclamation highlighting the state's role in addressing cyber threats. He emphasized 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.

The proclamation isn't just a ceremonial gesture, it supports tangible initiatives to bolster cyber defenses across the Aloha State. There's momentum behind educational programs, such as CyberStart America, which offers young minds an entryway into the field of cybersecurity. An emphasis is placed on cultivating a skilled workforce to safeguard the archipelago's digital future.

Hawai'i’s Chief Information Officer, Christine Sakuda, points out the everyday reliance on technology. "As technology becomes more important in our daily lives, we depend more and more on safe online communications," Sakuda told the Governor's Office. She advocates for a shared responsibility when it comes to cyber hygiene, which keeps individuals and businesses alike out of harm's way.

Vincent Hoang, Chief Information Security Officer with the state’s Office of Enterprise Technology Services, further highlighted our interconnectivity, "We are more connected than ever as we use devices for everything from accessing state and city services, to shopping at local businesses, to connecting with friends and family," according to an interview with the Governor's Office

Resources are aplenty this month, with the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) releasing a “Cybersecurity Toolkit” for download, designed to facilitate users in adopting robust cybersecurity measures. The state is also intensely collaborating with multiple agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), to advance cyber protection.

For those looking to buff up their cyber knowledge, or even join the ranks of Hawaii's digital defenders, further information is at their fingertips. Comprehensive details about the state government's cybersecurity program can be found at the Office of Enterprise Technology Services' official website.