Honolulu, Hawai‘i — CyberHawaii, a local nonprofit organization, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the lead federal agency on cybersecurity and critical infrastructure security and resilience, are collaborating together to host a year-long, monthly series of free cybersecurity webinars throughout 2024.

The webinars are sponsored by a grant from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The first of the monthly webinars is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, from 2 pm to 3 pm.

“Businesses face many challenges, but preparing for cyberthreats may not be a priority until a cyberattack occurs,” said Al Ogata, CEO of CyberHawaii. “We’re equipping Hawaii’s businesses that may not have adequate resources to develop robust defenses by providing valuable, commercial-free information to fortify their IT systems and ensure their operations are more resilient. We’re glad to be partnering with CISA who are at the forefront of new, emerging cyberthreats, and are willing to share their expertise and information on the technological tools available today.”

“CISA is honored to partner with CyberHawaii and share vital information to help businesses of all sizes become more resilient to cyber threats,” said Jennilyn LaBrunda, Cybersecurity Advisor for CISA. “As our reliance on technology and the internet grows, so does the level of vulnerability to threats including cyberattacks, ransomware, and identify theft. We will be sharing practical advice that business owners and IT professionals can implement to improve their cybersecurity posture. Using CISA’s resources, we can help our partners establish and enhance their cybersecurity program.”

CISA representatives will be paired with representatives of businesses and other agencies who will share their experiences to become more cyber ready, including their decision-making processes, the results they achieved, and any lessons learned. The topics planned for the series include:

• • Password and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).  Password management and MFA are fundamental controls in a strong cyber security framework and can be effectively implemented by businesses of all sizes.
  • Security leadership. Leadership in businesses large and small must factor in cybersecurity principles into their business practices if they are to survive in this age of rapidly advancing technology.
  • Mentorships in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity has many complexities, and becoming an expert can take years of effort. Mentoring is an effective way to share this knowledge within the community.
  • Access management and social engineering. Controlling access to critical data assets prevents unauthorized individuals from stealing your information and causing damage to your business. Learn how access management can help to prevent malicious social engineers from taking advantage of you and your employees.

• Encryption. The need to encrypt critical data at rest and in transit should not be optional given the amount of data breaches occurring today. Learn why encrypting your data is feasible and some options for doing it.
• Public-private partnerships. There are certain things the public sector does well and other things the private sector does well. Combining resources from both can result in more effective security controls for businesses of all sizes.
• Mobile device management and remote access. Mobile devices are no longer just for personal use and have become a mainstay in many businesses. The same holds for employees working remotely from their homes or a satellite location.
• Incident management. Being prepared for an emergency is just as important as implementing preventive measures.  Having a proper incident management plan is critical to minimize damage to your business should a cyber threat such as a ransomware strike.
• Cybersecurity evaluation tool. CISA has many tools in its arsenal, including cybersecurity evaluation tools, to better prepare businesses to withstand a cyber attack.
• Log monitoring and cloud security. Making sure your security controls are operating effectively on a continuous basis is critical. Whether you operate your own network or use cloud services, being able to keep track of what is going on is essential for ensuring your security posture does not lag.

In addition to the webinar series, CyberHawaii and CISA will hold a Small Business Cyber Forum. This in-person event to be held during Cyber Awareness month will provide businesses with a chance to interact in person with security professionals and to learn practical tips that can improve the resilience of their business against cyber threats.

Other supporters of this series include the State Office of Homeland Security, the FBI, Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i, the Hawai‘i Defense Alliance and the University of Hawai‘i.

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About CyberHawaii
CyberHawaii is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 that is committed to developing and enhancing Hawai‘i’s cybersecurity capabilities through information sharing and analysis. CyberHawaii, an affiliate of CyberUSA, seeks to prevent and mitigate cyber risks for residents, businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. CyberHawaii is also committed to education and workforce development to build cyber readiness and resilience and to providing information on cyber risk and solutions for policy decision-makers. Website: cyberhawaii.org.

About the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
CISA is the operational lead for federal cybersecurity and the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience. The agency’s mission is to reduce risk to the nation’s cyber and physical infrastructure. Although it is a federal agency, it is designed for collaboration and partnership. Website: https://www.cisa.gov/