CyberHawaii is an information sharing and analysis non-profit organization committed to developing and enhancing Hawaii’s cybersecurity capabilities. The organization is working to build a community that manages and mitigates cyber risk through various methods, including the sharing of information in a secure enclave via the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN), a threat sharing platform, as well as encouraging cyber hygiene best practices.
CyberHawaii is also committed to developing and accelerating educational and workforce opportunities for students via pathways from high school to two- and four- year cyber degrees. This includes early college credits to incentivize a running start to college and then the workplace.
As an affiliate of CyberUSA, CyberHawaii was founded in late 2016 with seven founding state members — Maryland, California, Texas, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Colorado. CyberUSA is chaired by former Governor Tom Ridge, the first Secretary of Homeland Security. CyberHawaii will mirror the national mission, which focuses on cyber education, innovation, and threat identification and mitigation.
Chief Executive Officer
Albert (Al) Ogata
With more than 40 years of experience in technology, information systems, risk management, compliance and operations, Ogata was selected as CyberHawaii’s first chief executive officer. Ogata will provide leadership and direction to support the organization’s mission, vision and goals in conjunction with the CyberHawaii’s board of directors. He will develop policies and maximize public and private funding opportunities for the organization, build partnerships with information technology/cyber industry partners, non-profits, businesses, academic institution and more. As CEO, Ogata will ensure that programs, including CompuGirls Hawaii and Cyber Ready Hawaii, operate efficiently and pursue opportunities to expand and develop new programs.
Prior to joining CyberHawaii, Ogata was the chief operating, technology and compliance officer at Hawai‘i Health Information Exchange and held several position at Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA) including assistant vice president of information security and emergency response services, chief information security office and director of information protection and privacy. While at HMSA, he had been responsible for developing the organization’s overall cyber security policies with oversight of information protection, physical security, business continuity and emergency response, HIPAA privacy and more.
Ogata received his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He has been a member of CyberHawaii since 2018, is a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy and member of the FBI Honolulu Citizens Academy Alumni Association.
Board of Directors
Jodi Ito, Chair
University of Hawai’i
Edward Ontai, Vice Chair
DataHouse
Vassilis Syrmos, Vice Chair
University of Hawai’i System
Peter Dooher, Secretary
Servco Hawai‘i
Membership
CyberHawaii is a dues paying organization comprised of the Growth Members, Sustaining Members, Strategic Government Partners, and Affiliate Organizations. Events will include high-level briefings and discussions, committee meetings, membership meetings, hands-on practical workshops and webinars, support for educational programs and cyber exercises.