Reading time: 2 minutes

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa hosted an international cybersecurity symposium, providing students with hands-on exposure to the latest advancements in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI). The two-day event in February, held at Campus Center, featured leading experts, industry professionals and researchers discussing the evolving landscape of cyber threats and defense strategies.

“Cybersecurity is key for Hawaiʻi as we work to diversify our economy through research, innovation and technology. This symposium brought together thought leaders from academia, government and industry to tackle emerging cybersecurity challenges while also building global collaborations that strengthen our research capabilities,” said symposium organizer and UH Mānoa Department of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS) Associate Professor Mehdi Tarrit Mirakorli, who also gave a presentation on Volt Typhoon, a hacking group that has infiltrated critical U.S. infrastructure networks. “By fostering these partnerships, we are positioning Hawaiʻi as a hub for cybersecurity excellence and resilience in the Indo-Pacific region, attracting investment, and creating high-skilled job opportunities.”

UH Mānoa students had the opportunity to engage with leading-edge research and participate in discussions on cybersecurity policy. Presentations from experts highlighted emerging threats and best practices, with an emphasis on securing critical infrastructure, identity access management and the role of AI in cybersecurity innovation.

Derek Garcia, a UH Mānoa ICS PhD student said, “It was a great opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research in the cybersecurity field and help expose graduate and undergraduate students to pursuing research as a career path. The plethora of research presented by UH faculty shows that the demand for cyber research is there, and conferences like this are a great place not only for students to get inspired about potential research projects but also to connect and collaborate with professors to make it happen.”

Interconnected disciplines

UH Mānoa faculty members across a variety of disciplines showcased their contributions to research and industry collaboration. William S. Richardson School of Law Assistant Professor Emile Loza de Siles explored the legal implications of AI and cybersecurity strategies, Curt Dodds from the Institute for Astronomy detailed efforts to secure critical astronomy research cyberinfrastructure, Sean Cleveland from Information Technology Services provided an overview of UH’s research cyberinfrastructure resources, College of Engineering Associate Professor Roger Chen discussed transportation security, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology Associate Professor Christina Karamperidou presented on climate-resilient and cyber-secure data centers, and ICS Assistant Professor Anthony Peruma discussed challenges of securing mobile applications.

“Bringing together a multidisciplinary group of UH experts highlights the complex and interconnected nature of cybersecurity, ensuring that solutions address not just technical challenges, but also legal, policy and industry-specific concerns,” Mirakorli said.

The Chief Information Security Officer panel, moderated by Westly Group, a venture capital in California, brought together top security executives from Hawaiʻi to discuss the real-world challenges of cybersecurity leadership, risk management and AI-driven security solutions. In addition, industry leaders from companies such as Palo Alto Networks, IBM, Flashpoint and Kry10 participated in expert panels and discussions on emerging cyber threats.

Related Posts:

• UH among 15 colleges to launch Google Cybersecurity Clinics
• Kapiʻolani CC recognized for national excellence in…
• UH tech workforce development events draw hundreds

College of EngineeringCollege of Natural Sciencesinformation and computer scienceinformation technologyinformation technology servicesInstitute for AstronomyManoa Enhancing Student SuccessManoa Excellence in Researchnatural scienceSchool of Ocean and Earth Science and TechnologyUH ManoaWilliam S. Richardson School of Law