Future Focus: Innovation Threat Identification and Cyber Security

I participated on a panel during the Future Focus conference in Honolulu on Wednesday.

The panel’s topic was called: Innovation, Threat Identification and Cyber Security.

It was made up of:

• Garret Yoshimi (Moderator), Vice President for Information Technology/CIO, University of Hawaii
• David Wells, Cyber War Innovation Center, U.S. Pacific Command
• Tarik Sultan, Managing Partners, Sultan Ventures
• Robert Runser, Technical Director, NSA Hawaii
• Len Higashi, Senior Business Development Manager, Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
• Myself

Innovation, Threat Identification and Cyber Security panel

Here are my takeaways from our panel:

• Sultan Ventures has 24 companies in its portfolio.
• NSA is required to share its IP to those interested in commercializing it.
• The NSA CRADA program (Cooperative Research and Development Agreements) is one of the most valuable technology transfer mechanisms for obtaining long-term value.
• The NSA has a github repo.
• I learned about the concept of a PACE Plan (Primary Alternate Contingency and Emergency).
• There were about 50-60 people in the room.
• Robert Runser and David Wells encouraged the audience to check out WALKOFF.
• Len discussed the state’s 80/80 Iniative by 2030.
• I reinforced to the audience the ever-changing nature and new challenges presented by ransomware signatures.

About Future Focus

Future Focus is the Hawaii Innovation Initiative’s Forum on Astronomy, Space Exploration, and Cybersecurity.

Now in its third year, the conference focuses on emerging technologies, federal resources and opportunities that are available in Hawaii’s innovation ecosystem.