Kawika Takayama
About Kawika Takayama
Kawika Takayama serves as the Vice President and Managing Director of Pacific Operations at Cayuse Holdings, where he leads a technology-driven team focused on cybersecurity and advanced communications. With over 32 years of technical experience, he has held various leadership roles in major organizations, contributing significantly to the fields of security, AI, and telecommunications.
Work at Cayuse Holdings
Kawika Takayama serves as the Vice President and Managing Director of Pacific Operations at Cayuse Holdings since 2023. In this role, he leads a sales and technology-driven team of government professionals across the IndoPaCom region, managing contracts on a global scale. His focus includes cybersecurity, technology engineering, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), quantum engineering, advanced communications, satellite communications, C4ISR, and electronic warfare and detection.
Previous Experience in Cybersecurity and Technology
Before joining Cayuse Holdings, Takayama held several significant positions in the cybersecurity and technology sectors. He worked at Palo Alto Networks as Director of Federal Strategy & Business Development from 2021 to 2023. Prior to that, he was a Federal Cybersecurity Strategist at Proofpoint from 2017 to 2021. His earlier roles include serving as an Executive Director at Verizon Enterprise Solutions and as a Senior Manager at Symantec, where he focused on technical sales systems engineering and global competitive intelligence.
Education and Expertise
Kawika Takayama has a strong educational background in computer science and mathematics. He studied at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and also attended Cornell University, where he furthered his knowledge in computer science. With 32 years of technical experience and 25 years in management, he specializes in areas such as security, cloud technologies, AI/ML, autonomous systems, and mobile 5G.
Background in Government and Military Operations
Takayama has extensive experience in government and military operations. He served as the Information Assurance Director and NSO Officer at DISA from 2000 to 2006 in the US Pacific Region. His work in this capacity contributed to his understanding of cybersecurity frameworks and compliance within government sectors.
Recognition in Cyber Organizations
Kawika Takayama is recognized as one of only five Native Hawaiian executives among the top 100 Cyber Organizations. This distinction highlights his contributions and leadership within the cybersecurity field, reflecting his commitment to advancing technology and security in various sectors.