NJOHSP Meeting Highlights Agency’s Goals, Staff Accomplishments; NJCCIC Warns of Gift Card Scams; FBI Director Testifies US Terror Threat at Unprecedented Levels

During a Dec. 7 all hands meeting, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness’ senior staff provided employees with operational updates and discussed future goals as the lead for the State’s counterterrorism, cybersecurity and preparedness efforts. “I am very proud and grateful to work with such a talented staff as well as with all our partners whose tireless efforts help keep our state safe and secure,” said NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran. “We are here to acknowledge our accomplishments of the past year but as I often say, ‘As the threats evolve, we have to evolve.'" Director Doran also encouraged staff to continue to share their ideas with the leadership team as the agency works together to protect the residents and visitors of New Jersey. Following the update, leadership held an annual awards ceremony recognizing employees for milestone years with NJOHSP and with the State as well as presenting nominees with the following: Rookie of the Year award, Best Project award, Outstanding Mentor award, Administration Division award, Preparedness Division award, Partnership award, Cybersecurity Partnership award, Trailblazer award, Intelligence and Operations Division award and the Director’s award.

The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell continues to receive reports of gift card scams. Threat actors often spoof a known or trusted individual—such as a person in leadership, a friend, or a loved one—to legitimize gift card purchase requests. Bad actors also create a sense of urgency with fake stories or emergencies to convince the recipient to act quickly without verifying the request, which may be sent through email, SMS text messages and social media platforms. In one recent incident, an employee at a New Jersey organization received an email request to purchase two $500 Apple gift cards - an email purportedly sent by the CEO. The victim complied and submitted the back of the gift cards. However, when the threat actor asked the victim for further information, the request was identified as a scam. The NJCCIC advises users to refrain from complying with requests to purchase gift cards without first verifying the request via a separate means of communication. The NJCCIC also encourages users to report cyber incidents via the NJCCIC cyber incident report form, the FTC Complaint website and the FBI’s IC3 website. For more recommendations regarding gift card scams, visit the NJCCIC website.

FBI Director Christopher Wray, testifying before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Dec. 5, said the nation's terror threat has reached unprecedented levels since HAMAS attacked Israel in October. “I've never seen a time where all the threats or so many of the threats are all elevated, all at exactly the same time," Wray said, adding, "I see blinking red lights everywhere.” Wray noted that with the steady barrage of calls for attacks by foreign terrorist organizations, the FBI is working “around the clock” to identify and disrupt potential attacks by individuals inspired by the Oct. 7 assault. While there is currently no information indicating HAMAS intends to or has the capability to conduct operations in the U.S., an assault remains a possibility. The number of attacks on U.S. military bases overseas by Iran-backed proxy groups has increased in November, with at least 74 attacks since Oct. 17 waged on U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East. Wray also testified of a “troubling trend” of hate crimes, including antisemitic threats, since the start of the Israel-HAMAS conflict. In October, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said reported threats against Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities in the U.S. rose in the days and weeks following the onslaught.