NJ 2024 Threat Assessment Underscores State Counterintelligence, Terrorism Threats and Cyber Risks; Recent Cyberattacks Impact Financial Services Sector; Terrorism, Civil Unrest are Travelers' Top Concerns in 2024

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness' 2024 Threat Assessment, released Feb. 26, highlights enduring homegrown violent and racially motivated extremism threats, in additional to elevated cybersecurity risks and the agency's expanding counterintelligence efforts. In the agency’s 16^th edition of this annual report, NJOHSP again forecasts New Jersey’s threat environment for the coming year in an effort to assist New Jersey public- and private-sector partners in identifying, mitigating and countering both physical and cyber threats. According to the report, in 2024, homegrown violent extremists, who draw inspiration from foreign terrorist organizations to plan or execute attacks in the U.S., may be motivated by ongoing geopolitical unrest, such as the Israel-HAMAS conflict. Over the last five years, 37 percent of all HVE attacks, identified plots and verified threats in the United States occurred in New Jersey and the surrounding states, New York and Pennsylvania, further highlighting the sustained threat to this region. NJOHSP analysts also assess that white racially motivated extremists are likely to focus on attacking soft targets due to high casualty potential in 2024. Similar WRME tactics have resulted in the deaths of 51 individuals and the injury of approximately 53 others nationwide since 2019. Those subscribing to this extremist ideology typically write and post hateful rhetoric online to inspire individuals who share their views and intimidate those who oppose them. “As extremists with different ideologies join forces, the threats we face—in New Jersey, across the country and around the world—are constantly evolving,” said NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran. “Our agency will continue to confront these challenges with courage and determination. We know we cannot prevent every attack, but we can lower the risks by detecting and responding to physical and cyber threats, by collaborating and communicating with our various partners and by informing and involving the public to enhance our readiness.” Under State directive, in 2023, NJOHSP formally adopted state-level counterintelligence initiatives and expanded on those strategic efforts, a development reflected in this year’s assessment. The 2024 report calls attention to a diverse range of nation-state actors and individuals, who are working at the behest of foreign governments and are actively targeting industries and individuals throughout New Jersey. Over the past five years, these bad actors have employed physical, cyber and technical strategies to negatively impact the public and private sector in an effort to gain economic and military advantage over the U.S. 

Recent trends reveal an alarming increase in sophisticated cyberattacks targeting the financial sector, as well as their impact on numerous institutions over the last six months. Late last year, mortgage lender giant Mr. Cooper suffered a data breach that exposed nearly 14.7 million customers’ personally identifiable information. More recently, fintech firm EquiLend suffered a cyberattack that temporarily knocked several systems offline. The critical nature of financial services and operations, increased digitalization and the sector’s reliance on critical third-party service providers make financial organizations high-value targets for fraud, phishing, ransomware and extortion campaigns. The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell recommends that users and organizations exercise caution with unsolicited or suspicious communications and only submit account credentials on official websites. Additionally, users should enable multi-factor authentication and employ tools, such as haveibeenpwned.com, to determine if a public data breach exposed personally identifiable information. Visit the NJCCIC’s website for more information.

Terrorism and civil unrest top the list of primary concerns for travelers in 2024, increasing three-fold from spring 2023, according to a recent survey by leading travel services company Global Rescue. The Winter 2024 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey revealed that 36% of the 1,500 current and former Global Rescue members surveyed are most concerned about terrorism and civil unrest due to evolving global threats. One quarter of respondents reported accidents and illnesses as their first concern, a drastic shift from the previous year when 50% reported these issues as their first fear. “We’re seeing an understandable increase in traveler concern worldwide," said Global Rescue CEO Dan Richards. "Nevertheless, international trip takers continue to travel anyway despite the rising threats of civil unrest, war and terrorism.” Rounding out the survey, 7% to 9% of respondents named cancellations, robbery or theft as worrisome while 5% fear testing positive for COVID-19 and the increasing frequency of natural disasters.