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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2025
CONTACT
Christopher Thoresen, Bureau Chief
Communications Bureau
communications@njohsp.gov
NJOHSP’s 2025 Threat Assessment Reveals Emerging Threats in Domestic Extremism and Cybersecurity
HAMILTON, NJ – The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) released its 2025 Threat Assessment on February 19 to provide an overview of the threat landscape in New Jersey for the upcoming year, highlighting emerging trends in domestic extremism and cybersecurity.
The annual assessment, in its 17th year, serves as a critical resource for public- and private-sector partners, aiding them in identifying and mitigating both physical and cyber risks as potential threats continue to evolve.
“In an era where threats are constantly shifting both locally and globally, we must remain vigilant and adaptable,” stated NJOHSP Director Laurie R. Doran. “At NJOHSP, our proactive and dynamic strategy focuses on identifying and mitigating threats before they arise. While we cannot prevent every threat, we remain committed in our efforts to reduce risks and improve security at all levels. The key to our success is through collaboration with our partners and the community; by educating and encouraging the reporting of suspicious activity, we enhance our collective resilience.”
2025 Threat Assessment Key Findings
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Extremist Threats: Homegrown violent extremists (HVEs) and white racially motivated extremists (WRMEs) continue to rank as a high threat to New Jersey. Despite increasing global attention on foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) such as HAMAS and Hizballah, ISIS remains the primary influence on HVEs in the U.S. HVEs are individuals inspired—as opposed to directed—by FTOs and radicalized in the countries in which they are born, raised, or reside. FTOs—such as al-Qa’ida and its affiliates, ISIS, HAMAS, and Hizballah—are considered low threats to New Jersey due to their inability to successfully direct or conduct an attack on U.S. soil. WRMEs have focused on making threats and planning attacks against perceived enemies. Extremists are expected to increasingly use emerging technology such as generative artificial intelligence to enhance recruitment and radicalization efforts through mass-produced propaganda, deepfakes, and real-time interactions.
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Cyber Threats: The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell anticipates a rise in the volume and impact of cyberattacks against New Jersey public and private institutions, critical infrastructure assets, and residents. These attacks will be operationally debilitating and costly and will adversely impact public health, the welfare and safety of New Jersey residents, the economy and public interests of the State, and national security.
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Organized Crime and Transnational Threats: The New Jersey Regional Operations and Intelligence Center has identified threats from transnational criminal organizations such as Tren de Aragua and South American Theft Groups, which are attracted to New Jersey for criminal activities due to its location near major urban centers. NJOHSP’s counterintelligence efforts have revealed that foreign actors are engaging in transnational repression, unlawfully targeting political opponents, dissidents, journalists, and others in the U.S. to silence and control them.
In conjunction with the assessment’s release, NJOHSP continues to emphasize the importance of the “See Something, Say Something” campaign. Anyone who observes threat-related suspicious activity with a nexus to terrorism, targeted violence, or other related activity should immediately report it to local law enforcement or to NJOHSP’s Counter-Threat Watch Unit by calling 866-4-SAFE-NJ or emailing tips@njohsp.gov.
For more information and to view the full 2025 Threat Assessment, visit https://www.njohsp.gov/threat-landscape/threat-assessment.
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Communications Bureau
New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness
communications@njohsp.gov
609-584-4392
“See Something, Say Something”
Report Suspicious Activity in New Jersey to:
1-866-4-SAFE-NJ | tips@njohsp.gov | njohsp.gov
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