|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2025
CONTACT
Christopher Thoresen, Bureau Chief
Communications Bureau
communications@njohsp.gov
NJOHSP Celebrates a Decade of Cyber Defense Excellence Through the NJCCIC
HAMILTON, NJ – The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) today celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC), marking a decade of achievements in safeguarding the Garden State’s digital infrastructure.
Established on May 20, 2015, the NJCCIC became the nation’s first state-level organization dedicated solely to cybersecurity information sharing and analysis. Its creation was a proactive response to the growing threat of cyberattacks targeting New Jersey’s residents, businesses, government agencies, and critical infrastructure. The concept was born out of lessons learned during Super Bowl XLVIII, hosted at MetLife Stadium in 2014, which highlighted the urgent need for coordinated, statewide cybersecurity capability. That experience underscored the importance of integrating cyber threat intelligence, response coordination, and communication across both public and private sectors.
Over the past decade, the NJCCIC has grown into a nationally recognized model for state-level cybersecurity, providing real-time threat intelligence, incident response support, and best practices to entities across New Jersey and beyond.
A Decade of Growth and Active Defense
In its early years, the NJCCIC primarily served as a one-stop shop for sharing threat intelligence, incident reporting, and analysis. Located at the New Jersey Regional Operations & Intelligence Center (NJ ROIC) and modeled after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Center, the NJCCIC brought together experts from NJOHSP, the New Jersey Office of Information Technology, and the New Jersey State Police under one roof. This unique structure enabled wide and transparent information sharing with not only government agencies but also businesses and residents, an approach lauded by cybersecurity researchers as innovative.
Today, the NJCCIC provides comprehensive active cyber defense, incident response, and continuous risk monitoring services for State and local government entities, including counties, municipalities, K-12 school districts, state and community colleges, and public water systems. The NJCCIC’s cyber defenses ingest, analyze, and action as appropriate more than 24 billion security indicators daily, and block over 10 million cyberattacks targeting government networks and systems monthly.
“We recognized early on that cybersecurity could not be siloed – it required a broad coalition,” said NJCCIC Director Michael Geraghty. “Over the past decade, the NJCCIC’s mission has grown from simply gathering intelligence to actively defending New Jersey’s networks. Today, we are stopping intrusions in real time and coordinating cyber responses statewide, which is a testament to how far New Jersey has come in treating cybersecurity as a core homeland security issue.”
National Recognition
New Jersey’s approach to cybersecurity – integrating it within the State’s homeland security framework – has drawn national attention. The National Governors Association (NGA) has highlighted New Jersey’s cybersecurity structure as a model for other states, noting how NJCCIC’s placement in NJOHSP elevates cyber defense as both a homeland security and a national security function. In 2022, the NGA acknowledged New Jersey’s model for its effective governance structure and its rapid progress in building statewide cyber capabilities, reinforcing that New Jersey is leading by example.
“New Jersey’s whole-of-state cybersecurity strategy proves that a unified approach works,” said NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran. “By treating cyber threats as terrorism or disaster threats, we’ve broken down bureaucratic silos. The NJCCIC’s work is now woven into our counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and preparedness efforts, ensuring that when cyber incidents happen, we respond with the same urgency and coordination as we would to any homeland security threat.”
“As someone who was integrally involved in the creation of the NJCCIC following Super Bowl XLVIII over a decade ago, it is incredibly rewarding to witness its evolution into a nationally recognized model for state-level cybersecurity operations. This milestone is a testament to the enduring vision, leadership, and commitment of Director Geraghty and the entire NJCCIC team,” said NJOHSP Deputy Director Daniel Engelhardt.
Whole-of-State Partnerships
A key factor in the NJCCIC’s success has been robust partnerships across government and industry. The New Jersey National Guard has become an essential ally in the State’s cyber defense strategy. Guard cyber units train with NJCCIC analysts and can be called upon to assist in major cyber incidents, lending expertise to protect critical systems. The NJCCIC also forged strong ties with New Jersey’s energy and water sectors to safeguard critical infrastructure.
Through information sharing initiatives and joint cyber exercises, utility companies and water authorities coordinate with the NJCCIC to strengthen industrial control systems and respond swiftly to any threats, ensuring the power stays on and water supplies stay safe. At the federal level, the NJCCIC works hand-in-hand with the FBI and DHS’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). These partnerships enable real-time intelligence sharing and a unified response to incidents.
Workforce Development
The NJCCIC has also garnered national recognition for its commitment to developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through NJOHSP’s internship program, offering opportunities to college and high school students from diverse academic backgrounds. This initiative not only provides valuable work experience but also contributes to building a skilled cybersecurity workforce for the future. The NJCCIC also sponsors and partners with initiatives such as Girls Go CyberStart, CyberStart America, JerseyCTF, and Garden State CTF, further demonstrating its commitment to hands-on training and talent development.
Looking Ahead
As cyber threats continue to evolve in sophistication and scale, the NJCCIC remains committed to strengthening New Jersey’s cyber defenses through innovative approaches, expanded partnerships, and increased public engagement.
“The landscape of cybersecurity has changed dramatically over the past decade, and so have our capabilities,” added Director Doran. “As we look to the future, NJOHSP and the NJCCIC will continue adapting to emerging threats while helping all New Jersey organizations build greater cyber resilience.”
For more information about the NJCCIC, visit www.cyber.nj.gov.
###
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
|
