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Biweekly Homeland Security Insights for a Safer New Jersey |
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Elected Officials Among Those Targeted by Extremist Threats
Domestic extremists and individuals with mental health issues, often motivated by personal grievances, are increasingly engaging in targeted violence and intimidation against elected officials in both public and private settings. While individuals continue to communicate explicit or implied threats against New Jersey elected officials, extremists nationwide have used firearms and improvised incendiary devices to conduct attacks that could incite further violence
An analysis of NJOHSP's suspicious activity reports from January to July 2025 has uncovered multiple incidents where both identified and unknown individuals have threatened local, state, and federal representatives. These threats have been communicated through various channels, including phone calls, letters, emails, and social media. Notably, two individuals attempted to locate and approach different elected officials in private settings. The motivations driving these threats ranged from opposition to legislation and policy issues to perceived corruption.
Read the full intelligence note.
NJCCIC Advocates for NJ's Unique Cybersecurity Strategy Amid Challenging Fiscal Environment
The information below is based on an article published in GovTech.com on July 16, 2025:
The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) was created nearly 25 years ago to enhance cybersecurity coordination among state and local governments. Initially funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, MS-ISAC expanded its services to offer free cybersecurity resources nationwide.
However, the future of MS-ISAC remains uncertain due to recent developments. The potential end of its free services—vital to many government agencies—could result in its operations ceasing as of October 1. In the meantime, states such as New Jersey continue to advance their own cybersecurity efforts, highlighting the importance of sustained federal support.
New Jersey's cybersecurity efforts are managed by the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC), a division within NJOHSP. This structure distinguishes New Jersey from other states, which often integrate cybersecurity functions within their IT departments.
Under the leadership of NJCCIC Director Michael Geraghty, New Jersey has been proactive in providing cybersecurity leadership and resources, successfully blocking over 180 ransomware attempts in the past year. Geraghty advocates for continued federal funding to support robust cybersecurity measures across all government levels.
"That entire ecosystem we'd like to see stay intact and continue to grow," said Geraghty, "so that we can handle the emerging threats that are impacting all of us together."
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NJCCIC: Russian Cyber Actors Pose Persistent Global Threat
 Russian nation-state cyber actors remain among the most persistent, capable, and strategically aligned threats in the global cyber landscape. Their operations routinely target Western governments, critical infrastructure, defense contractors, and political institutions, using a combination of cyber espionage, advanced malware, and living-off-the-land techniques. These campaigns are characterized by prolonged presence, covert operations, and strategic alignment with Russia's geopolitical goals, making them especially challenging to detect and mitigate.
A key takeaway from this analysis is that Russian cyber activity is not merely opportunistic; it is intentional and ongoing, designed to maintain persistent access for future disruption, espionage, or influence efforts. Russia's ability to blend into trusted environments and exploit legitimate platforms significantly raises the threat to national security, essential services, and the private sector.
For more information, view the NJCCIC's latest threat analysis report.
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DHS Releases Nonprofit Security Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released the federal fiscal year 2025 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on July 28, 2025. As New Jersey's State Administrative Agency (SAA), NJOHSP is providing an information summary to our valued partners across New Jersey for awareness on current status. Here is a brief update of where things stand at this time:
- The State of New Jersey expects to receive $24,994,130 through this program.
- NJOHSP, in its role as SAA, will submit the State’s application materials through the federally administered FEMAGo platform by August 11, 2025.
- NJOHSP plans to open the application period in the near future for eligible nonprofit organizations in New Jersey to apply for this competitive grant.
- NJOHSP will message any updated information to our partners as needed.
For updates and additional information, visit NJOHSP's web page.
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Reminder: Apply Now for the New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program
NJOHSP's application period for the State fiscal year 2026 New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NJ NSGP) is currently open and runs through September 15, 2025. Applicants are reminded to ensure that Vulnerability Risk Assessments (VRAs) are updated, particularly if security improvements have been made that eliminate previous vulnerabilities.
All VRAs must now include photographs of the facility for which security upgrades are requested, as well as images of specific areas requiring upgrades, including door locks, window blast film protection, and locations where closed-circuit television installation is requested.
This requirement applies to VRAs completed by local-, county-, and State-level law enforcement or private security firms. Failure to update a facility's VRA and provide the specified photographs may result in disqualification of the grant application.
For more information and to apply, please view NJOHSP's grants web page.
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NJOHSP Interns Get Inside Look at NJ's Multi-Agency Safety Operations
 NJOHSP's 2025 summer interns recently visited the New Jersey Regional Operations and Intelligence Center in Ewing, NJ. They gained insights into real-time situational awareness and multi-agency coordination, observing how the New Jersey State Police, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, NJOHSP, and the NJCCIC collaborate to help ensure the safety of New Jersey.
Last Call to Submit NJOHSP Fall Internship Applications
Thursday, July 31, is the last day to apply for NJOHSP's unpaid, in-person 2025 Fall Internship Program, which runs from September 15, 2025, through December 5, 2025.
Internships are available to undergraduate and graduate students interested in applying to one of four NJOHSP divisions—Intelligence and Operations, Preparedness, Administration (Hamilton), or the NJCCIC (Hamilton, West Trenton, or Newark)—as well as the Communications Bureau (Hamilton Office).
Students may receive college-approved credits for completed internships. The program, also offered during the spring and summer, helps interns develop and apply their educational training to a real-world setting as they explore various NJOHSP career paths. Applicants may select the division of their interest or the Communications Bureau.
Hours of work will be Monday through Friday within the business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for eight consecutive weeks. Fall interns are limited to no more than 21 hours per week.
For more information and to apply, please view NJOHSP's careers web page.
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Upcoming Training Programs
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NJOHSP-Coordinated Training
All NJOHSP-coordinated training courses are posted on the NJOHSP State Training Calendar. The calendar provides a course description, training location, target audience, and point of contact.
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Principal Public Information Assistant
NJOHSP has an opening for a full-time Principal Public Information Assistant position assigned to the Communications Bureau within the Director’s Office. The selected candidate will assist the Communications Bureau Chief in coordinating a wide range of internal and external communications and public outreach activities for NJOHSP. This position, based in Hamilton, will also serve as a project manager, overseeing bureau deliverables and supporting strategic communications, agency events, and executive engagements by leading and coordinating advance team operations as needed. This role requires working in a fast-paced environment and being flexible with operational priorities. Non-traditional work hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required with or without advance notice. Travel may also be necessary to fulfill these duties.
To apply, view NJOHSP's careers web page.
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Administrative Analyst 3
NJOHSP has an opening for a full-time Administrative Analyst 3 position assigned to the Risk Management Bureau within the Preparedness Division. The selected candidate will manage information sharing and partnership programs in building a prepared and resilient New Jersey; administer New Jersey's Threat and Hazard Identification and Stakeholder Preparedness Review Program, building capabilities and enhancing program participation; coordinate NJOHSP's emergency preparedness efforts, including interface with federal, State and local, and private sector emergency managers as required, collaborate with internal and external partners to implement risk mitigation programs and identify solutions to capability gap areas; and support the data processing applications used by NJOHSP's program areas, including the public-private partnership program, as well as the applications used by the fusion center to collect and analyze threat and vulnerability data.
To apply, view NJOHSP's careers web page.
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Contact Information
For more information or to share feedback, please contact the Communications Bureau at communications@njohsp.gov.
The NJ Security Spotlight is a biweekly newsletter of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and is intended to provide constituents with important agency updates, publications, and announcements.
Please visit njohsp.gov/connect/nj-security-spotlight to read previous newsletters.
Report Threat-Related Suspicious Activity
Call 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ or email tips@njohsp.gov.
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