April 8, 2026

Biweekly Homeland Security Insights for a Safer New Jersey.

Agency Announcements

Recent News

NJ Shield Brings Together Community and Law Enforcement for Security Preparedness Training

On April 1, New Jersey Shield, a collaborative effort between NJOHSP and the New Jersey Regional Operations & Intelligence Center, hosted a Hometown Security Initiative (HSI) training event at Stockton University’s Manahawkin campus. The event was conducted in partnership with NJOHSP, the New Jersey State Police, and the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce to support preparedness efforts ahead of the summer tourism season, FIFA World Cup 2026, and the United States Semiquincentennial (America250) celebration. The training brought together a diverse group of participants, including local residents, business owners, chamber of commerce members, NJ Shield members, community stakeholders, law enforcement personnel, and representatives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Attendees received a series of informative presentations designed to enhance awareness, preparedness, and protective capabilities. HSI supports NJ Shield’s mission to promote information sharing and collaboration between State agencies, homeland security representatives, law enforcement officials, and private- and public-sector managers of security, emergency management, and business continuity. HSI programs equip communities with the information, tools, and resources necessary to strengthen preparedness, improve security, and build resilience across New Jersey. NJ Shield membership is open to federal, State, and local government representatives, law enforcement agents, and private- or public-sector managers responsible for counterterrorism, cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, security, emergency management, or business continuity.

Faith Leaders Gather for NJOHSP Interfaith Security Briefing

Faith-based leaders and law enforcement partners gathered on April 1 for NJOHSP’s first Interfaith Advisory Council (IAC) meeting of the year.

The event featured staff briefings that covered the current threat landscape, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, cybersecurity initiatives, and New Jersey’s suspicious activity reporting protocols. Additional presentations addressed active threat training and NJOHSP’s Stop the Bleed® initiative.

NJOHSP established the IAC in 2012 to strengthen dialogue and partnership between New Jersey’s State government and its diverse faith communities. Recognized as a premier model for interfaith outreach nationwide, the Council provides faith-based organizations with a direct channel to State officials for discussing security concerns, emergency preparedness strategies, and community resilience efforts.

NJOHSP Interns Complete Spring Internship with Capstone Presentations

NJOHSP’s 2026 spring interns recently presented their capstone projects to NJOHSP Director Thomas Hauck and senior leadership. Capstone projects serve as a bridge between academic learning and real-world application, allowing interns to gain hands-on experience while delivering meaningful contributions to NJOHSP’s core mission of enhancing security and preparedness across New Jersey. We commend the interns for their exceptional commitment throughout the eight-week program. Their hard work and insights have been invaluable, and we extend our best wishes as they pursue their professional goals. To learn more about the internship program, visit NJOHSP’s careers web page.

Coming Soon: Jersey CTF VI Global Cyber Competition

More than 1,200 competitors from colleges and universities from across the country and around the globe will participate in JerseyCTF VI, a 24-hour marathon capture the flag competition hosted by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and sponsored and facilitated by the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC). The annual event, to be held April 18 and 19 at NJIT in Newark, is an effort to encourage cybersecurity education and skill development among participants.

Look for more information, including the list of winners, in the next issue of the NJ Security Spotlight.

Community Outreach

Happening Soon: Enjoy ‘Chai with a Cop’

Mark your calendars—connection and conversation are on the menu as New Jersey law enforcement prepares to sit down with community members over cups of chai and home-style hospitality. On April 12, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m., NJOHSP and the New Jersey State Police invite you to “Chai with a Cop” at Dashmesh Darbar Gurdwara in Port Reading, NJ—the next installment in a series of culturally-tailored outreach events designed to connect with the state’s South Asian community. Alongside “Nosh with a Cop” for Jewish communities and “Café Con Leche with a Cop” for Hispanic populations, these initiatives create welcoming spaces for diverse and underserved communities to engage with law enforcement, strengthen partnerships, foster open dialogue, and reinforce a shared commitment to community trust and public safety.

Security Updates

NJ Jewish Community Faces Potential Risks from Extremists Inspired by Middle East Events

NJOHSP assesses that while the threat to New Jersey from Hizballah remains low, homegrown violent extremists may draw inspiration from the foreign terrorist organization and could engage in violence, as developments in the Middle East continue to receive national media attention. The Jewish community within New Jersey is susceptible to multifaceted threats stemming from these global events as well as broader U.S. support for Israel.

The recent March 12 attack on Temple Israel near Detroit—where Ayman Ghazali conducted preoperational planning, researched multiple Jewish targets, and rammed his vehicle into the synagogue—demonstrates the type of homegrown threat that could potentially affect similar institutions in New Jersey.

Ghazali rammed his vehicle into the Jewish synagogue and proceeded to drive into the building and down a hallway where security officers fired at him. The vehicle struck a security officer before catching fire inside the building, where smoke exposure led to approximately 30 law enforcement officers receiving treatment. Responding officers found Ghazali deceased at the scene. Federal authorities reported he died by suicide.

Ghazali began preoperational planning on March 9. He purchased firearms and ammunition and visited a shooting range to practice with the new weapons. He also researched “Jewish cultural, educational, and religious centers throughout the Detroit metro area” and searched for Temple Israel’s upcoming events.

Federal authorities said Ghazali consumed pro-Hizballah propaganda prior to the attack. On March 11, he posted photos in an online album titled “Vengeance” that included images of deceased Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as well as deceased Hizballah Secretary General Hasan Nasrallah.

On the day of the incident, Ghazali allegedly informed his sister that he planned “to commit a mass terrorist attack as well as affirming his Hizballah-inspired ideology.”

The Recovery Aftermath of Compromised Accounts

The NJCCIC continues to receive reports of compromised accounts among New Jersey residents, highlighting the critical need to safeguard email, social media, and other accounts. Unauthorized access to these platforms enables threat actors to obtain sensitive data that can facilitate additional cyberattacks. This activity includes social engineering, extortion, and other scams. Access can be used to change recovery email addresses, phone numbers, and other personal details, potentially locking victims out of their accounts. The recovery process following these attacks can be lengthy. Many providers and platforms require a manual request to restore access. Procedures typically entail an identity verification process that involves answering specific questions about the account and specifying the devices or networks most frequently used with it. Account owners may also be asked to submit a government-issued ID or even credit card information to prove their identity. To prevent unauthorized access, users are advised to exercise caution with communications, links, and attachments, and to enable multifactor authentication. For more information, view the NJCCIC’s latest alerts and advisories.

Training and Employment

Upcoming Training Programs

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. 

Employment Opportunities

Apply Now: NJCCIC Summer Internships for Elementary Through High School Students

The application window for NJCCIC’s Elementary, Middle, and High School Summer Internship programs is now open. The deadline for applying is April 15 at 4 p.m. Acceptance emails will be sent on May 15.

For more information, visit the NJCCIC website.