Alright, so on May 21, 2025, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) was all about celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC). This marks a whole decade of keeping the Garden State’s digital infrastructure safe and sound.
Back in the day, on May 20, 2015, the NJCCIC was born and it was a big deal because it was the first of its kind at the state level. They were all about sharing and analyzing cybersecurity information to keep New Jersey safe from all those cyberattacks targeting residents, businesses, government agencies, and critical infrastructure. The idea came about after the Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 at MetLife Stadium, where they realized they needed to get their act together when it came to cybersecurity. That experience showed them that they needed to work together across the board to tackle cyber threats.
Fast forward to today, the NJCCIC is like a superstar in the world of state-level cybersecurity. They’re all about providing real-time threat intelligence, helping out with incident responses, and sharing best practices not just in New Jersey but also beyond. It’s like they’ve become the go-to place for all things cybersecurity in the state.
Back in the early days, the NJCCIC was all about being a one-stop shop for sharing threat intelligence, reporting incidents, and analyzing what was going on. They set up shop at the New Jersey Regional Operations & Intelligence Center (NJ ROIC), taking inspiration from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Center. This unique setup allowed them to share info with everyone from government agencies to businesses and residents, which was a pretty cool move according to cybersecurity experts.
These days, the NJCCIC is all about being the hero when it comes to cyber defense, incident response, and keeping an eye on risks for state and local government entities. They’re like the watchdogs of the internet, analyzing billions of security indicators every day and stopping millions of cyberattacks each month. It’s like they’re the knights in shining armor protecting government networks from all the bad stuff out there.
The Director of the NJCCIC, Michael Geraghty, knows what’s up. He’s all about how cybersecurity can’t just be left to one group. It takes a village to keep things safe, and that’s exactly what they’ve been doing in New Jersey for the past decade. They’ve gone from just gathering intel to actively defending the state’s networks, which is no small feat. It’s like they’ve leveled up in the game of cybersecurity.
New Jersey has become a shining example of how to handle cybersecurity, with the National Governors Association giving them a big thumbs up. They’ve been recognized for their effective governance structure and their speedy progress in building up their cyber capabilities. New Jersey is like the cool kid on the block, showing everyone else how it’s done.
In the words of NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran, treating cyber threats like terrorism or disasters has been a game-changer. They’ve broken down bureaucratic barriers and made sure that when cyber incidents happen, they’re on it like white on rice. The NJCCIC has become a key player in the state’s efforts to combat all kinds of threats, showing that they mean business when it comes to cybersecurity.
Looking back at how far they’ve come since the days of Super Bowl XLVIII, it’s pretty amazing to see how the NJCCIC has evolved into a national powerhouse in cybersecurity operations. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of Director Geraghty and his team. They’re like the unsung heroes of the digital world, keeping us all safe from the bad guys out there.
