NJCCIC Encourages Personal Responsibility During Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Oct. 19, 2022 – Press Release

TRENTON, NJ­ – Following a Sept. 27 proclamation issued by Gov. Phil Murphy marking October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell is supporting the national campaign by doubling down on this year’s theme, “See Yourself in Cyber.”

“Cybersecurity remains an important initiative to my Administration and to New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “NJCCIC leads and coordinates the State’s cybersecurity efforts and offers a wealth of critical resources and guidance to help residents and businesses shore up their cyber defenses. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we aim to increase awareness of cyber threats while promoting best practices to be safe and secure online.”

NJCCIC, a division of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, joined nationwide efforts, alongside public- and private-sector partners, to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to help prepare the public with the tools and resources needed for a safe and secure online experience.

“Cybersecurity Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to gain knowledge about best practices and cyber threats in the borderless domain of the internet,” said Director of NJOHSP Laurie R. Doran. “Cyberattacks are indiscriminate and threat actors will target anything from vulnerabilities in technology to the people managing or using those technologies. NJOHSP encourages New Jerseyans to take extra precautions to protect themselves while online.”

This year’s national theme focuses on the “people” aspect of cybersecurity, highlighting several key human behaviors and encouraging individuals and organizations to take ownership of the critical part they each play in protecting cyberspace, such as using strong passwords and a password manager, enabling multifactor authentication, updating software and recognizing and reporting phishing.

“The vast majority of cybersecurity incidents have a human nexus, and cyber threat actors can exploit that to their advantage,” said Acting Deputy Director of NJOHSP and Director of the NJCCIC Michael Geraghty. “The NJCCIC stresses the importance of personal responsibility and being proactive and encourages good cyber hygiene by employing best practices in our daily lives.”

To report a cyber incident, contact 833-4-NJCCIC or visit cyber.nj.gov, where interested parties may also sign up for an NJCCIC membership for cybersecurity-related updates, alerts and bulletins.

For more cybersecurity information and resources, please visit cyber.nj.gov and njohsp.gov.

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