Citizens

Every time you access the internet, you face choices that can affect your security. These choices include which friends to accept, what links to click, what websites to access, and which wireless networks to join. The decisions you make online not only affect your security, but the security of the nation as well. We each need to do our part to keep the Internet safe.

+ Best Practices

Learn all about cybersecurity best practices on email security, passwords and multi-factor authentication, exploring the internet, and device security here.

+ Be Sure to Secure

The NJCCIC Be Sure to Secure page provides website visitors with information on various cybersecurity topics as well as instructional guides designed to teach visitors how to properly secure their devices, data, and networks, ultimately reducing their cyber risk. Please visit the Be Sure to Secure page here or click on the links below to learn more about specific topics.

+ Data Breach Reporting

According to the NJ Identity Theft Prevention Act, all businesses or public entities are required to disclose breaches of security of a customer's personal information and any information pertaining to the breach. Please report data breaches here.

+ Glossary

Key terms and definitions used in the cybersecurity industry and as adopted by the State of New Jersey. Explore the glossary.

+ Identity Theft, Fraud, and Cybercrime

Tax identity theft remains one of the top scams listed on the IRS “Dirty Dozen” list and, although safeguards put in place by the agency in 2016 did reduce the number of fraudulent tax returns processed, large-scale data breaches that exposed hundreds of millions of American’s personal and financial information have drastically increased the risk that identity theft and tax fraud will occur in the future. Learn more about identity theft, fraud, and cybercrime.

+ Incident Reporting

We encourage New Jersey citizens and businesses to voluntarily report cyber incidents to the NJCCIC. Filling out our report form will assist the NJCCIC with the timely handling of cyber incidents. A cyber incident report will not generate a criminal investigation. For that, please contact your local police department for any further assistance. Report a cyber incident.

+ Managing Your Privacy

Data breaches involving the theft, mishandling, or unauthorized access of personal, medical, and financial information continue to increase and impact tens of millions of Americans every year. This demonstrates that despite widespread efforts across the public and private sectors to increase awareness of cybersecurity risk and improve defenses, more needs to be done to raise the bar and make it more difficult and costly for bad actors to succeed. Here are some actions that everyone can take to improve online security and protect data privacy.

+ NJ Computer Crime Statutes

Do you know the law in New Jersey when it comes to computer crime? Review the statutes here.

Statutes include: Terroristic threats; stalking; luring, enticing child by various means, attempts; luring, enticing an adult, certain circumstances; bias intimidation; theft by deception; theft of services; computer criminal activity; wrongful access, disclosure of information; obtaining, copying, accessing program, software valued at $1,000 or less; forgery and related offenses; credit cards; scanning devices, reencoders; impersonation, theft of identity; endangering welfare of children; hindering apprehension or prosecution; and harassment.

+ NJ Statewide Information Security Manual

Download the New Jersey Statewide Information Security Manual here.

The purpose of the New Jersey Statewide Information Security Manual (SISM) is to assist organizations in applying a risk–based approach to information security while establishing the required behaviors and controls necessary to protect information technology resources, secure personal information, safeguard privacy and maintain the physical safety of individuals. This SISM includes a set of policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines that sets a clear direction for information security and its role in supporting organizations in their efforts to carry out their respective missions and to achieve their business goals and objectives, while effectively managing risk and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of their information and information systems.

This SISM provides direction regarding roles and responsibilities with respect to the security of information assets. The implementation of consistent security controls will help organizations comply with current and future legal obligations to ensure due diligence in protecting the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and privacy of information and information systems.

This SISM is intended to provide organizations with a means to tailor cost-effective security controls necessary to protect the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and privacy of information and information systems commensurate with their sensitivity and criticality, while also maintaining and ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

The New Jersey Statewide Information Security Manual has been derived from applicable State and federal laws; industry best practices including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure; NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 4, Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations; NIST Special Publication 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Information Systems and Organizations; the Center for Internet Security (CIS) Top 20 Critical Security Controls; the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM); lessons learned; and other New Jersey State Government business and technology related considerations.

+ Online Training

Also known as computer based training, distance learning, or e-learning, online training is a form of instruction that takes place completely on the internet. To view available online cybersecurity training, please go here.

Reference in this site to any specific commercial product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the NJCCIC.

+ Poster Contest

Students in grades kindergarten through twelfth are invited to participate in the State of New Jersey’s Kids Safe Online Poster contest. The contest is sponsored by the NJCCIC in conjunction with the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC). This is a national contest which encourages our youth to use the Internet safely and securely. Learn more about the contest.

+ Stay Safe Online

Citizens need to be vigilant about protecting their children in both the physical and digital worlds. The internet can be a dangerous place if precautions are not taken. Get to know who is interacting with you or your children on the internet.

+ Tips

Practice good online safety habits with these tips and advice.