The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) and the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) announced the launch of the New Jersey Civilian Cyber Resilience Corps (Cyber Corps), a statewide volunteer cybersecurity initiative designed to enhance the state’s ability to prevent, withstand, and recover from cyberattacks.
The Cyber Corps, established under the oversight of the NJCCIC and authorized by the New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force (DSPTF), will mobilize experienced cybersecurity and IT professionals to support government entities, critical infrastructure providers, and community organizations across the state.
Corps members will provide surge capacity and specialized expertise in incident response, vulnerability assessment, target hardening, cybersecurity training, and resilience-building efforts.
The formation of the cybersecurity group comes as data breaches continue to assault the nation’s online infrastructure. The recent AT&T data attack that affected nearly 86 million customer accounts, including over 44 million Social Security numbers, was a striking reminder of the scope of identity theft in this country.
Based on data compiled by financial data website WalletHub, New Jersey is the fourth-most vulnerable state in the nation. WalletHub disclosed its results Dec. 3 in its report “2025’s States Most Vulnerable to Identity Theft & Fraud.”
“As cyber threats continue to escalate in frequency and sophistication, New Jersey must continue to expand its defensive capabilities,” said NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran. “The Cyber Corps unlocks a new way for cybersecurity professionals to contribute directly to the security and resilience of the communities they live in.”
The Cyber Corps is a volunteer-based cybersecurity force managed by the NJCCIC. Volunteers will serve in a non-paid capacity, undergo screening and training, and may be deployed to assist organizations with preparedness, response, and recovery activities as needed. The program leverages volunteer expertise to expand statewide defensive capabilities and provide critical support during cyber events.
“Integrating volunteers into the NJCCIC’s operational framework significantly increases the state’s capacity to support local government entities, schools, critical infrastructure providers, and civil society organizations in preventing and responding to cybersecurity incidents,” said NJCCIC Director Michael Geraghty. “This program strengthens our whole-of-state approach to cyber defense and resilience.”
Individuals interested in volunteering and organizations seeking assistance should visit cyber.nj.gov, email njccic@cyber.nj.gov, or call 1-833-465-2242 for more information. Qualified cybersecurity professionals are encouraged to apply, and eligible public-sector and critical infrastructure organizations may request support at no cost.
