The NJCCIC's nomenclature is derived from its federal counterpart, the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, which encompasses the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT).
"[2] Governor Christie's directive followed a Presidential Executive Order from February 2015 signed at Stanford University "encourag[ing] the development and formation of Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations (ISAOs)...organized based on sector, sub-sector, region, or any other affinity..."[3] The formation of the NJCCIC also coincided with the aftermath of crippling and costly cyber-attacks against Rutgers University, New Jersey's largest public academic institution.
In his role, he serves as the federally designated Homeland Security Advisor (HSA) to the Governor and is the Cabinet-level executive responsible for coordinating and leading New Jersey’s Counterterrorism, Cybersecurity, and Emergency Preparedness efforts.
The NJCCIC received praise from Stanford University's Center for Internet and Society for "innovating" on cybersecurity information sharing at a pace and scale that few states have achieved.
Director Geraghty spoke with John Elliott from WCBS-TV during the 2023 iteration and highlighted the importance of hands-on cybersecurity training in developing the skills needed for cyber defense.