Identifying the Costs and Benefits of Creating a State-led Cyber First Responder Incident Command System in New Jersey

This report analyzes the costs and benefits of creating a Cyber Emergency Response System in New Jersey. In coordination with existing New Jersey programs, agencies, and fusion centers, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness has made it a priority to promote shared and real-time awareness of cyber threats for the New Jersey area. The Capstone research team recommends essential program elements; including preventative measures, cyber response capabilities, and data collection and information sharing that are vital for the functionality to ensure effectiveness of this system. The Capstone research team used the Military Decision Making Process to evaluate a menu of courses of action for financial cost, economic benefit, compatibility with Federal cyber programs, and reach. The Capstone research team ultimately recommends implementing Course of Action 3, which will: 

• Support current cyber hygiene activities while providing cyber training for business owners and increased cyber exercises and vulnerability assessments for private companies and government agencies

• Build a remote cyber incident response capability in addition to a small physical cyber response team for emergency scenarios

• Increase cyber threat data collection via subsidized information sharing software and hardware. 

Furthermore, moving in this direction will create training programs, on-site cyber vulnerability assessments, annual cyber exercises, and automated threat information sharing opportunities to further bolster the New Jersey cyber preparedness initiative and minimize economic losses inflicted by cyber crime and other malicious activity.