Designates October of each year as "Cyber Security Awareness Month."

AJR128

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 128

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

Assemblywoman� ANNETTE QUIJANO

District 20 (Union)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates October of each year as �Cyber Security
Awareness Month.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
designating the month of October
of each year as �Cyber Security Awareness Month� in the State of New Jersey.

Whereas,

Universal access to cyberspace has become a vital resource in our society,
allowing the residents of New Jersey to better connect with family and friends,
complete business transactions remotely, work more efficiently, achieve
educational goals, and connect to digital resources and services; and

Whereas,

Protecting cyberspace should be of paramount importance, as this infrastructure
is vulnerable to a wide range of threats perpetrated through cyberspace, such
as banking and financial fraud, intellectual property violations, child
pornography, human exploitation, and other crimes, all of which have
substantial social and economic consequences; and

Whereas,

In 2017, the Office of the Attorney General and the New Jersey Division of
State Police (DSP) announced that 687 cyber data breaches affecting more than
116,000 New Jersey account holders were reported to the DSP in calendar year
2016; and

Whereas,

The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell brings
together analysts and engineers for cyber security information sharing, threat
analysis, and incident reporting to fight against cyber threats on behalf of
New Jersey residents and businesses; and

Whereas,

While the government can take steps to maintain a safe cyber community, the
government alone cannot solve the problem, as cyber security is a shared
responsibility; and

Whereas,

The federal �Stop.Think.Connect.� campaign has been designated as the national
public awareness campaign implemented through a coalition of private companies,
nonprofits, government organizations, and academic institutions working
together to increase the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the
American public to be safer and more secure online; and

Whereas,

The President of the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, the National
Association of State Chief Information Officers, and the National Cyber
Security Alliance have declared the month of October as National Cyber Security
Awareness Month; and

Whereas,

The State of New Jersey recognizes that it is in the best interest of its
citizens that people of all ages should know how to take appropriate measures
to protect their online accounts and personal information and declares October
as �Cyber Security Awareness Month� in this State to educate and inform the
residents of New Jersey about the risks of the internet and the importance of
being safe and responsible online; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� October of each year is
designated as �Cyber Security Awareness Month� in New Jersey to educate the
citizens of the State on the risks of the Internet and the importance of being
safe and responsible online.

���� 2.��� The Governor shall
annually issue a proclamation and call upon public officials, private
organizations, and all citizens of this State to observe �Cyber Security
Awareness Month� with appropriate activities and programs.

���� 3.��� This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates the month of October as �Cyber Security Awareness Month� in New
Jersey to educate the citizens of the State on the risks of the Internet and
the importance of being safe and responsible cyberspace users. The resolution
also requires the Governor to issue a proclamation calling on public officials
and citizens of New Jersey to observe October as �Cyber Security Awareness
Month.�

���� Access to cyberspace has
become a vital resource in our society, allowing the residents of New Jersey to
better connect with family and friends, complete business transactions
remotely, work more efficiently, achieve educational goals, and connect to
digital resources and services. Although this access to cyberspace provides
many benefits, there are also potential risks to our confidential information,
personal privacy, and personal safety. This resolution will allow the State to
increase awareness, education, and training to create a digital community that
is safer in this State.