Coalition of N.J. lawmakers raises concerns over cyber threats, port security

A coalition of New Jersey lawmakers from both houses of Congress called for additional resources on Wednesday to address the security needs of New Jersey communities.

The coalition included U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Bob Melendez (D-NJ), along with U.S. Reps. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) and Scott Garrett (R-NJ).

The group sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson calling for adjustments to the way Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant allocations are calculated in order to take cyber threats and maritime security into account.

The USAI program provides funding to address the planning, organization, equipment, training and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas.

“We strongly believe that Port Newark, the-Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal and Port Jersey should be included in the Targeted Infrastructure Index when calculating the UASI risk formula,” the letter said. “In addition, the UASI risk score should take into account the threat of cyber attacks to our critical infrastructure. Taken together, these adjustments to the UASI risk score methodology can more accurately reflect the threats facing our communities.”