NJCU Hosts 6th Northeast Regional Security Education Symposium

New Jersey possesses one of the most complex and immense cybersecurity networks in the nation. Still, said Patrick Rigby, Chief of Staff for the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, “We always need to be accurate with our information and communicate with the public, while making sure we contain a situation or incident.”

“We especially need to ensure our information is accurate as we work with the press and are getting that information out to reporters.” Rigby’s remarks were made as part of a panel discussion on Media and Security Coverage during New Jersey City University’s 6th Northeast Regional Security Education Symposium.  The symposium was hosted earlier this month by the University’s Professional Security Studies Department in the Skyline Room at the NJCU School of Business.

NJTV anchor Mary Alice Williams, the other guest panelist, said journalists are often faced with the decision of whether or not to publish classified information they obtain.

“This always comes down to common sense,” said Williams, and often depends on whether disclosing or withholding information will more likely result in jeopardizing people’s lives.

“There is always that line between not telling everybody and telling everybody,” Rigby said. The two major points his staff needs to consider in determining which side of that line they need to take are, “Number one: Does this present an imminent danger to people around the affected facility or area, and what is the impact to other areas and facilities nearby?”

Rigby outlined the second point as, “Is there anything else that we need to consider that will compromise an ongoing investigation?”

Graham Kates, a CBS investigative reporter, served as moderator for the panel discussion, which was part of a day-long agenda focused on exploring national, corporate, and cybersecurity implications related to the public and private sectors.

Guest speakers included NJCU alumna Lynn Costantini, Cybersecurity Compliance and Oversight Manager at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities; Krista Mazzeo, Senior Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst, New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell – New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and Brian McDonough, Director of Environmental Safety and Security, Carepoint Health – Hoboken University Medical Center.