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Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post

Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 2 July 2025

Faith-Based Security Headlines

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters. 

FBI, DHS warn of lone wolf attacks on July 4 in NYC and San Francisco

Federal authorities, including the FBI and DHS, have issued an advisory cautioning Americans to be vigilant ahead of July 4th holiday events. Their concerns centers on “lone wolf” attackers; individuals or small homegrown extremists inspired by recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, as well as the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. These actors could emulate past incidents, such as vehicle-ramming or shooting attacks, targeting open-air gatherings like parades, firework displays, and events near subways or waterfronts.

There is difficulty in detecting lone offenders until they become operational, concerted messaging from foreign terrorist organizations might further spur domestic extremism. Particularly vulnerable are large public gatherings, including festivals in major cities like New York and San Francisco, where attackers could utilize weapons, chemical agents, and drones.

Law enforcement agencies are adopting a multi-layered security approach with increased surveillance of vantage points, stringent access control, deployment of explosive-ordnance disposal teams and canine units, rapid tactical responses, and public awareness campaigns. The public is urged to familiarize themselves with event layouts, plan in advance in case of emergencies, and report suspicious activity promptly. 

Analyst Comments: These advisory highlights continued long-wolf attack risks around July 4th, especially with current global tensions. No specific threats are noted, but crowded events remain attractive targets for simple attack methods. Event organizers and nearby businesses should enhance vigilance, review access controls, and ensure rapid reporting of suspicious activity while maintaining clear, calm public messaging to support community awareness without causing fear. 

Severe storms, flash flooding to bring July Fourth holiday travel hassles

National forecasters and AccuWeather warn that severe storms and flash flooding may disrupt holiday travel across much of the central and eastern United States. A cold front sweeping through the region is expected to trigger intense thunderstorms bringing heavy rain, gusty winds, hail, and potential flash floods from the Ohio Valley through the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic from late this week into early next week. Already, flight delays and cancellations have impacted major hubs like New York, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., complicating the journeys of travel over the holiday.

Meanwhile, the Southeast coast especially beaches along Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas are under close watch for possible tropical development. Warm Gulf and Atlantic waters could spark a depression or storm near the coast around or just after July 4th. The National Hurricane Center is currently monitoring Tropical Storm Flossie in the Eastern Pacific, which is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and produce life-threatening and hazardous surf along the Mexican coast in coming days.

Analyst Comments: The combination of severe thunderstorms across the central and eastern U.S. and the potential for tropical development near the Southeast pose’s significant risks for July 4th travel and outdoor events. Flash flooding, flight delays, and congested roadways are likely, while beach communities could face hazardous rip currents and rough surf if a tropical system forms. The evolving tropic threat underscores the need for coastal communities and travelers to monitor updates closely as conditions can change rapidly.

How to Prepare:

  • Monitor airline apps for delays, allow extra time for connections, and consider early departure times to avoid storms. If driving, check local weather and road conditions and avoid flooded routes.
  • Sign up for local emergency alerts, have flashlights and battery backups in case of power outages, and review family communication plans in case of severe weather during gatherings.                                                  

Weekly Security Sprint EP 116. Iranian threats, Cyber resilience data, and hostile events

The Gate 15 Security Sprint is a weekly rundown of the week’s notable all-hazards security news, risks and threats and some of the key focus areas for organizations to consider behind the headlines. Gate 15 team members discuss physical security, cybersecurity, natural hazards, health threats and other issues across our environment.

In this week’s Security Sprint, Dave and Andy covered the following topics:

  • Hostile Nation States Employing Non-State Actors
  • Surge in MOVEit Transfer Scanning Could Signal Emerging Threat Activity
  • ‘Suspended animation’. US government upheaval has frayed partnerships with critical infrastructure
  • Short-term extension of expiring cyber-information – sharing law could be on the table

The above Gate 15 Weekly Security Sprint website also provides links to many security-related items of interest.

Information on other Gate 15 podcasts can be found at Podcast.

More Security-focused Content

Attacks on Houses of Worship in 2024
Access information on the FB-ISAO Threat Level
Access all-hazards resources from public and private sector partners, curated by the FB-ISAO team.

The FB-ISAO’s sponsor Gate 15 publishes a daily newsletter called the SUN. Curated from their open source intelligence collection process, the SUN informs leaders and analysts with the critical news of the day and provides a holistic look at the current global, all-hazards threat environment. Ahead of the daily news cycle, the SUN allows current situational awareness into the topics that will impact your organization. To sign-up for the SUN, send an email to gate15@gate15.global

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