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Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post

Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 08 November 2023

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. 

Violent Attacks on Houses of Worship

A-Mark Foundation reports:

Approximately 3.2% of all congregations nationwide are Jewish and 0.6 are Muslim but those religions were the target of 22% and 17%, respectively, of attacks documented in this report.

Over the past decade, several devastating mass shootings and a rise in hate crimes left houses of worship feeling vulnerable and looking for ways to protect their congregants. Aiming to understand the threat houses of worship face, A-Mark Foundation has identified 59 violent attacks targeting congregants, clergy, or staff at a house of worship between January 2012 and December 2022. This report examines the different types of attacks carried out and the motivations of the 58 total perpetrators of those 59 attacks.

The item also lists violent attacks on houses of worship from 2012 to 2022.

Analyst Comments:

While this item deals with pre-2023 attacks, much of the material is relevant to today’s threat environment. The Israel-Hamas conflict has increased the need for robust security considerations.

The DHS Resources and Information for Faith and Community Leaders Regarding the Israel – Hamas Conflict was update October 19 and provides numerous resources for Faith-Based Organizations.

The FB-ISAO Resource Library has many Physical Threat Security Resources.

Follow up to  06 November Daily Awareness Post about suspicious packages with white powder.

Fox 13 reports that another suspicious letter with white powder was found at a Seattle synagogue. It is the fourth incident involving several synagogues.

The South Seattle Emerald reports that the FBI has taken the lead in investigating the Seattle synagogue suspicious packages.

Analyst Comments:

Faith-Based Organizations should consider preparing for the threat of suspicious packages with white powder. Like earlier swatting incidents and bomb threats, this tactic may spread to other areas and organizations.

FB-ISAO’s 06 November Daily Awareness Post provides guidelines for suspicious packages, especially those with white powder.

FEMA and CISA Release Joint Guidance on Planning Considerations for Cyber Incidents

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the joint guide Planning Considerations for Cyber Incidents: Guidance for Emergency Managers to provide state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) emergency managers with foundational knowledge of cyber incidents to increase cyber preparedness efforts in their jurisdictions. Emergency managers should be able to understand and prepare for the potential impacts of cyber incidents on their communities and emergency operations. FEMA and CISA encourage emergency managers to review this guide for recommendations on how to plan for and respond to cyber incidents.

In a related item, Fox 4 reports that a Kansas church’s congregation received scam emails asking for donations.

Analyst Comments:

While this guidance is for government emergency managers, the information is good for all cybersecurity leaders to consider, especially those new in the role.

While much consideration is given to physical security, cybersecurity should also be considered. Most FBOs rely heavily on information technology (IT), and a cyber attack could cripple an FBO.

The FB-ISAO Resource Library has many Cybersecurity Resources.

More Faith-Based Stories

A 69-year-old Jew died after a confrontation at a protest. His death offers important warnings

Arson investigation underway at Montgomery County temple

Police investigating vandalism of cathedral in California as potential hate crime

Antisemitic graffiti scrawled across Beverly Grove resident’s garage

Former pro soccer player allegedly flashes Nazi salute at pro-Israel demonstrators in LA

Secure Community Network Logs Record High Antisemitic Incident Reports In October

‘Swift And Forceful Action’: FBI Investigating Violent Threats Made Against Jewish Staff At Ivy League School and U. Penn Alerts FBI of Antisemitic Emails With Threats of Violence Against Jews 

As antisemitism surges, Jewish people on Long Island apply for pistol licenses in growing numbers

Local faith leaders proclaim their support for Greater Lansing’s Muslim, Jewish communities

Jewish Schools Around New York City Are Hiring Armed Guards

U.S. Attorneys Thompson and Ihlenfeld Join with FBI and American Jewish Committee Leaders for Antisemitism Training

Evangelical Christians Mobilize To Help Israelis Touched by War

National Jewish groups put out the call for a massive ‘March for Israel’ in DC on Nov. 14

Firebombed pro-life medical network sues alleged vandals using same law that protects abortion clinics

France Investigates Possible Russian Link to Star of David Graffiti in Paris

Graffiti, arson attempt at property linked to Auckland synagogue

Molotov cocktails thrown at Montreal-area synagogue and Jewish center and Photos: Suspected Arson at Montreal Synagogue, Jewish Community Center

Select All-Hazards Stories

CISA Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar – Region 2 – NJ / NY / PR / USVI

The Hamas Networks in America: A Short History

USCP Officers Arrest Man with Rifle Thanks to Citizen Tip and Police Arrest Armed Man Near US Capitol, Respond To Suspicious Package Close To Senate

Rapper who wrote about wanting to kill president, bomb Senate charged with terroristic threats

DOJ: Engineer Indicted for Bombing Energy Facilities in California

This Is the Ops Manual for the Most Tech-Savvy Animal Liberation Group in the US; For the first time, guerrilla animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere reveals a guide to its investigative tactics and toolkit, from spy cams to night vision and drones

House censures Rep. Rashida Tlaib over defense of Hamas, calls to destroy Israel

NYC public defender Victoria Ruiz resigns after being caught tearing down Israel-Hamas hostage posters

Israeli diplomat pressured US college to drop course on ‘apartheid’ debate

International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) – Operation “Swords of Iron.” Real-Time Analysis of Operation Swords of Iron

Israel says it killed a top Hamas weapons manufacturer

Introducing Lantern: Protecting Children Online

Decoding Disinformation: The Spanish Election Information Operation Targeting Russian-Speakers

Phishing PDF Files Downloading Malicious Packages

CISA and FEMA: Shields Ready campaign

Microsoft Authenticator now blocks suspicious MFA alerts by default

Microsoft: Some Outlook.com users can’t send emails with attachments

More Security-focused Content

Read a report detailing attacks on Faith-Based organizations following the Dobbs ruling.
Read the October 2023 Threat Level Statement Update
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 free 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, please sign up below.

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