This DAP highlights – Resources from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security / DOJ’s “Protecting Places of Worship” forum in Cleveland, OH / Campus Protest and Related Headlines. DAP also has More Faith-Based Stories and Select All-Hazard Stories. 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.
Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 27 March 2024
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.
Improving the Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places (ST-CP)
The following is a Rand comprehensive landscape assessment of the threat to soft targets and crowded places (ST-CP) with corresponding security measure recommendations.
Improving the Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places: A Landscape Assessment
Published March 27, 2024. Attacks on soft targets and crowded places (ST-CPs) represent a significant challenge. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires research and development to assess methods for reducing the propensity and loss of life from these types of attacks. In response, researchers from the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center conducted a comprehensive landscape assessment of the threat to ST-CPs and corresponding security measures. This assessment integrated literature reviews, attack plot analyses, grant data reviews, and security cost modeling to identify both needs for improvement and recommended research and investment priorities for addressing those needs.
Accompanying Insights:
Soft targets and crowded places (ST-CPs) are easily accessible to large numbers of people and have limited security or protective measures in place, making them vulnerable to attack. Examples include sports arenas, shopping centers, schools, transportation systems, and houses of worship. Although attacks on them are relatively rare, they result in significant loss of life and contribute to an atmosphere of fear throughout society. Researchers performed a landscape assessment of the threat to and major vulnerabilities of ST-CPs, existing security measures and initiatives, and ways to improve allocation of security resources. The researchers then developed a road map for future investments and made recommendations for improving ST-CP security and response to attacks. These recommendations include research, development, test, and evaluation priorities to improve prevention and protection, such as seeking methods of deterring and dissuading would-be attackers, more evaluation of the effectiveness of security measures, and developing a model concept of operations for open and nonsecure spaces. In addition, they recommended funding and policy priorities focused on public education and training, providing additional resources to cross-organizational security teams and managers, and increasing funding for access control systems.
Analyst Comments:
The above Rand Landscape Assessment and the accompanying Insights provide multiple Key Findings and Recommendations that can be considered by Faith-Based Organizations when maintaining their security posture.
Faith-Based ISAO’s 25 March 2024 Daily Awareness Post reported on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall music-venue attack. The Daily Awareness Post also listed the following resources:
- CISA: Complex Coordinated Attacks – Security Awareness for Soft Targets and Crowded Places
- FEMA: Planning Considerations: Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks, July 2018
- CISA: Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places–Resource Guide
- CISA: Fire as a Weapon Action Guide
- NCTC, DHS, FBI: Bystanders Are Key To Countering Terrorism – survey
Weekly Security Sprint EP 58. Moscow Attack, Weather report, and much more
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 discuss:
- Moscow Attack & Terrorism
- Chinese Cyber Threats
- Insider Threats & Espionage
The above Gate 15 Weekly Security Sprint website also provides links to many security-related items of interest including:
Guest Blog Posts – Another Great Way to Contribute to FB-ISAO’s Mission
Information on other Gate 15 podcasts can be found at Podcasts (gate15.global).
More Faith-Based Stories
FL: Man Arrested During Church Vandalism Investigation, Assault on Deputies
COMMUNITY ON EDGE: Gang Robs Jewish Man On His Way To Shacharis In Baltimore
TX: Suspect wanted in connection with burglary and vandalism of Brownsville church
Chinese citizen sentenced to over 8 years in prison for Alabama church fire
New Jersey Legislator Called to Step Down over Antisemitism
ADL Demands Action Following Antisemitic Incidents at University of Michigan
Demonstrators rally at Supreme Court over major abortion pill case
SCN BULLETIN: Suspicious Activity Reporting Indicators, Examples from Past Attacks and Attack Plots
Indiana church fires pastor accused of having sex with foster daughter over 100 times
Churches in South Sudan appeal for support during worsening humanitarian crisis
Nigeria: Gunmen Kill Pastor, Five Others in Nasarawa State
India: Anti-Christian Attacks Surge as Hindu Nationalism Grows
Nicaraguan regime bans Christian activities during Holy Week, organizes fashion shows instead
Select All-Hazards Stories
FBI Baltimore Statement on Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse
Bridge collapse disrupts key trade lane, prompting new supply chain woes and Fears of disruption to global supply chains after Baltimore bridge crash
DOJ: Comparing Violent Extremism and Terrorism to Other Forms of Targeted Violence
United States Targets Qods Force, Houthi, and Hizballah Facilitators of Terrorism
“Israel is ISIS” and other lies about the Crocus City Hall terror attack
Anti-Israel Lecturer Praises Hamas During Event at Columbia University
English Border Police Investigated for Bullying October 7 Survivors
Strong to Severe Storms Across Northern Florida and North-Central Texas; Active Pattern in the Northwest National Weather Service
Facebook snooped on users’ Snapchat traffic in secret project, documents reveal
Misinformation runs rampant after Baltimore bridge collapse
Rocked by Deadly Terror Attack, Kremlin Amps Up Disinformation Machine
More Security-focused Content
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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