Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 9 October 2024

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.

FB-ISAO Newsletter

Volume 6, Issue 10

October-2024

Articles in this month’s newsletter include:

Responding to Swatting and Hoax Threats: Guidance for the Faith-Based Community

Faith based institutions, including places of worship, schools, and nonprofits, have increasingly become the targets of swatting calls and hoax threats, leading to fear and potentially harmful interactions with law enforcement.

The article discusses this threat and provides links to DHS’ Swatting Calls and Hoax Threats Targeting Faith Communities and other planning resources.

Disaster Scams

Fraudulent emails and social media messages—often containing malicious links or attachments—are common after major natural disasters.

The article discusses this timely issue and provides links to other resources.

The newsletter Spotlights:

Welcome to Our New Board Member

On September 23, 2024, the FB-ISAO Board of Directors met and voted on the appointment of Steven Bieber as the new Treasurer and Secretary. With over 30 years of experience in water security, public policy, and environmental regulation, Steve brings a wealth of expertise to the role. His track record in building strategic partnerships and guiding executive leadership ensures his contributions will be invaluable as FB-ISAO continues to advance its mission.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to Boykin Jordan, who has stepped down from the Board after serving since 2022. Boykin’s leadership as Treasurer and Secretary was instrumental in helping FB-ISAO meet its fiduciary and compliance goals.

The newsletter also covers:

• FB-ISAO Cyber and Physical Threat Levels remains Elevated
• FB-ISAO Advisory Board
• How to join FB-ISAO
• FB-ISAO Slack
• A link to upcoming FB-ISAO Events

The October 2024 Newsletter has been directly distributed to members and may be accessed here. 

Want this newsletter delivered directly to your inbox each month? Membership in FB-ISAO is open to all Faith-Based Organizations including Houses of Worship, Charities, Faith-Based Schools and their affiliated organizations. Join FB-ISAO!

Hurricane Milton

At 11 am ET, the National Hurricane Center (noaa.gov) stated:

..TORNADIC SUPERCELLS FROM MILTON BEGINNING TO SWEEP ACROSS THE SOUTHERN FLORIDA PENINSULA… …THE TIME TO PREPARE, INCLUDING EVACUATE IF TOLD DO SO, IS QUICKLY COMING TO AN END ALONG THE FLORIDA WEST COAST…

Additional Information:

• NHC: Key Messages for Hurricane Milton
• Central Florida braces for life-threatening impacts from Major Hurricane Milton at landfall
• Nearly 1,500 Florida gas stations have run out of fuel. Hurricane Milton could cause even more trouble
• What is making Hurricane Milton so ferocious
• #Milton one-stop page: The latest storm forecasts, maps, imagery and more

Analyst Comments:

As the National Hurricane Center stated, “THE TIME TO PREPARE, INCLUDING EVACUATE IF TOLD DO SO, IS QUICKLY COMING TO AN END ALONG THE FLORIDA WEST COAST…”

Once the hurricane has passed, FB-ISAO’s October Newsletter and 2 October 2024 Daily Awareness Post  can be referenced to avoid hurricane-related scams.