Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 19 February 2025

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.

Weekly Security Sprint EP 99. China, hostile events, and 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 covered the following topics:

•  China 
• Quantum Computing Resources 
• Hate, Extremism, & Terrorism  

Information on other Gate 15 podcasts can be found here.  

Deciphering a potential revival of the Islamic State 

This article discusses the potential resurgence of ISIS in the Middle East, following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. While the attack focused attention on Hamas, other terrorist groups, including ISIS, could exploit the regional instability. The article reflects on how ISIS, which dominated Iraq and Syria from 2013 to 2019, might revive amidst the current geopolitical situation. Despite significant setbacks, such as the death of founder Abu Bakr al-Baghadadi inn 2019, ISIS remains a persistent threat, exacerbated by the war in Gaza and shifts in regional security dynamics.  

Analyst Comments: 

ISIS is not just a military threat but also a powerful ideological one, with the ability to radicalize individuals through its propaganda, especially in regions marked by instability. Despite suffering significant military setbacks, ISIS has adapted and became a more fragmented yet still potent force. Ongoing regional and global security issues could provide it with opportunities to regain influence.  

What Caused Deadly L.A. Wildfires? Faulty Electrical Equipment Under Focus 

The article discusses lawsuits filed by individuals who lost their homes in the Eaton fire, claiming that Southern California Edison (SCE), the area’s utility company, is responsible. Eyewitness accounts, security camera footage, and power-line sensing equipment reportedly point to SCE’s electrical system as likely the cause. However, Edison International, SCE’s parent company, has stated that it’s too early to determine the exact cause, though it is investigating the possibility that their equipment is involved.  

The company also acknowledged that its equipment might have played a role in the nearby Hurst Fire in January. Electrical issues, such as faulty power lines, can easily trigger wildfires, and while lightning is the most common cause of wildfires, electrical equipment ignition have become a growing concern in California.  

Analyst Comments:  

A key issues is that, despite advancements in fire prevention, the aging electrical infrastructure combined with growing power demand makes the region more susceptible to fires. Faulty or damaged electrical equipment can easily ignite fires, and the increasing frequency of these incidents raises concerns. Ready.gov provides steps to prevent home fires and how you are able to stay safe is one occurs.