Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 02 January 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.

Al-Qaeda affiliate threatens attacks on airlines and prominent figures

NewsNation reports:

• The Transportation Security Administration is actively monitoring the threats
• AQAP released alarming videos online calling for attacks on U.S. airlines
• Precautions come as ongoing Israel-Hamas war sparks demonstrations

Additionally, the article reports:

“Notably, high-profile individuals such as Bill Gates, Elon Musk and former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Shalom Bernacchi are named as potential targets.

A meticulously produced instructional video accompanies these threats, featuring depictions of airplanes exploding and providing detailed instructions on bomb-making. The video goes further to offer tips on bypassing airport security measures and boarding flights undetected.”

Analyst Comments:

The video is produced by an affiliate of al-Qaeda, known as AQAP or IS-Khorasan. The NewsNation article emphasizes the videos threats against transportation and high profile individuals in the West, but the video can also serve as a reminder that Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) continue to be targets of international terrorists, domestic extremists, and individuals radicalized by videos like those put out by AQAP. These videos and publications also provide instructions on how to carry out an attack.

The Times of Israel reported that German police thwarted an attack of a Cologne Cathedral on New Year’s Eve. Members of Afghanistan offshoot of ISIS were arrested. Deutsche Welle (DW) reported that a fifth suspected terrorist has also been arrested.

In a related item, Politico reports that while New Years Eve is over, the threats continue, and security efforts must be continued.

While holiday threats are over, FBOs should consider continuing, or even improving, their security efforts in the New Year.

Ransomware attack disrupts Word Council of Churches communications

The Geneva-based World Council of Churches says a ransomware attack has disrupted its communications systems, which has shut down it website. In an initial contact on Dec. 26, the group hacked the systems of the WCC, which represents more than half a billion Anglican, Orthodox, and Protestants said the world church body on Dec. 28.

Analyst Comments:

While physical security can be a primary concern of FBOs, the World Council of Churches ransomware attack shows that cybersecurity should also be considered.

CISA provides Cyber Essentials, which is a guide for leaders of small businesses as well as leaders of small and local government agencies to develop an actionable understanding of where to start implementing organizational cybersecurity practices. The guidance can also be used by FBOs.

CISA also provides the Cyber Essentials Toolkits, a set of modules designed to break down the CISA Cyber Essentials into bite-sized actions for IT and C-suite leadership to work toward full implementation of each Cyber Essential.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center(IC3) provides resources to protect the public from cyber crime and also receives complaints for further investigation.

As always, Faith-Based ISAO’s website provides resources in the Resource Library, including information on Protecting Digital Assets.

Gate 15’s Top Podcasts of 2023!

Gate 15 has grouped their top 2023 podcasts in one convenient location. The podcasts include security-related Interviews, Risk Roundtables, Nerd Out Security Panel Discussions, and Weekly Security Sprints.

In 2024, Gate 15 will add the Venue Security, The IAVM Podcast Series. Gate 15’s founder and Managing Director, Andy Jabbour will host short interviews with venue safety and security experts from IAVM’s Venue Safety and Security Committee (VSSC) and other special guests from the IAVM community.

All of the Gate 15 podcasts can be found at The Gate 15 Podcast Channel.