Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 05 March 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.

13-year-old charged after allegedly planning a mass shooting at an Ohio synagogue in September, according to court docs

• The teen, whom authorities have not publicly identified, posted “a detailed plan to complete a mass shooting” at Temple Israel in Canton, the court documents state. The defendant posted the plan on the social media platform Discord, and when authorities notified public individuals and agencies and the school system, it caused “significant public alarm,” according to the documents.
• He allegedly planned to “burn and shoot up” the place of worship, according to a September 7 incident report from the Stark County Sheriff’s Office. The report states an FBI agent requested the support of the sheriff’s office in making contact with the suspect “in regards to threats to burn and shoot up” the synagogue. The partially redacted report identified the suspect as a White male…
• In a statement, Discord said it reported the user to the FBI.

Analyst Comments:

Like the Virginia church incident highlighted in Faith-Based-ISAO’s 28 February 2024 Daily Awareness Post 28 February 2024  and 26 September 2023 Daily Awareness Post (DAP), serious harm and possible death were averted because threatening posts on the internet were reported to law enforcement.

In Video Uploaded To Internet, Teenage Stabber Of Jew In Zürich Swears Allegiance To Islamic State (ISIS), Calls On Muslims To Target Jews And Christians Everywhere

Identifying himself as (name omitted), “soldier of the caliphate,” he declares he is responding to ISIS’ call to its fighters and supporters to “target the Jews and Christians and their criminal allies.” He states that the attack will begin by “storming a Jewish synagogue and attempting to kill and harm as many Jews as possible,” then leaving and “trying to behead any unbelievers outside.”

Analyst Comments:

On 13 October 2023, NBC News reported:

FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Tuesday that Hamas’ actions in the Middle East could inspire other terrorist attacks, including by violent extremists in the U.S.

“We assess that the actions of Hamas and its allies will serve as an inspiration the likes of which we haven’t seen since ISIS launched its so-called caliphate years ago,” Wray said in testimony at a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing focused on threats to America.

Based on the Zurich incident and Director Wray’s comments, Faith-Based Organizations should consider inspired, lone offenders to be a threat to Faith-Based Organizations.

Cyber security tips for remote work – ITSAP.10.116

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security posits:

 “When you work in the office, you benefit from the security measures that your organization has in place to protect its networks, systems, devices, and information from cyber threats. Working remotely provides flexibility and convenience. However, remote work can weaken your organization’s security efforts and put you at risk if you don’t take precautions. Read our cyber security tips to ensure that you are practicing good cyber hygiene when working from home, a café, or any other public location.”

The tips include material on:

• Mobile devices
• Phishing scams and social engineering
• Wi-Fi security and virtual private networks
• Wi-Fi hardware

PDF:itsap10116-cyber-security-tips-remote-work-e.pdf

Additional Cyber Security Information can be found at Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.

Analyst Comments:

Many Faith-Based Organization employees and volunteers work from home. The above guidance can help secure their operations.

Protecting Parishioners from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Church Executive recommends the following to protect against carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning:

• Install CO alarms
• Never use generators indoors
• Use kitchen vents whenever the stove is on
• Clean out fireplace flues
• Don’t leave vehicles idling in a garage or outside for more than a short time
• Never use gas-powered tools in confined spaces

The article also provides signs that equipment may have a CO problem and signs that an individual is suffering from CO poisoning.

Analyst Comments:

While there is necessary concerns about active shooter, terrorist attacks, and other threats; Faith-Based Organizations should also consider protecting against the “silent killer”, carbon monoxide.