Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 25 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.

The Gate 15 Interview: Faith-Based ISAO and DHS CISA on partnership, risk reduction, pizza MREs, and some great rock n’ roll

The Gate 15 Interview is a monthly interview between Gate 15’s Founder and Managing Director, Andy Jabbour and guests from throughout the homeland security risk management community addressing a wide range of all-hazards topics and issues.

In this episode of The Gate 15 Interview, Andy Jabbour welcomes Mayya Saab, Executive Director, Faith-Based Information Sharing & Analysis Organization (FB-ISAO), Susan Schneider, presently detailed as Associate Director, Non-governmental Engagements, with the DHS Office of Partnership and Engagement, and Daniel Avondoglio, with the Office of Security Programs at CISA.

In the discussion they address:

• What is FB-ISAO and what DHS is doing for the faith-based community.
• The general threat environment and how current geopolitical events are impacting that.
• Private-Public Partnership.
• Mitigating Risk.
• Resources!
• Planning. Training.
• We play Three Questions and talk summer, food and music!
• And more!

The podcast announcement website also provides links to references mentioned in or relevant to their discussion.

Information on other Gate 15 podcasts can be found at Podcasts (gate15.global).

Russia says 60 dead, 145 injured in concert hall raid; Islamic State group claims responsibility

The following is reported by AP:  

The prosecutor’s office said several men in combat fatigues entered the concert hall and fired on concertgoers. Dave Primov, who was in the hall during the attack, described panic and chaos when the attack began. “There were volleys of gunfire,” Primov told the AP. “We all got up and tried to move toward the aisles. People began to panic, started to run and collided with each other. Some fell down and others trampled on them.” Videos posted by Russian media and on messaging app channels showed men toting assault rifles shooting screaming people at point-blank range. In a statement posted by its Aamaq news agency, the Islamic State group said it attacked a large gathering of “Christians” in Krasnogorsk on Moscow’s outskirts, killing and wounding hundreds. It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the claim. However, U.S. intelligence officials confirmed the claim by the Islamic State group’s branch based in Afghanistan that it was responsible for the Moscow attack, a U.S. official told the AP. \

Related Items:

• Maps and Diagrams of the Moscow Concert Hall Attack.
• S. Warned Russia Before Moscow Attack That Killed at Least 60
• Islamic State releases Moscow attack video as death toll rises to 137
• How the deadliest attack on Russian soil in years unfolded over the weekend
• What We Know About ISIS-K, the Group That Has Been Linked to the Moscow Attack
• ISIS Affiliate Linked to Moscow Attack Has Global Ambitions
• State Department: The Islamic State Five Years Later: Persistent Threats, U.S. Options

Analyst Comments:

Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) should consider reviewing the Moscow incident to improve their own security posture. The Moscow venue’s characteristics can be compared to a FBO facility’s characteristics to decide what aspects of security need to be prioritized.

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

Additionally, Faith-Based ISAO’s website provides resources in the Resource Library, including information on Securing Facilities and People.

Threats to Catholic Charities staffers increase amid far-right anti-migrant campaign

Religious News Service reports:

“We have never seen this level,” Pajanor said, referring to the avalanche of vitriol he and his staff have received. “Some of our team members have been here for 20, 30 years, and they have said they have never seen such a thing happen.”

Analyst Comments:

Faith-Based Organizations should consider all verbal animosity and threats to be an indication of an increased threat environment. Any violent threats should be reported to law enforcement. If possible, provide caller ID, taping recordings, and any other details.

On 1 November 2023, FB-ISAO issued a Bulletin to FB-ISAO members which included information on Threatening Rhetoric Aimed at Catholic Charities.

Related item in the November Bulletin:

• MAGA Commentator Wants People to Shoot Charity Workers Assisting Migrants