Faith-Based Security Headlines
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.
How to protect your congregation from swatting and bomb threats during High Holiday services
The Forward articles provides steps from security professionals on:
- Before a potential swatting or bomb threat incident occurs,
- What to do during a swatting incident,
- What to do after receiving a bomb threat,
- And how to keep your synagogue livestream safe.
The live stream information is included because – “One thing this summer’s swatting incidents and bomb threats targeting Jewish institutions had in common was that the perpetrators appeared to be selecting synagogues that were live streaming their services.”
They also provide the following tip – “Some cities allow individuals to place their address in a police database of locations that may be targeted by swatting. The list is intended to help officers know they should proceed with caution. However, synagogues might be reluctant to use these tools because they also may face real threats requiring a quick police response.”
Analyst Comments:
Over the summer and on multiple occasions, the FB-IASO Daily Awareness Post has reported on the increase in swatting incidents and bomb threats, including highlighting incidents in the of Daily Awareness Post of 14 August 2023. On 11 September, The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported that at least two more synagogues in the United States reported bomb threats.
With the approach of the High Holidays, attendance of services at synagogues will increase and incidents may also increase, thus making safeguarding facilities even more important.
The Maine School Safety Center provides information on Anonymous Threats, Swatting, and more.
These incidents may also include suspicious packages. Fox 28 News reported that police responded to a Columbus, Ohio synagogue for a suspicious package on 11 September. While the package proved to be harmless, Faith-Based Organizations need to also plan for suspicious packages.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has made numerous resources available, including through the Bombing Prevention webpage at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The resources include a Bomb Threat Checklist and videos on how to respond to bomb threats and suspicious or unattended items.
As always, the Faith-Based ISAO’s website provides resources in the Resource Library.
Get the Daily Awareness Post Delivered to your Email!
More Faith-Based Stories
Beloved Chicago pastor found fatally battered as man she helped is charged with murder
ME: Palermo Baptist Church Vandalized with Pro-Abortion Slogans
VT: Police investigate ‘hate-motivated’ vandalism
CA: Van Nuys church vandalized; suspect gets away from responding officers
NC: Tractor used to help grow food for homeless stolen from church
NORTH CAROLINA POLICE ARREST ‘GOYIM DEFENSE LEAGUE’ MEMBERS FOR ANTISEMITIC THREATS
CA: Coalition Files Lawsuit to Stop Antisemitic Content from Being Taught in Santa Ana Public Schools
LGBTQ+ Advocates Gather at Worcester Diocese’s Chancery to Protest Gender Policy
91-Year-Old Ex-Priest Indicted in New Orleans for Alleged Rape of Boy in 1970s
New Orleans Archdiocese Says Parishes Will Be Asked to Help Pay for Clergy-Abuse Settlements
Morocco earthquake: Christian groups send emergency aid as nearly 2,500 confirmed dead
90% of the 5,500 Christians Killed in 2022 Were Nigerian – International Christian Concern
Canada Truck attack: Trial begins for man accused of killing Muslim family
IT Systems Encrypted After UK School Hit By Ransomware Numerous UK schools, including the Church of England St Augustine Academy.
Select All-Hazards Stories
Bomb threats targeting schools, landmarks reported across D.C. metro area
Escaped killer Danelo Cavalcante shot at by Pennsylvania homeowner after stealing rifle: report
FDNY Deaths from 9/11-Related Illness Near Total of Firefighters Who Died at Ground Zero
Extremists keep trying to trigger mass blackouts — and that’s not even the scariest part
NV: Boogaloo member Stephen Parshall sentenced for plot to blow up substation near BLM protest
Flight from Israel to England: Passenger yelling ‘Allahu Akbar’ tackled while trying to open airplane door in middle of flight
How to Look Out for Potential Attacker Red Flags
DHS OIG: DHS Does Not Have Assurance That All Migrants Can be Located Once Released into the United States (REDACTED) (PDF)
Children are Not for Sale: Examining the Threat of Exploitation of Children in the U.S. and Abroad
Neo-Nazi group that protested Columbus drag brunch claims to have started an Ohio chapter
Terrorism police list Extinction Rebellion as extremist ideology
Locally Heavy Rain and Flooding Possible; Lee in the Atlantic National Weather Service
Some 10,000 people feared missing in Libyan floods
How TikTok Became a Hotbed of Brand Misinformation
MGM Resorts says it identified ‘cybersecurity issue’ that’s affecting some of company’s systems
Vulnerability Summary for the Week of September 4, 2023
More Security-focused Content
The FB-ISAO’s sponsor Gate 15 publishes a free daily newsletter called the SUN. Curated from their open source intelligence collection process, the SUN informs leaders and analysts with the critical news of the day and provides a holistic look at the current global, all-hazards threat environment. Ahead of the daily news cycle, the SUN allows current situational awareness into the topics that will impact your organization. To sign-up for The SUN, please sign up below.
This DAP highlights – How to protect your congregation from swatting and bomb threats during High Holiday services. Safeguarding live streaming. Responding to suspicious packages. Every DAP also has More Faith-Based Stories and Select All-Hazard Stories. 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.
