Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 10 October 2023

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. 

FBI Statement on Hamas Attacks in Israel

While the FBI does not have specific and credible intelligence indicating a threat to the United States stemming from the Hamas attacks in Israel, we are closely monitoring unfolding events and will share relevant information with our state, local, federal and international law enforcement, intelligence and homeland security partners to ensure they are prepared for any impacts to public safety. We will not hesitate to adjust our security posture, as appropriate, to protect the American people. We are closely coordinating with our counterparts in the region as well as other international partners. Through our Legal Attaché office in Israel, FBI personnel are working with our partners on the ground to locate and identify any impacted Americans. Reports of deceased, injured, or missing Americans are being treated with the utmost urgency and aggressively investigated. The FBI’s Victim Services Division is coordinating with the Department of State to assist, as necessary, with family engagement.

Analyst Comments:

Across the county, governments are providing additional funds to protect houses of worship and law enforcement agencies are increasing protection of houses of worship especially Jewish facilities. Some examples are below.

• Abbott spends $4M to secure Jewish schools, synagogues, blocks purchase of Gaza goods
• Little Rock Police enhances security around places of worship amid ‘traumatizing’ attacks on Israel
• Palm Springs Police stepping up patrols at synagogues after attacks on Israel

If not already done so, Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) should consider contacting local law enforcement to coordinate more closely during this time of heightened threats. During “normal” levels of threats, FBOs should consider applying for all available non-profit, community, and faith-related grants. FBOs should also consider strengthening their relationship with local and regional law enforcement agencies before an incident or heightened threats.

Past experiences can also help FBOs prepare for today’s threats. A past Israel-Hamas conflict in 2021 increased antisemitic incidents by 75%, as reported in the 2021 article –  Antisemitic Incidents Reported to ADL Increase Sharply During Israel-Hamas Conflict. The current hostilities will probably cause many more incidents, over a longer period of time.

If not already a member of FB-ISAO consider joining FB-ISAO and becoming involved with  FB-ISAO’s Working Groups and Information Sharing Communities. This is an excellent way to become part of the security solution.

The following resources can help FBOs defend against all types of threats and prepare for attacks.

• FB-ISAO members are sharing additional information on this event as well as information about domestic protests and security coordination activities in FB-ISAO Slack. Join here.
• FEMA: You Are the Help Until Help Arrives
• STOP THE BLEED
• Faith-Based Community | Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA with links to multiple resources.
• CISA’s Protective Security Advisors (PSA) Security Advisors
• Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship – Security Guide (cisa.gov)
• Protecting Places of Worship: Six Steps to Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence (cisa.gov)
• Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places-Resources Guide.
• Nonprofit Security Grant Program | FEMA.gov
• FEMA: Take these 4 Steps to Apply for a Nonprofit Security Grant
• DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships | FEMA.gov
• Cyber Threats and Advisories | Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA

As always, FB-ISAO’s website has valuable resources at Resource Library – FB-ISAO (faithbased-isao.org).

Weekly Security Sprint EP 37. Conflict in the Middle East, CISA advisories, lessons learned, 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 discuss the war in Israel and other security issues.

The above Gate 15 Weekly Security Sprint website also provides links to many security-related items of interest.