Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 08 November 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. 

Violent Attacks on Houses of Worship

A-Mark Foundation reports:

Approximately 3.2% of all congregations nationwide are Jewish and 0.6 are Muslim but those religions were the target of 22% and 17%, respectively, of attacks documented in this report.

Over the past decade, several devastating mass shootings and a rise in hate crimes left houses of worship feeling vulnerable and looking for ways to protect their congregants. Aiming to understand the threat houses of worship face, A-Mark Foundation has identified 59 violent attacks targeting congregants, clergy, or staff at a house of worship between January 2012 and December 2022. This report examines the different types of attacks carried out and the motivations of the 58 total perpetrators of those 59 attacks.

The item also lists violent attacks on houses of worship from 2012 to 2022.

Analyst Comments:

While this item deals with pre-2023 attacks, much of the material is relevant to today’s threat environment. The Israel-Hamas conflict has increased the need for robust security considerations.

The DHS Resources and Information for Faith and Community Leaders Regarding the Israel – Hamas Conflict was update October 19 and provides numerous resources for Faith-Based Organizations.

The FB-ISAO Resource Library has many Physical Threat Security Resources.

Follow up to  06 November Daily Awareness Post about suspicious packages with white powder.

Fox 13 reports that another suspicious letter with white powder was found at a Seattle synagogue. It is the fourth incident involving several synagogues.

The South Seattle Emerald reports that the FBI has taken the lead in investigating the Seattle synagogue suspicious packages.

Analyst Comments:

Faith-Based Organizations should consider preparing for the threat of suspicious packages with white powder. Like earlier swatting incidents and bomb threats, this tactic may spread to other areas and organizations.

FB-ISAO’s 06 November Daily Awareness Post provides guidelines for suspicious packages, especially those with white powder.

FEMA and CISA Release Joint Guidance on Planning Considerations for Cyber Incidents

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the joint guide Planning Considerations for Cyber Incidents: Guidance for Emergency Managers to provide state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) emergency managers with foundational knowledge of cyber incidents to increase cyber preparedness efforts in their jurisdictions. Emergency managers should be able to understand and prepare for the potential impacts of cyber incidents on their communities and emergency operations. FEMA and CISA encourage emergency managers to review this guide for recommendations on how to plan for and respond to cyber incidents.

In a related item, Fox 4 reports that a Kansas church’s congregation received scam emails asking for donations.

Analyst Comments:

While this guidance is for government emergency managers, the information is good for all cybersecurity leaders to consider, especially those new in the role.

While much consideration is given to physical security, cybersecurity should also be considered. Most FBOs rely heavily on information technology (IT), and a cyber attack could cripple an FBO.

The FB-ISAO Resource Library has many Cybersecurity Resources.