Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 4 February 2025

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.

Justice Department Announces Formation of Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism

From the US Department of Justice (DOJ) press release:

Pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order on Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, the Justice Department announced today the formation of a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. The Task Force’s first priority will be to root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses.

In addition to the Department of Justice, the Task Force will include representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies as it develops. The Task Force will be coordinated through the Department’s Civil Rights Division.

 “Anti-Semitism in any environment is repugnant to this Nation’s ideals,” said Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leo Terrell, who will be heading the Task Force. “The Department takes seriously our responsibility to eradicate this hatred wherever it is found. The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is the first step in giving life to President Trump’s renewed commitment to ending anti-Semitism in our schools.”

Related Items:

• Executive Order: Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism
• HHS’ Civil Rights Office Acts Swiftly to Combat Anti-Semitism (Investigations will examine medical schools.)

Analyst Comments:

Reports of antisemitism can be made to the DOJ at Contact the Civil Rights Division.

2025 Homeland Security Threat Forecast: Part III, The Multidimensional Threats

Homeland Security Today has released Part III, The Multidimensional Threats, of their 2025 Homeland Security Threat Forecast. The total forecast covers Terrorism, Advanced Technology, and Multidimensional Threats.

The 29 January 2025 Daily Awareness Post highlighted Part I, Terrorism.

On 30 January, Homeland Security Today released Part II, Cyber & Advanced Technology of 2025 Homeland Security Threat Forecast.

Part III, The Multidimensional Threats details the following multidimensional threats:

• Array of Threats: Drugs, HVEs, Border Security
• Emergency Management
• Variety of Threats Call for Coordination and Investment
• Biological Threat Outlook
• Insider Threat and the Vulnerability of Infrastructure
• Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported Fishing
• Supply Chain Security
• Our Financial Market, Critical Infrastructure and Biotechnology
• Chemical Security
• Complex Risks Ahead for Homeland Security in 2025
• Physical, Cyber, Information Operations – Threats
• Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: Securing America Against Emerging Threats
• Vulnerabilities in our Healthcare System
• Human Trafficking
• The Converging Nature of Terrorism, Cyber and Internal Threats

Analyst Comments:

Reviewing Part I, Terrorism, Part II, Cyber & Advanced Technology, and Part III, The Multidimensional Threats can assist Faith-Based Organizations with knowing possible threats to their organization, assessing their organizations risk, and developing cost and time-efficient security plans and procedures.

Reminders of This Week’s FB-ISAO Events

For information on these and other events, go to Events – FB-ISAO.

Wednesday, 05 February 2025

Standing Up Security Teams: Selecting and Recruiting Your Operations Team

During this session we will discuss screening potential team members for alignment with the organization’s mission and culture. Those traits can include the team members’ proper mindset, aptitude, character and disposition.

Date: 05 February 2025

Time: 12pm ET

To register: please visit our events page.

Thursday, 06 February 2025

Discussion on ISIS-Related Plots in Europe and the Potential for Similar Targeting in the Homeland

Join the FB-ISAO and John Cohen (Executive Director of the Program for Countering Hybrid Threats at the Center for Internet Security) for a discussion on the topic of ISIS-Related Plots. 

This discussion is open to all; however, registration is required. Members of FB-ISAO will have first dibs on virtual seats to attend the discussion. We encourage members to register by 30 January to guarantee a seat. Non-members will be allowed to register for a limited number of slots after 30 January.

Date: 06 February 2025
Time: 11am ET
Register here.