Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 1 May 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. 

Review of Security Teams in Light of Recent Legislation in California 

• Member ONLY Event.
• Join a discussion on the effects to security teams, how they operate, and what requirements they may need to meet pursuant to a bill that was just passed in the state of California.  

Due to scheduling conflicts, the event date had to be changed from 06 May to 22 May. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that you can still join us!

Register Here 

Presentation of Incidents Affecting Houses of Worship in 2024 

• Member ONLY Event.  
• Join a presentation of the much-anticipated cumulative data on attacks on houses of worship in 2024.  

The presentation will take place on 07 May 2025 at 12pm ET. 

Register Here 

Map and List of Cities Hosting 50501 Protests Against Trump on May 1 

50501, a prominent grassroots organization, is leading a nationwide protest movement on today May 1, 2025 (May Day) in opposition to President Donald Trump’s second term. The protests are being held across all 50 states, highlighting concerns about democracy, labor rights, and authoritarianism. 

Key Details: 

• Organizing Group: 50501 (named for 50 protests in 50 states on one day) 
• Focus: Peaceful resistance to Trump’s leadership and policies, using May Day’s symbolism of worker solidarity. 
• Support: Backed by immigrant rights and civil rights groups. 
• Participation: Events range from large city rallies to smaller rural gatherings. 

Analyst Comments: The use of May Day ties the protests to historical labor movements, signaling solidarity with working-class, immigrant, and marginalized communities. Events are taking place in all 50 states, including rural and suburban areas, while largely peaceful the decentralized nature can lead to variations in tone and crowd dynamics, potentially increasing risk for disruption in some locations. It is important to monitor local protest schedules, coordinate with local law enforcement, lock secondary entrances, communicate a plan, and use community engagement.  

Happy Password Day! Yes, That’s a Thing – And It’s More Fun Than It Sounds 

The SANS Institute’s blog post, “Happy Password Day! Yes, That’s a Thing – And It’s More Fun Than It Sounds,” emphasizes the critical role passwords play in safeguarding our digital lives. While passwords can be cumbersome, they are essential for protecting access to sensitive information like banking, email, and social media accounts. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Long and Unique Passwords: It’s crucial to create long, unique passwords for each account. Using passphrases combinations of random words can enhance security and memorability.  
• Password Managers: Utilizing password managers can help generate, store, and manage complex passwords, reducing the burden of remembering multiple credentials.  
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enabling MFA adds an extra layer of security, making it significantly harder for unauthorized users to gain access, even if a password is compromised. 

Analyst Comments: The SANS Institute’s Password Day blog delivers an essential, timely reminder about the foundational role passwords still play in cybersecurity. While newer authentication methods are gaining popularity, passwords remain a first line of defense for most users and organizations. Password Day is a great hook for launching or reinvigorating employee cybersecurity awareness efforts. Organizations should use it to promote internal password best practices and training. As cyber threats evolve, the fundamentals matter more than ever. Security leaders should leverage this moment to reinforce good password hygiene, introduce tools like password managers, and double down on MFA across all user tiers. 

Resources:

• Create and use strong passwords
• Use Strong Passwords