Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 10 September 2025

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.

FB-ISAO Released an All-Faiths Analysis of Attacks on U.S. Houses of Worship in 2024

ICYMI, the FB-ISAO released our second annual all-faiths analysis of attacks on U.S. houses of worship. The data reveals that while total incidents dropped by 18% to 841 in 2024, there was an increase in violent incidents. Last year saw incidents involving casualties climb by 33% compared 2023 data. Most attacks were still non-violent property crimes, such as vandalism, theft, and arson, with 80% targeting physical structures rather than individuals, and 59% occurring outside the facilities while only 26% happened inside.

The study further found disproportionate targeting: although Jewish, Muslim, and Catholic congregations represent less than 10% of houses of worship, they accounted for 44% of all attacks. Ed Hayman, co-chair of FB-ISAO Operational Resilience Group, emphasized that threats vary by faith, region, and community, underscoring the need for tailored, data-driven security strategies rather than one-size-fits-all approach. To read the full report you can view it here.

Analyst Comments: FB-ISAO findings highlight that the overall number of incidents against HOWs has decreased in 2024, the severity of attacks rose, with more incidents resulting in casualties. This suggests that threat actors are shifting toward fewer but more violent assaults, raising stakes for security planning. This report reinforces that there is a need for layered resilience strategies, like enhanced situational awareness, investment in physical hardening, and community-based engagement to counter both violent extremism and lower-level.

US Jewish security group warns firearms in synagogues need strict oversight

The Secure Community Network (SCN), a leading Jewish security organization in North America, has released a report titled “Weapons at Worship,” advising that if synagogues choose to permit firearms for protection, these weapons must be strictly managed within a formal, structured program under synagogue leadership, in close coordination with law enforcement. The report emphasizes that firearms should only be carried by vetted and trained members of an organized security teams. The report details concerns such as community safety, legal accountability, and community trust.

Recommended practices include comprehensive policies governing member selection, training, clear rules of engagement, regular drills, legal and insurance reviews, identifiable markings for security personnel, and escalation protocols. The report also notes that armed security is one element of a comprehensive safety strategy, which should also include threat assessments, non-lethal options like tasers or pepper spray, surveillance systems, and coordination with law enforcement.

Analyst Comments: Many HOWs may be debating how best to balance a desire for increased security, while not wanting to introduce new risks. Allowing individuals to carry weapons informally risks to both safety and liability Training, coordination with law enforcement, and establishing clear rules of engaged should all be considered if a HOW voluntarily introduces firearms on campus, and they are encouraged to view them as part of a holistic security framework which should also include non-lethal tools, surveillance, and community preparedness.

Police say they seized 23 guns from the home of a 13-year-old who appeared to idolize mass shooters

A 13-year-old boy in Pierce County, Washington, was arrested after police discovered 23 firearms and ammunition in his home, along with disturbing social media posts that indicated a fascination with school shooters and threats of violence. The weapons, ranging from tactical rifles mounted on walls to unsecured handguns were found throughout the residence. Social media posts dating back to June showed him mimicking the attire and behavior of past school shooters and included ominous statements such as “when I turn 21, I am going to kill people”. Charged with five criminal offenses, four felonies including unlawful firearm possession and making threats, the boy pleaded to not guilty and remains in juvenile detention. Authorities are also investigating his parents for potential firearm storage violations.

Analyst Comments: This case shows the ongoing risk posed by unsecured firearms in homes and the role of online radicalization in amplifying violent fantasies among youth. The discovery of 23 guns points to significant lapses in safe storage, raising questions about parental accountability and compliance with state gun laws. From a security perspective, early intervention, prompted by community tips and social media monitoring likely prevented a tragedy. This also reinforced prevention in security like stronger safe-storage enforcement, mental health support for at-risk youth, and coordinated threat assessment processes between schools, law enforcement, and families. HOWs are encouraged to share resources with their communities, like the “Understanding Bystander Interventions to Prevent Terrorism” trifold from the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC).

Weekly Security Sprint EP 126. Information Sharing progress, ransomware report and news, and Alphabet Soup Month!

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 Weekly Security Sprint Dave and Andy covered the following topics: