Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 11 February 2026

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.

Guidance to Assist Non-Federal Entities to Share Cyber Threat Indicators and Defensive Measures with Federal Entities under the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015

CISA has released new guidance designed to help non-federal entities such as private companies, state/local governments, and critical infrastructure operators understand how to voluntarily share cyber threat indicators and defensive measures with federal partners under CISA 2015. The guidance document explains the types of information that qualify as threat indicators or defensive measures, clarifies how to share them with federal capabilities such as Automated Indicator Sharing (AIS), and outlines the legal protections the Act provides when sharing is done in accordance with the statute. It also emphasizes the need for submitting entities to remove unrelated personal or identifying information before sharing and encourages structured, secure mechanisms for exchanging actionable cybersecurity data to improve collective threat awareness and response.

Analyst Comments: From an operational perspective, this CISA guidance serves as a practical roadmap for organizations seeking to participate in federal cybersecurity information‑sharing initiatives while maintaining compliance and minimizing liability. Analysts and security teams should use it to establish structured processes for identifying, sanitizing, and transmitting cyber threat indicators and defensive measures, ensuring that personal or unrelated data is excluded. Organizations can integrate these practices into existing incident response workflows, leverage Automated Indicator Sharing (AIS) or other federal channels for timely exchange, and document actions to demonstrate due diligence under CISA 2015 protections. By routinely sharing actionable threat information, entities not only strengthen federal situational awareness but also gain insights from peers and federal partners, enhancing overall cyber resilience and reducing the likelihood of repeated attacks.

DOJ signals crackdown on synagogue protesters using abortion clinic statute

The Department of Justice is signaling a broader federal crackdown on protesters who disrupt religious services by applying the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a law traditionally used to protect abortion clinics, to demonstrations at synagogues and other houses of worship. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the Civil Rights Division, said the DOJ has already used the FACE Act in a civil lawsuit against protesters accused of blocking services at a synagogue in West Orange, New Jersey, and is reviewing similar incidents for possible action. Under the statute, it’s a federal offense to use force, threats, or physical obstruction to interfere with a person’s right to worship or obtain medical services, and officials warn additional enforcement could follow as antisemitic incidents have increased. Supporters of the DOJ’s approach say this expands protections for all faith communities, while critics argue the statute’s enforcement raises questions about protest rights and federal authority.

Analyst Comments: From a security and risk management perspective, DOJ’s signaling that it will apply the FACE Act to disruptions at synagogues reinforces an important principle: obstruction of worship services can carry federal consequences, not just local disorder charges. For faith-based institutions, this development may have a deterrent effect, particularly if enforcement is visible and consistent. At the same time, it highlights the need for organizations to clearly distinguish between lawful protest activity occurring off property and unlawful obstruction or intimidation that interferes with access or safety. Institutions should consider reviewing access control plans, coordinate in advance with local law enforcement on protest response protocols, and train greeters and security volunteers on de-escalation and documentation procedures. Federal enforcement can strengthen the accountability framework, but operational resilience still depends on site-specific planning, clear communication channels, and well-rehearsed response measures that balance safety, constitutional considerations, and community optics.

Security as Stewardship: A Practical ELCA Resource for Churches

“Security as Stewardship: A Practical ELCA Resource for Churches” is a risk-management tool developed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)  for congregations. It presents a starting framework for thinking about safety, prevention, and emergency response within ministry settings, stressing that thoughtful security planning is part of caring for staff, volunteers, and worshipers. The resource outlines practical guidance in three areas—building relationships with local authorities, developing staff and volunteer preparedness (including emergency planning and basic medical readiness), and making simple building and grounds improvements to enhance safety. The guidance is intended to be clear and accessible, support proactive preparation, and align security planning with the church’s pastoral mission rather than create alarm.

Analyst Comments: Houses of worship (HOWs) leaders can use this ELCA resource as a structured starting point to initiate or enhance their congregation’s security planning. It works well as the foundation for a risk review discussion with councils, staff, and volunteers, helping them move from abstract concern to actionable steps. A useful way to approach planning is to start by understanding the three main guidance areas: local authority partnerships, internal preparedness, and facility measures. Some teams find it helpful to explore each area more deeply, often pairing existing guidance with consultations from local law enforcement and insurer risk checklists to shape a plan that fits their organization. Over time, many organizations track progress on upgrades and procedural changes, provide training to key volunteers on their roles, and revisit the guidance periodically to refine their approach as needs evolve.