Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 12 May 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.

FEMA lifts freeze on Nonprofit Security Grant Program reimbursements

FEMA has lifted its freeze on reimbursements for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), a critical source of funding for at-risk nonprofits to bolster their security infrastructure. The freeze, which lasted at least two months, was part of a broader review of FEMA grant programs initiated by the Trump administration.

The resumption of reimbursements follows concerted advocacy efforts fromorganizations and bipartisan members of Congress. Karen Paikin Barall, vice president for government relations at the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), confirmed that State Administrative Agencies can now process payment requests from nonprofits. Nathan Diament of the Orthodox Union emphasized the NSGP’s role as “the biggest single resource the federal government provides to keep American Jews safe in the face of antisemitism”

In a related development, over 130 House lawmakers have submitted a bipartisan request for $500 million in NSGP funding for fiscal year 2026, nearly doubling the current allocation.

The lifting of the freeze ensures that previously approved nonprofits can now receive reimbursements for their security investments, providing much-needed relief amid ongoing concerns about targeted violence.

Analyst Comments: The reinstatement of NSGP reimbursements reinforces efforts to protect vulnerable “soft targets” such as houses of worship and community centers, locations that face growing risks from domestic threats including rising antisemitism. FEMA’s decision demonstrates an acknowledgment of the critical need for security readiness across the nonprofit sector, extending beyond traditional government sites.

SW Portland preschool security guard injures man in shooting; children unharmed, police say

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, a security guard at The Gan, a Jewish preschool in Southwest Portland, shot and seriously injured a man in a parking lot shared with the nearby Fanno Creek Medical Clinic. No children or staff were harmed. The preschool stated that the guard was “threatened and assaulted” and acted in self-defense, though police have not yet confirmed this. The injured man underwent surgery and survived. The incident took place amid heightened security at Jewish institutions in the wake of global antisemitic threats. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances and whether the man had a weapon or posed a threat.

Analyst Comments: This incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety at religious institutions, especially Jewish schools and centers alongside how have established safety protocols is important. The children and staff remained safe, and the emergency response was swift. One of the first questions that many houses of worship ask in relation to physical security is whether or not it is appropriate to have armed guards. GuideOne Insurance has produced a resource that helps answer some of those questions. Additionally, the FB-ISAO resource library provides resources on securing school facilities and students.

What Is the Goal of an Insider Threat Program?

The primary goal of an Insider Threat Program is to proactively identify and mitigate risks posed by individuals within an organization such as employees, contractors, or partners—who may intentionally or unintentionally compromise security. These threats can arise from malicious intent, negligence, or compromised credentials.

Key objectives of such a program include:

Early Detection: Utilizing behavioral analytics and user activity monitoring to identify unusual activities that may indicate potential threats.
Risk Mitigation: Implementing strategies to prevent data breaches, intellectual property theft, and other security incidents before they occur.
Incident Response: Establishing protocols to respond swiftly and effectively to insider threats, minimizing potential damage.

By focusing on these areas, organizations aim to protect sensitive information, maintain operational integrity, and uphold trust with stakeholders.

Analyst Comments: Proofpoint’s emphasis on swift incident response is vital, as insider threats often develop gradually and may go undetected until significant harm occurs. Establishing clear response procedures including legal and reputational safeguards is critical to limiting the overall impact. FB-ISAO regularly reports on incidents where employees and volunteers of faith-based organizations have abused their positions to steal money. We encourage members to review their internal controls to ensure they don’t fall victim of similar illicit activity. Gate15 Weekly Security Sprint has a podcast discussing DOGE, CISA, and insider threat, you can find the podcast here.