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.
Significant Heavy Rainfall Expected Across South Florida Today; Severe Weather Possible in the Midwest
From the National Weather Service:
A High Risk (level 4 of 4) of Excessive Rainfall is in effect for portions of South Florida today. Rainfall rates between 2-5 inches per hour will likely lead to considerable flash and urban flooding. Across the Midwest, scattered severe thunderstorms capable of producing very large hail, severe wind gusts and tornadoes are possible this afternoon into the early evening hours.
Related Articles:
- South Florida rains flood Miami, Fort Lauderdale
- Weather in South Florida Wednesday: Flood warnings, watches
- Serious heat wave to scorch the East next week. Maps show areas at risk
- The Atlantic is starting to bubble
Analyst Comments:
All parts of the United States can expect to be affected by some form of severe weather now or in the future.
FEMA’s Ready.gov provides the Severe Weather website and provides precautions in the 2023 FEMA Urges Preparedness Ahead of Severe Weather press release.
FB-ISAO issued the More Early Severe Weather Is In Forecast Security Advisory to FB-ISAO members. The advisory discussed the busiest severe weather May in the U.S. in 13 years and how the severe weather is expected to continue. The advisory provides planning recommendations and mitigation strategies.
To receive this Security Advisory and other alerts, join FB-ISAO.
CISA – National Internet Safety Month: This June, Take 4 Easy Steps to Stay Safe Online
From the CISA website:
Most of the time, cyberattacks occur due to poor cyber hygiene…the basics. Fortunately, there are four simple things we can all do to help protect ourselves and, by extension, others:
- Use strong passwords. “Strong” means at least 16 characters, random, and unique to each account. Use a password manager to automatically generate, store, and fill in passwords for you.
- Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA). MFA provides an extra layer of security in addition to a password when logging into accounts and apps, like a fingerprint, a code from an authenticator app, or a code sent to your phone. Enable it on any account that offers it, especially your email, social media, and financial accounts.
- Update software.When devices, apps, or software programs notify us that updates are available, install them as soon as possible. Updates fix security risks to better protect our data. Turn on automatic updates to make it even easier.
- Recognize and report phishing. Learn to recognize signs of phishing—messages designed to trick you into downloading malware (malicious programs) or giving personal information to a criminal. If an offer is too good to be true, it’s probably social engineering. If the message is alarming and requires urgent action, it might be a phishing message. Do not click or engage—report the phish and delete the message.
CISA’s Secure Our World website provides additional resources, including:
Analyst Comments:
Cybersecurity can be complex, but Faith-Based Organizations and their members can take better cybersecurity steps by utilizing the four basic steps provided by CISA.
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More Faith-Based Stories
MN: Fire at Maplewood Catholic church investigated as arson
Multiple acts of vandalism across NYC linked to war in the Middle East and Antisemitic Vandals Target Home of Brooklyn Museum Director Labeled ‘White Supremacist Zionist’ by Protesters
NY: Windows, statues vandalized at St. Dominic Church in Bensonhurst
TX: Pride flag repeatedly stolen from outside Cedar Park church
IL: SW Side Church extending Pride celebration after flag, decorations destroyed
TX: CAIR-DFW Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Post Showing Man Urinating on Tyler Mosque Sign
OR: Vandalism at local Roman Catholic church in Coos Bay
VA: Bob Good’s brother accused of verbally assaulting McGuire at church
Anti-Muslim hate groups in US surge back into spotlight
More Than 70,000 Adventist Health Tulare Patients Affected by Business Associate Breach
Modest needs? Charity founder accused of embezzling $2.5 million to fund lavish lifestyle
TN: Jackson youth pastor arrested on rape charges
Southern Baptists narrowly reject formal ban on churches with any women pastors
US Southern Baptists condemn IVF procedure
3 Christians executed by Islamic extremists in Nigeria
Select All-Hazards Stories
Man arrested in New York City with a gun, 8 loaded magazines, an NYPD vest and other weapons
Fugitive High-Ranking MS-13 Leader Arrested on Terrorism Charges and A leader of MS-13, known as one of the ‘Twelve Apostles of the Devil,’ arrested at Houston airport.
Jury Convicts Kentucky Man of Multiple Terrorism Charges
SWAT team arrests armed woman who barricaded herself inside Seattle FBI building lobby
Arizona Man Charged with Selling Guns for Use in Mass Shooting
Four Russian warships, including a nuclear sub, are sitting 200 miles off the coast of Florida
Pro-Palestinian protesters take over Cal State L.A. building, stranding administrators inside
MA: Newton arts center receives bomb threat before Pride event
A New Chinese Megaport in South America Is Rattling the U.S.
Europol: Announcement of two major actions targeting terrorist propaganda online on a global scale
FAA: Unruly Passenger Cases Continue to Rise as Summer Travel Begins
Study shows dengue cases in Mexico primed for widespread expansion
Phone Scammers Impersonating CISA Employees
Your Computer is Infected Scam
More Security-focused Content
The FB-ISAO’s sponsor Gate 15 publishes a free daily newsletter called the SUN. Curated from their open source intelligence collection process, the SUN informs leaders and analysts with the critical news of the day and provides a holistic look at the current global, all-hazards threat environment. Ahead of the daily news cycle, the SUN allows current situational awareness into the topics that will impact your organization. To sign-up for The SUN, please sign up below.
