Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 20 May 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.

New: Alleged Manifesto in San Diego Mosque Mass Shooting Throws Wrench in Early Assumptions About Motives

RedState has written an article discussing a Twitter/X deep dive into the recently released manifesto of the Islamic Center of San Diego shooters. Reading the manifesto emphasizes that the attackers did not fit a simple political categorization, as it includes passages in which the shooters rejected both mainstream left‑ and right‑wing identities, expressed hostility toward multiple groups (including racial minorities, LGBTQ people, and the Jewish faith), and framed their target selection as part of a wider intent to attack “diverse targets.”

Similarly, PJ Media has written an article describing the manifesto as more explicitly driven by neo‑Nazi and white supremacist ideas, noting the use of fascist symbolism, rhetoric portraying Muslims and other groups as existential threats, and admiration for prior mass shooters such as the Christchurch mosque shooter. The manifesto self-describes the shooters’ as ideologically unconventional, specifically “Third Positionist”, a neo-fascist umbrella ideology.

Analyst Comments: Analysis of the shooter’s manifesto continues to show that the motivations behind domestic violent extremists (DVEs) who plan and carry out attacks are best described as “salad bar” extremism, or a mix of overlapping and sometimes contradictory beliefs. While some research suggests that many of these ideologies are ultimately rooted in white supremacist views, this blend of motivations can still drive individuals to violence. This patchwork of beliefs makes it more difficult for security personnel at Houses of Worship (HOWs) to identify potentially radicalized individuals targeting their facilities. Additionally, the wide range of ideologies reflected in these manifestos means that many different faith communities are at risk, as extremists can select targets that align with whichever beliefs they choose to prioritize.

Additional Reading:

• San Diego shooting suspects had manifesto, weapons cache: FBI
• Father-of-eight killed in San Diego mosque shooting hailed as a hero

New cybersecurity industry coalition aims to lead US critical infrastructure protection

The Cybersecurity Dive article reports that major U.S. infrastructure operators—including JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard, AT&T, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy—have formed the Alliance for Critical Infrastructure (ACI), an industry-led coalition to strengthen cross-sector cybersecurity coordination amid declining federal support. The initiative reflects concerns that reduced government capacity under the Trump Administration is creating gaps in national cyber defense, prompting private-sector leaders to assume greater responsibility for resilience and crisis preparedness. Building on the Tri-Sector Executive Working Group, ACI seeks to enhance information sharing and preparedness for large-scale cyber crises, while coordinating with existing bodies such as ISACs and sector coordinating councils to integrate with established ecosystems and avoid duplication.

Analyst Comments: The way critical lifeline sectors, such as energy, water, and communications, organize coordinated resilience efforts on the national level continues to evolve based on recent shifts in government priorities and funding. While the faith-based sector is not directly impacted by the establishment of such organizations as ACI, some of their supply chain vendors, such as electric utilities and internet providers, are. HOWs should remain aware that national-level coordination efforts that help secure the dependencies that keep their facilities operational remain in flux in the short term.