Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 21 February 2025

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.

Milwaukee church vandalized, set on fire 

Surveillance footage from Good Samaritan Westside Community Church in Milwaukee Wisconsin reveals an attack on the place of worship. Surveillance footage shows an individual smashing a stained-glass window with a hammer and threw a firecracker through it, starting a fire. The damage was significant, and police are investigating the incident as arson, and no arrests have been made yet.  

Analyst Comments: 

This attack on the church is part of a larger pattern of violence targeting religious institutions. Although the specific motivation behind this incident is still unknown, attacks on places like churches, synagogues, and mosques are often meant to instill fear and disturb the sense of safety within these communities. The assault on this church highlights the vulnerability of such institutions, which are meant to be sanctuaries of peace.  

Fire as a Weapon is a constant threat against houses of worship. Faith-Based Organizations should consider taking actions to protect against Fire as a Weapon attacks. Also, many violent protests utilize Fire as a Weapon and a house of worship may be an intended target or an incidental victim. 

Protection Measures: 

• Install break resistant windows or protective covers over stained-glass windows.  
• Clear things like shrubbery that block the view of the building (also mitigates spread of fire). 
• Secure flammable liquids and chemicals. 
• Maintain fire extinguishers and train staff to use them. Consider having larger extinguishers than those required by code. 
• Clean up – Remove anything (including shrubbery) that could fuel a fire.  
• Invite Fire Department to evaluate and pre-plan your facilities. 

Additional Resources: 

• CISA’s Fire As A Weapon Action Guide 
• US Fire Administration website: Protecting Houses of Worship Against Arson 

As always, Faith-Based ISAO’s website provides resources in the Resource Library, including information on Securing Facilities and People 

Istanbul arrests Uzbek national planning terrorist attacks on Jewish schools, synagogues

An Uzbek national, Abdulmalik A., was arrested in Istanbul for planning terrorist attacks on Jewish schools and synagogues in Turkey and abroad. The man, reportedly a member of ISIS, had been given orders from an ISIS official to carry out simultaneous attacks. He was caught after security and intelligence agencies decoded encrypted communications. Abdulmalik was chosen for the task due to his clean criminal record, allowing him to legally enter Turkey. 

Related Articles:  

• Islamic State Somalia Remains a Potent Threat in the Horn of Africa and Beyond 
• Daesh suspect planning attack on synagogues, Jewish schools arrested in Istanbul  

Analyst Comments: 

The intended attacks on Jewish schools and synagogues highlight the continued risk to Jewish institutions, particularly in areas with increased security concerns. These locations have historically been prime targets for terrorist organizations, reflecting a long-standing pattern of anti-Semitic violence. 

• FEMA: Planning Considerations: Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks 
• CISA: Complex Coordinated Attacks: Security Awareness for Soft Targets and Crowded Places 

Phishing Attack Exploit CEOs, CTOs, and Top Decision-Makers. 

A recent phishing campaign by Hackmosphere targeted CEOs and CTOs, exposing vulnerabilities among top executives. The campaign used social engineering tactics to craft emails tailored to each groups-CEOs received a service quote request, while CTOs were invited to a tech summit. The results showed CEOs were more susceptible, with 37.5% clicking on malicious links, compared to just 13% of CTOs. The findings highlight the need for stronger cybersecurity measures, including regular training, advanced email filtering systems, and internal phishing simulations. Such attacks can lead to credential theft, malware, and significant organizational damage. 

 Analyst Comments: 

Similar to CEOs, leaders of Houses of Worship can also be high-profile, and threat actors could target them as the attack vector. This underscores the need for specialized cybersecurity training and awareness programs tailored to top-tier management. The phishing campaign’s strategy of creating emails specific to the recipient’s role illustrates how attackers are refining their tactics. Senior leaders are often busy, which can make it easy for them to miss signs of a potential phishing message.  

How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams