Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 22 January 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.

Statement from a DHS Spokesperson on Directives Expanding Law Enforcement and Ending the Abuse of Humanitarian Parole

From the DHS Press Release:

The first directive rescinds the Biden Administration’s guidelines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement actions that thwart law enforcement in or near so-called “sensitive” areas. The second directive ends the broad abuse of humanitarian parole and returns the program to a case-by-case basis. ICE and CBP will phase out any parole programs that are not in accordance with the law. The following statement is attributable to a DHS Spokesperson:

 “This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens—including murders and rapists—who have illegally come into our country. Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”

Related Article:

• Trump administration throws out policies limiting migrant arrests at sensitive spots like churches

Analyst Comments:

For affected Faith-Based Organization, this new policy, could create situations that place pressure on existing measures. It is a best practice to seek appropriate guidance from an attorney to develop updated measures.

Virus season roars back with “quad-demic” of illness

Axios reports:

The spread of influenza A, COVID and RSV is “high” or “very high” across much of the U.S. at the same time norovirus cases are well above normal levels, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and wastewater surveillance data shows… The result is “quad-demic” of illness hitting simultaneously in what’s shaping up to be a more active virus season than last year… The simultaneous threats are straining some hospitals to capacity and leading administrators to recommend masking among staff, ABC News reports.

Related CDC Article:

• First H5 Bird Flu Death Reported in United States

Analyst Comments:

The “quad-demic” could have an effect on Communities of Faith. Faith-Based Organizations should consider reviewing U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for safeguarding members against illness.

CDC guidance includes:

• Preventing Seasonal Flu
• Best Remedy for COVID-19 Is Prevention

AIHA provides:

• Defending Against Health Risks In Religious Settings

Ransomware gangs pose as IT support in Microsoft Teams phishing attacks

BLEEPING COMPUTER reports:

Ransomware gangs are increasingly adopting email bombing followed by posing as tech support in Microsoft Teams calls to trick employees into allowing remote control and install malware that provides access to the company network.

The threat actors are sending thousands of spam messages over a short period and then call the target from an adversary-controlled Office 365 instance pretending to provide IT support.

Analyst Comments:

A phishing email followed by a phone call can be more convincing. The target can be further tricked by way of this attack method. Awareness is key and so sharing information about such tactics can help avert a possible successful phishing attempt. 

FBOs should also consider reviewing their organization’s basic cyber hygiene and ensure they are adhering to some of the recommended CISA Cyber Essentials.

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security also provides a wide variety of cybersecurity resources.