Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 23 June 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. 

DHS NTAS Bulletin, 22 Jun 2025

The ongoing Iran conflict is contributing to a heightened threat environment in the U.S. Pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely to carry out low-level cyberattacks, and government-linked Iranian cyber actors may also target U.S. networks. Iran remains committed to retaliating against U.S. officials. The risk of domestic violent extremism may grow especially if Iranian leaders issue a religious directive encouraging attacks in the U.S. Recent acts of terrorism in the Homeland linked to anti-Sematic and anti-Israel views suggest that the conflict could further inspire attacks by U.S. based individuals.

Analyst Comments: To prepare for potential threats stemming from the Iran conflict, U.S. organizations should enhance cyber vigilance and reinforce network defenses. It is important to patch unknown vulnerabilities, monitor for unusual activities, and back up critical systems. Government agencies and high-profile individuals should increase personal security awareness. Communities that may be vulnerable to hate-based violence like the Jewish and Israeli institutions should coordinate with local law enforcement, review emergency plans, and ensure security protocols.

Resources to Stay Safe:

• DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offers cybersecurity best practices for securing US networks.
• The Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative (NSI) is a collaborative effort by DHS, the FBI, and law enforcement partners to identify and report threats of terrorism and other related criminal activity.
• If You See Something, Say Something® Report suspicious activity and threats of violence, including online threats, to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or your local Fusion Center. Call 911 in case of emergency.

US Department of State: Worldwide Caution

Following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the U.S. Department of State issued a Worldwide Caution alert urging Americans to exercise increased vigilance abroad due to heightened threats of terrorism and anti-U.S. demonstrations. The advisory encourages travelers to avoid large gatherings, monitor local news, and register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real-time embassy alerts.

Iran’s response has been sharply confrontational, with state media vowing retaliation. Leadership and affiliated outlets declared, “You started it, we will end it,” and stating “Now the war has begun for us” suggesting broader regional escalation. U.S. agencies like the FBI have heightened surveillance and reinforced overseas diplomatic security, with border and port security reevaluating potential Iranian sleeper cell threats. Jewish organizations praised the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure but acknowledged the increased risk for Jewish and American institutions worldwide stating “we are actively coordinating with partners across government and civil society to ensure our communities remain vigilant, prepared, and protected at this critical time”. With tensions peaking, the U.S. is advising travels to carefully review destination-specific advisories.

Analyst Comments: The current Worldwide Caution advisory reflects not just regional fallout but the broader strategic risk landscape facing U.S. citizens. Faith-based organizations particularly those with visible American, Israeli, or Jewish affiliations should treat this escalation as a serious security inflection point. These organizations may face elevated threat levels due to symbolic and ideological targeting patterns. It is critical for leadership in these communities to review their security protocols, engage in information sharing with local law enforcement and community security networks, and ensure all staff and congregants are briefed on situational awareness and emergency procedures.

In this climate, faith-based institutions should:

• Revisit and rehearse lockdown and evacuation plans.
• Coordinate with local police or contracted security for visible presence during services or events.
• Monitor DHS and FBI for evolving threat intelligence. Members are encouraged to join FB-ISAO and the National Council of ISACs Slack Workspaces for ongoing alerts and updates from the community in regards to the threat.

Even if an institution is not directly as risk, the cascading effort of global unrest like cyberattacks, harassment, or protest activity can impact operations.

Police say a man opened fire outside a church before staff fatally shot him, averting mass shooting

On June 22^nd, a potentially deadly mass shooting was averted at CrossPointe Church in Michigan, after a security guard fatally shot an armed gunman who tried to enter the sanctuary during Sunday service. The attacker, identified as 31-year-old who attended the church with his mother was shot and hit by a vehicle on scene. Authorities say the suspect was driving recklessly, exited his car wearing a tactical vest and carried a rifle and a handgun. His motive remains under investigation, but due to the swift action of the security guardand fellow churchgoers, they likely prevented a mass casualty event.

Analyst Comments: The Crosspointe Church incident underscores the critical importance of having a trained, alert security team in place to protect congregants during worship services. Houses of worship are encouraged to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of their communities. Establishing a security team begins with identifying individuals who are willing to be trained in situational awareness, emergency response, and conflict de-escalation. Collaboration with local law enforcement is essential; they can provide guidance on threat assessments, legal considerations, and training resources, including active shooter drills. A comprehensive security plan should include clear roles and responsibilities, communication protocols, surveillance strategies, and emergency medical response. Additionally, places of worship can benefit from conducting regular walkthroughs and drills and educate congregants on basic safety measures such as exit routes and how to respond during a threat.

Resources:

• Everything You Must Know About Church Security – A Comprehensive Guide
• Church Security Guide
• Emergency Response Plan
• Securing Facilities and People
• Resilience Exercises