Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 27 March 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.

Passover Event Security Guidance & Best Practices

New York’s Community Security Initiative has released a guidance document that highlights increased security risks for Jewish communities during Passover, noting recent global incidents such as the Iran War and ongoing extremist threats. As Jewish communities prepare for Passover, this document recommends avoiding outdoor events, coordinating with local law enforcement, and quickly reporting suspicious activity, among other recommendations. Read the full mailing for all security recommendations.

Analyst Comments: Members preparing for Passover are encouraged to look through the document and consider the security guidance within. Of special importance is the recommendation to designate a specific security person within the organization, as it can be useful to have a single point of contact when planning a House of Worship’s approach to events. While many organizations’ profiles do not require full-time security personnel, for periods of religious significance, it can be useful to have someone act temporarily in this regard.

A major hacking tool has leaked online, putting millions of iPhones at risk. Here’s what you need to know.

A recent TechCrunch report describes the public leak of “Coruna” and “DarkSword,” sophisticated iPhone hacking toolkits previously associated with targeted spyware utilized by governments and cybercriminals. The tool exploits iOS vulnerabilities—especially on outdated or unpatched devices—allowing attackers to access sensitive data like messages and photos. Although Apple has patched many of these flaws and introduced protections such as Lockdown Mode, many devices remain exposed due to delayed updates, prompting experts to urge users to install the latest software and stay vigilant against suspicious activity.

Analyst Comments: It is not unusual for previously exclusive apps utilized for cybercrime to be suddenly leaked online, such as the Mirai botnet or Conti ransomware. While the motivations for doing so vary, the takeaway for members is that, in the wake of such leaks, it’s highly likely the probability for attacks utilizing this source code will increase as less-resourced cybercriminals and hobbyists experiment with it. Members should consider maintaining heightened awareness in the short term for a surge in iOS hacking attempts and update their iOS devices accordingly.

FB-ISAO Education Series: Building an Intelligence Team for your House of Worship

April 1, 2026, 12:00 PM ET: Session 4 will explore the sources and methods of local intelligence collection and analysis.

About the series. “Intelligence” often conjures images of secret agents working in the shadows to protect national security.  Intelligence isn’t just for government agents, with a little guidance, anyone can do it! Intelligence involves a systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and using information to anticipate, detect, and prevent threats before they cause harm. This process helps decision makers weigh alternatives and make threat-informed, fact-based choices via enhanced situational awareness. By leveraging intelligence, houses of worship can enhance their overall safety and security, ensuring their spaces remain welcoming sanctuaries for worship – yet prepared for potential incidents.