Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 28 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.

Droning On: The Response to Use of Drones by Domestic Violent Extremists

An item by Global Network on Extremism and Technology discusses the November 2024 arrest of a suspected neo-Nazi accused of planning to attack the power grid by strapping explosives to a drone. The “… alleged drone plot fits squarely within broader trends in non-state actor use of emerging technologies like drones to potentially target critical infrastructure.”

Related Articles:

• Investigators believe Trump’s would-be assassin flew a drone over rally site on the day of the shooting
• DJI Lifts Geofencing Restrictions: What It Means for the Future of Drones in the U.S.
• Criminal Complaint

Analyst Comments:

While the above item discusses drone usage against critical infrastructure in general, Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) may easily become the target of lone actors using drones. Drones can be used for reconnaissance in planning an attack and in actual attacks. Security guidance and the DAP regularly recommend that security should begin at the parking lot and outer perimeter. With increased drone usage by bad actors, the sky should now be an area to consider in security planning and procedures. FBOs actions may be limited to observing drones used for reconnaissance, then reporting this potential lead up of an attack to local law enforcement.

CISA Be Air Aware website suggests the following actions that can be taken in defense of drone reconnaissance or an attack.

• Incorporate UAS Threats into Risk Assessments
• Use “No Drone Zone” Signs
• Incorporate UAS Into Emergency Response Plans
• Establish Render Safe Procedures
• Train Employees to Recognize UAS Activity
• Conduct Exercises
• Spread the Word
• Connect with CISA Security Advisors
• Utilize Detection, Tracking, and Identification Technologies
• Request a Temporary Flight Restriction

The Be Air Aware website also has links to other drone related resources.

White House pauses federal grant, loan other assistance programs

Reuters reports:

The Trump administration has temporarily paused grant, loan and other financial assistance programs at the Office of Management and Budget, according to a memo seen by Reuters, prompting criticism from congressional Democrats.

The memo referenced the executive orders, including those seeking to dismantle programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), President Donald Trump has signed since taking office last week.

“In the interim, to the extent permissible under applicable law, federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be impacted by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal,” Matthew J. Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote in the memo.

The suspension goes into effect on Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. eastern time (2200 GMT), according to the memo.

Top Democratic congressional budget appropriation lawmakers responded to reports of the memo by sending a letter demanding the OMB reverse its decision.

Related Items:

• Trump freezes federal grant payments in surprise move
• Democrats question legality of Trump freeze on federal grants
• Read the memo here, via Axios.
• Democratic congressional budget appropriation lawmakers letter to OMB

CISA Event Reminder

The 13 January 2025 Daily Awareness Post highlighted CISA’s Assessing and Responding to Anonymous Threats in K-12 Schools virtual training.

The discussion will explore anonymous threat trends affecting K-12 schools, the criticality of early awareness and deterrence of future threats, key partners in addressing threats, and appropriate response actions that schools and local law enforcement partners can take when threats are received.

• When: January 30, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST
• Where: Microsoft Teams Live (access link to be provided to registrants one day in advance of the event)

A “Reserve a spot” link is on the right side of the website.