Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 29 August 2024

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.

European terror attacks alarm US intelligence, NYPD briefing shows

ABC News reports:

United States intelligence and police officials are alarmed by two unrelated terror attacks in Europe last weekend and what those attacks say about the current threat environment in the U.S., according to a New York Police Department briefing obtained by ABC News.

“There is no initial indication that the two attacks are linked, however, both incidents underscore the current complex and elevated terrorism/targeted violence threat environment as well as the persistent challenge of low-tech tactics being used against vulnerable targets, including public gatherings and houses of worship,” the briefing said.

The attacks cited in the report include a deadly stabbing in Germany and an arson attack on a synagogue in France.

Analyst Comments:

The New York Police Department briefing indicates the need for maintaining vigilance. Faith-Based Organizations should consider reviewing and possibly improving their security posture.

As security improves at many facilities, potential attackers may look for vulnerable targets with less security. The briefing cites “public gatherings and houses of worship”.

The briefing also cites “low tech tactics”, which can include Fire as a Weapon and edged weapon attacks. While active shooters are a serious threat, they are not the only threat that should be considered.

FB-ISAO’s 17 May 2024 Daily Awareness Post provided resources and protective-measure suggestions for protecting against Fire as a Weapon, arson fires, and accidental fires.

CISA’s Physical Security Performance Goals for Faith-Based Communities is a good resource for Faith-Based Organizations to evaluate their facility’s physical security. The document also provides guidance and tools to improve security.

Multiple resources can be found at CISA’s Protecting Houses of Worship website.

Additionally, Faith-Based ISAO’s website provides resources in the Resource Library, including information on Securing Facilities and People and Informing Preparedness Activities.

Pa. church member accused of stealing $225K from congregation

The Christian Post reports:

A longtime member of a Pennsylvania church has been accused of stealing approximately $225,000 from the house of worship over the course of several years.

William Reed, a 73-year-old who had worked at St. John Lutheran Church of Carnegie for 14 years, was recently arrested and charged by Allegheny County police, reported WPXI-TV Pittsburgh on Monday.

According to the criminal complaint, police say church board members had noticed small accounting issues over the years while Reed worked as the church’s treasurer.

Analyst Comments:

It is sad, but embezzlement continues to be an insider threat to Faith-Based Organizations. On 31 July 2024, FB-ISAO members received a Weekly Advisory which explored EMBEZZLEMENT STRIKES FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. The Weekly Advisory provided considerations for reducing the risk of embezzlement.

Weekly Security Sprint EP 79. European events; the importance of information sharing; and are we resilient?

The Gate 15 Security Sprint is a weekly rundown of the week’s notable all-hazards security news, risks and threats and some of the key focus areas for organizations to consider behind the headlines. Gate 15 team members discuss physical security, cybersecurity, natural hazards, health threats and other issues across our environment.

On this week’s Security Sprint, Dave and Andy covered the following topics:

• CISA: Shaping the legacy of partnership between government and private sector globally: JCDC
• International Security Incidents:
• Forgotten radios and missed warnings: New details emerge about communication failures before Trump rally shooting.
• Invest in Resilience! Cyber Resilience Overestimation Leads to Business Continuity Issues, Ransom Payments

The above Gate 15 Weekly Security Sprint website also provides links to many security-related items of interest.

Information on other Gate 15 podcasts can be found at Podcasts (gate15.global).