Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 4 August 2025

Faith-Based Security Headlines

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.

Data Leaked: First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta

A data breach occurred at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta on August 1^st. The threat actor INC_Ransom targets network devices via spear-phishing scams and exploiting vulnerabilities to gain a foothold on enterprise networks.

Analyst Comments: Faith-based organizations can be targeted in ransomware attack’s due to their often-limited cybersecurity budgets, high volumes of sensitive personal and financial data. It is important for faith-based organizations to implement basic cyber hygiene practices, conduct regular staff training on phishing awareness, and establish secure backup and incident response procedures to improve their resilience.

Resources: How Can I protect Against Ransomware?

#StopRansomware Guide

Iran hiring criminal networks in Europe to attack Jews, US religious freedom report finds

A U.S. religious freedom report has revealed that Iranian authorities are actively recruiting criminal networks across Europe to orchestrate attacks on Israeli embassies and Jewish sites, raising alarm among Jewish communities and policymakers. According to the Jerusalem Post, this coordinated effort by Iran points to a disturbing escalation in state-sponsored antisemitism beyond its borders. The report emphasizes that these plots are not isolated actions but part of a systemic strategy to target Jewish institutions in multiple European countries.

Analyst Comments: This article shows the severity of the threat, warning that diplomatic missions and symbols of Jewish identity are increasingly vulnerable to orchestrated violence. Jewish organizations, as well as individuals are encouraged to be more vigilant given this report. Faith-based organizations that may have plans to travel abroad or have regular operations in Europe should consider these updates as they develop threat assessments.

‘Horrendous, evil, wicked’ shooting outside Seattle church caught on camera

In a tragic incident a new member of The Pursuit NW’s Seattle church campus was fatally shot outside a young-adult worship gathering held during a barbecue. Surveillance shows a gunman stepping out of a while vehicle, firing several shots, then fleeing in the same care. The pastor described the attack as a daylight “assassination” calling it “horrendous, evil, wicked” and “the worst day in his public ministry”. Local authorities say the shooting appears targeted and ongoing investigations continue.

Analyst Comments: This targeted shooting that occurred outside of a church shows the evolving threats that faith-based organizations face. While this specific case appears to be targeted and possibly personal, the implications fall for the wider faith-based community.

Recommendations for faith-based organizations:

Situational awareness & surveillance
Trained volunteer security teams
Access control & event screening
Communication with local law enforcement
Crisis communication plans

Explosives Sweeps Guide from CISA’s Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP)

Created in coordination with the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Joint Program Office for Countering Improvised Explosive Devices, the guide reflects direct input from leaders across the public safety bomb squad, explosive detection canine, and special event security communities.

The guide highlights best practices for the use of explosives detection canine teams in concert with public safety bomb response teams to increase security and minimize disruption of special events. It offers planning models that venue owners and operators can use to improve security against potential explosives threats. It includes operational concepts developed and tested by public safety and private security partners at large-scale security events.

It is designed to help: