Tag: church

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. 

Plan to attack Australia synagogue faked by organized crime: police 

Australian police have revealed that a supposed planned attack on a synagogue this past January in Sydney, involving a caravan of explosives, was a fabrication by an organized crime group. The purpose was to mislead authorities and divert resources. According to Krissy Barret, the Deputy Commissioner for National Security, the supposed attack was never intended to cause mass casualties.  

Analyst Comments: Police have now said the discovery was part of a “criminal con job,” with the ease with which the caravan was found along with the lack of a detonator suggesting there was never any intent to attack Jewish targets. Australia has suffered a spate of antisemitic attacks in recent months, with homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles targeted by vandalism and arson. There is an important lesson that security incidents are not always what they seem, and it is important that even during one response, organizations do not let their guard down for other threats, which whether they are connected or not, can have big impacts as a result of imbalanced resources.  

• Preventing and Countering Organized Crime 
• Strategy to Combat Transitional Organized Crime  

Cisco Security Advisory: Cisco Small Business RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 Routers Vulnerabilities 

Cisco has issued an advisory regarding multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of several Cisco Small Business routers. These vulnerabilities could allow remote attackers to bypass authentication or execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices.  

Cisco will not release software updates to fix these issues and have provided no workarounds. Administrations can mitigate risks by disabling remote management and blocking ports 443 and 60443.  

Analyst Comments: The vulnerabilities are deemed high-risk because they enable remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the router’s management interface or execute arbitrary commands on the device. Since these routers are commonly used in small to medium-sized businesses, the potential consequences could be severe, including unauthorized control over the network, data, theft, or further compromise of the internal network. Exploitation of one of the vulnerabilities is not required to exploit the other vulnerability. In addition, a software release that is affected by one of the vulnerabilities may not be affected by the other vulnerability. Administrators may disable the affected feature as described in the Workarounds section. 

Dramatic video shows neo-Nazi assault on 20-year-old man during hate group’s visit to Nashville 

Dramatic video obtained by NewsChannel 5 shows Canadian neo-Nazi Ryan McCann assaulting a 20-year-old man in Nashville on July 13, 2024. McCann, a member of the Goyim Defense League, and other neo-Nazis taunted the victim, who they suspected to be Jewish, before McCann suddenly elbowed him in the head and kicked him. The victim tried to escape, but McCann chased him around the truck. After the attack, the group celebrated, making offensive remarks and performing Nazi salutes. This video led to new charges against McCann, who was already facing charges from another incident the following day in which he allegedly used his Nazi flagpole to assault a bartended. McCann’s attorney argues that McCann was acting in self-defense, but prosecutors note that McCann and his group chased down the bartended, leading to further charges.  

Analyst Comments: The video underscores a troubling shift from verbal abuse to physical aggression. Groups like the Goyim Defense League frequently incite others with inflammatory rhetoric, which can quickly escalate into real-world violence. This incident serves as a clear example of how hate speech can lead to physical altercations, resulting in serious harm to individuals and society as a whole.  

Safeguarding young people and adults from ideological extremism  

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. 

FBI PSA: Violent Online Networks Target Vulnerable and Underage Populations Across the United States and Around the Globe 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning the public of a sharp increase in the activity of “764” and other violent online networks which operate within the United States and around the globe. These networks methodically target and exploit minors and other vulnerable individuals, and it is imperative the public be made aware of the risk and the warning signs exhibited by victims. These networks use threats, blackmail, and manipulation to coerce or extort victims into producing, sharing, or live-streaming acts of self-harm, animal cruelty, sexually explicit acts, and/or suicide. The footage is then circulated among members of the network to continue to extort victims and exert control over them. 

Analyst Comments: The internet offers easy access to violent content and communities, often hidden behind the layers of anonymity. These networks can be hard to track, with offenders concealing their true identities and tactics. Vulnerable or isolated children and minors are particularly at risk of stumbling upon or being lured into these environments, which can lead to exploitation. The FBI PDF is shared with FB-ISAO members in Slack. Faith-based organizations are encouraged to discuss these threats with their communities to raise awareness, and to contact local authorities for any suspicious activity. 

• CyberTipline 
• Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program 
• National Center For Missing & Exploited Children 

Virginia man found guilty of hate crime for thwarted church shooting plot 

A Virginia man, Rui Jiang, was found guilty of a hate crime and several other charges related to a thwarted church shooting plot in Haymarket, Virginia. In September 2023, Jiang posted online threats indicating his intention to attack a church during Sunday services. He was found armed at the church with a semiautomatic handgun, two loaded magazines, and additional ammunition. Jiang had planned to kill churchgoers, but was apprehended before he could carry out the attack. He faces up to life in prison when sentenced in June 2025.

Analyst Comments: Attacks on places of worship, intended to be sanctuaries of peace and community, highlight serious concerns about safety in these spaces. This incident underscores the importance of implementing strong security measures in churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious institutions. For organizations looking to boost their resilience against potential hostile attacks like the one Jiang attempted, we recommend reviewing the Physical Security Performance Goals for Faith-Based Communities developed in partnership with CISA. 

As always, FB-ISAO’s website has valuable resources at Resource Library – FB-ISAO 

Measles Outbreak SPOTREP #1 

As of February 27, 2025, there have been 164 measles cases across 9 states in the U.S., with Texas reporting the highest number (159 cases by March 4). Many of these cases are in children aged 0-17, and 50% of those affected are unvaccinated. Tragically, one unvaccinated child has died. The CDC has sent Epidemic Intelligence Service officers to Texas to support local health efforts, including educating communities and increasing vaccine availability.  

The outbreak could strain healthcare systems, leading to more hospitalizations and higher vaccine demand, potentially delaying non-measles care. It may also impact the supply chain, with potential delays in vaccine production and a higher need for PPE and infection control supplies. States are urged to monitor the situation, forecast supply needs, and strengthen vaccination efforts and infection control measures.  

Analyst Comments: As the outbreak continues, there is a significant risk of healthcare systems being overwhelmed. Hospitalization rates are likely to rise, putting pressure on both hospital capacity and resources. At the same time, a surge in vaccine demand could create production delays, worsening the situation.  

• Measles 
• Vaccines & Immunizations