Virginia Fusion Center
“Awareness Through Information Sharing”
VFC Shield was established to increase community awareness of criminal and terrorism trends and incidents within the Commonwealth, United States and across the world. The VFC Shield motto is “awareness through information sharing”. Information sharing increases preparedness, mitigation and prevention efforts which makes our communities safer. In addition, VFC Shield connects members with available resources and sector specific content.
The VFC Shield program is intended for both the public and private sectors, as well as civic & local community groups.
VFC Shield is a completely FREE outreach program.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Once signed up, members can expect to receive regular emails from VFC Shield. Email communications will generally fall into one of three categories All Sector Bulletins, Alert Follow-ups and Sector Specific Bulletins.
All information made available through the VFC Shield program is unclassified and is derived through open sources. Redistribution is highly encouraged.
All Sectors Bulletins Example
Alerts are timely SMS based notifications of a significant security or terrorism related event within United States. There are often multiple messages for each incident, as information becomes available and situations evolve.
Below is an example of what an Alert message would look like.
ScamAware Example
FaithAware Example
Shield Products and Offerings
- All Sectors Bulletins
- FirstAware
- ScamAware
- CyberAware
- FaithAware
- HealthAware
- AcademicAware
- CTAware
- CIAware
- CommunityAware
All Sectors Bulletins
Open-Source information pertaining to all VFC Sheid Sectors. It is recommended that all VFC Shield members sign up for this list.
Frequency of mailing – As Needed
FirstAware
Emergency Services related open-source email bulletins specific to First Responders. These products include crime trends and highlights, suspicious activity reporting information/success stories, and other emergency services related Shield content.
Frequency of mailing – Bi-Monthly
ScamAware
This mailing will highlight active scams, trends and resources to help our subscribers stay safe.
Frequency of mailing – Bi-Monthly
CyberAware
Cyber related open-source email bulletins pertain to cyber related crimes, trends, emerging technologies and other cyber-related Shield content.
Frequency of mailing – Bi-Monthly
FaithAware
Faith-based open-source email bulletin products specific to faith-based leaders and participants. These open source products include active shooter information, behavioral threat products, violence and criminal trends against the religious community and other Shield related content geared towards protecting houses of worship.
Frequency of mailing – Bi-Monthly
HealthAware
Healthcare related open-source email bulletins geared towards issues relevant to healthcare professionals. These products will include information regarding security of facilities and active shooter readiness, pandemic and infectious disease information, bio-terrorism trends, and news and other healthcare related Shield content.
Frequency of mailing – Quarterly
AcademicAware
Education related open-source email bulletins pertaining specially to the education sector. Products include school security information, active shooter products and other Shield content specific for education sector partners.
Frequency of mailing – Quarterly
CTAware
This newsletter aims to keep our Shield subscribers aware of incidents, articles, trends, training and resources related to counterterrorism. As with all Shield offerings, products will be completely open-source and free to redistribute.
Frequency of mailing – Monthly
CIAware
CI (critical infrastructure) is considered a high value target by our adversaries. CIAware keeps our shield subscribers up to date on incidents, articles, breaches, resources and training related to our nation’s critical infrastructure.
Frequency of mailing – Monthly
CommunityAware (COMING SOON)
CommunityAware is our offering specific for community and neighborhood organizations, business owners and employees, and other general community related content. This offering will be a complete document with resources, incidents/articles of note, and other helpful, relevant information.
Frequency of mailing – Monthly
Who is eligible to join VFC SHIELD?
Although VFC Shield is open to all, there are specific groups and sectors which may find the program particularly beneficial. This includes both the public and private sectors, as well as community organizations.
- First Responder and Emergency Services
- Faith-Based Community Members
- Cyber Professionals
- Healthcare Professionals
- Education Professionals
- Security and Critical Infrastructure Sector
- Military Members
- Business Owners
- Any community member who wishes to be well informed.
