The Church Safety and Security Threat Assessment Tool

Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship Security Guide

In the Houses of Worship Security Guide, CISA analyzed ten years of targeted attacks on houses of worship to provide context to the enterprise-wide security recommendations outlined in the previous chapters. The case studies reviewed are examples of the breadth of threats a house of worship faces daily. From physical attacks such as active shooter incidents, arsons, or bombings to less visible cyberattacks, a house of worship should be vigilant in its security practices. 

Drawing the Line on Danger

Churches, by their nature, have an "open door" policy during worship services, so anyone willing to worship God and hear the good news of the gospel of Christ will be welcomed. But some who come to church may have different agendas.

The Role of Ushers (And Others in Ministries)

Greeters, ushers, ministers, teachers, and staff all share responsibility for the safety and security of the congregation. They are all on the front line of engaging with people that are coming to our churches.

Active Shooter Workshop Participant

What can you do?  How can you respond? What about the victims?  The answers to these questions and more can be found using the Active Shooter Workshop information presented by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.

Faith Based Organizations – Houses of Worship

As citizens of all faiths come together to worship, engage in religious and social gatherings, and participate in community events safety and security should always be a part of the planning process. This page offers focused resources and tools designed to improve FBO-HOW safety and security.

DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives

The Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (DHS Center) fosters partnerships between government and faith and community-based organizations to increase the nation’s resilience by creating trust, developing relationships, and sealing handshakes.

Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship Security Guide

On October 27, 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the InfraGard National Capital Region held a Faith-Based Security and Safety Symposium webinar to discuss best practices and risk mitigation strategies for protecting houses of worship amid the COVID-19 pandemic.