All Sectors Bulletin
Personal Security Guidance

Overview

In today's world, personal security is more important than ever. This brochure provides practical steps to help you protect yourself, your family, and your property by strengthening security at home, at work, online, and while traveling.

Your personal safety involves general recognition and avoidance of potential harmful situations or people in your surroundings.  The core principles of personal safety are awareness, assessment, and action, often called the 3 A's.  Remembering the 3A's and adopting safety practices will reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.  To be aware means knowing who and what is around you.  Pay attention to your surroundings.  Assess the situation by evaluating the people around you in relation to your environment.  Identify risks and look for escape routes.  Trust your instincts, if something doesn't feel right, leave.  If action is necessary yell or scream loudly, use your instincts to fight back if you can't get away.  

The FBI publishes an annual crime report that notes overall violent crime across the country decreased by 4.5% in 2024 compared to 2023.  Property and violent crime rates in Virginia are relatively low; however, these rates vary dramatically by location.  Virginia is ranked 37th and 31st nationally for reported violent crimes and property crimes respectively.  The 2025 report is yet to be released. 

Reporting Suspicious Activity:

Immediately report any threats, explicit demands, or swatting incidents to the Virginia Fusion Center or (877) 4VA-TIPS and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.




Resources/Articles:

General Personal Safety Resources:

FEMA Ready.gov: Home Safety Tips

FEMA Ready.gov: Safety Skills Including First Aid and CPR

National Safety Council: Safety is Personal Campaign

UW Medicine: 6 Self-Defense Tips to Stay Safe

AARP: Home Safety Tips and Tools

FBI.gov: 2024 Reported Crimes In The Nation Statistics
DHS.gov: FPS Personal Safety & Security Series
Safety Tips: Additional Personal Safety Tips
Stunster.com: The 3A's Of Personal Safety: Awareness, Assessment, And Action
NRA Women: Personal Safety And Responsibility Through The Eyes Of A LEO Family
KATU.com: Personal Safety Tips Every Woman Should Know
National Crime Prevention Council: Personal Safety Tips
RAINN.org: National Sexual Assault Hotline and Resources

Cybersecurity Online Privacy/Safety:
VFC Shield - 764 Overview and Assessment 
Wireless Safety: Suggestions on Securing Your Wireless Connection
Federal Trade Commission: Online Privacy & Security
CISA.gov: Personal Security Considerations Action Guide
CISA.gov: Secure Our World - Cybersecurity Best Practices
CISA.gov: Cybersecurity Best Practices
IBM.com: The 2026 Guide to Cybersecurity
CyberGuy.com: 10 Simple Cybersecurity Resolutions for a Safer 2026
Techtimes.com: Protect Kids From AI Scams: A Guide To Children's Online Safety And Kids Personal Data Privacy
ed.gov: Personal Safety For Children - A Guide For Parents

Senior and Vulnerable Groups Safety:
The National Council on Aging: How Older Adults Can Improve Their Personal Cyber Security

National Cybersecurity Alliance: Online Safety Tips For Older Adults

Federal Trade Commission: Scams Against Older Adults

Federal Bureau of Investigation: Elder Fraud

ConnectSafely: The Senior's Guide to Online Safety

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: Cybersecurity and Older Americans

Washington State Attorney General: Internet Safety for Seniors

AARP/OATS from AARP: Online Safety for Older Adults: Browsing the Internet Confidently

AI Scams and Emerging Threats:
AutoGPT.net: How to Protect Yourself from AI Scams in 2026
CanIPhish.com: The 7 Most Popular AI Scams In 2026

Travel and Emergency Preparedness:
Department of State: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Ready.gov: Plan Ahead for Disasters
Ready.gov: Make a Plan
FEMA.gov: FEMA Mobile App
Travel.State.gov: International Travel Guidance
Travel.State.gov: Travel Advisories
Virginia Department of Emergency Management: Emergency Preparedness Resources