tree of life synagogue

Homeland Security Committee Meets to Discuss Prevention of Violence Against Religious Organizations

In Jackson, Mississippi, the acting DHS secretary met with religious leaders and lawmakers to discuss ways that the department is acting to protect faith institutions targeted for violence.

The acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security visited Jackson, Mississippi last week as part of the agency’s campaign to fight violence targeting faith-based communities. 


At the first public meeting of a DHS subcommittee dedicated to preventing targeted violence of faith centers, Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan said the administration and other politicians must address the recent mass shooting in El Paso with “moral clarity,” adding: “It is hate, it is domestic terrorism, and it must be resisted together by Americans of all races, ethnicities and faiths.” 


“I am concerned about the white supremacy and the extreme increases and the growing attacks, especially the ones we have seen on the houses of worship,” McAleenan said. “I absolutely agree it is a problem and we need to work to address it.”


The Subcommittee for Prevention of Targeted Violence Against Faith-Based Communities, announced in July as part of the department’s advisory council, includes professors, law enforcement officers and religious leaders representing Muslim, Jewish, Mormon, Sikh and Christian communities. In the wake of attacks on houses of worship, more religious organizations are training congregants to handle weapons and protect community members from violence. 


Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat who chairs the Homeland Security Committee in the House, said that houses of worship are intended to be safe havens for communities. 


“Unfortunately, those of us here from Mississippi and the South know too well the horror that shakes a community when a house of worship is attacked,” Thompson said, referencing shootings at synagogues, churches and Sikh temples that were motivated by hate. “It’s a sad fact that our houses of worship are living under threats of violence at the hands of extremist terrorists of all ideologies.” 


Though McAleenan acknowledged that the FBI is the main government agency tasked with investigating domestic terrorism, he said his department is moving “aggressively” to handle the threat through more stringent threat analyses and better intelligence gathering practices. 


“Over the last two years, the DHS intelligence and analysis directorate has increased its strategic and tactical reporting on domestic terrorism by over 150 percent,” McAleenan told the panel. 


One of his first moves when entering his acting role was to establish the Office of Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention to better coordinate the department’s strategy to fight domestic terrorism, McAleenan said. The subcommittee, which is due to release its initial report in September, is also part of his efforts to improve the department’s response and prevention efforts.


“I’m confident that the work of this subcommittee will help DHS secure and promote the resiliency of houses of worship as well as help identify areas where we can expand and refine our domestic terrorism prevention and protection efforts for the benefit of all Americans,” he said. 


Thompson, alongside religious leaders at the forum, urged law enforcement and the department to take action now to keep religious centers and communities safe. 


“While we need to work to eradicate all forms of extremism, these at-risk faith-based centers and nonprofits need the protection in the short term,” Thompson said. 


Featured

  • Survey: CISOs Increasing Budgets for Crisis Simulations in 2025

    Today, Cyber Performance Center, Hack The Box, released new data showcasing the perspectives of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) towards cyber preparedness in 2025. In the aftermath of 2024’s high-profile cybersecurity incidents, including NHS, CrowdStrike, TfL, 23andMe, and Cencora, CISOs are reassessing their organization’s readiness to manage a potential “chaos” of a full-scale cyber crisis. Read Now

  • Human Risk Management: A Silver Bullet for Effective Security Awareness Training

    You would think in a world where cybersecurity breaches are frequently in the news, that it wouldn’t require much to convince CEOs and C-suite leaders of the value and importance of security awareness training (SAT). Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Read Now

  • Windsor Port Authority Strengthens U.S.-Canada Border Waterway Safety, Security

    Windsor Port Authority, one of just 17 national ports created by the 1999 Canada Marine Act, has enhanced waterway safety and security across its jurisdiction on the U.S.-Canada border with state-of-the-art cameras from Axis Communications. These cameras, combined with radar solutions from Accipiter Radar Technologies Inc., provide the port with the visibility needed to prevent collisions, better detect illegal activity, and save lives along the river. Read Now

  • Survey: 84 Percent of Healthcare Organizations Spotted Cyberattack in Last 12 Months

    Netwrix, a vendor specializing in cybersecurity solutions focused on data and identity threats, surveyed 1,309 IT and security professionals globally and recently released findings for the healthcare sector based on the data collected. It reveals that 84% of organizations in the healthcare sector spotted a cyberattack on their infrastructure within the last 12 months. Phishing was the most common type of incident experienced on premises, similar to other industries. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3