Protecting Houses of Worship From Targeted Violence

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is offering “Protecting Places of Worship: Six Steps To Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence PDF,” a resource for faith-based communities and houses of worship.

This 2-page fact sheet outlines 6 steps that faith-based organizations and community leaders can take to increase their facility security and preparedness from an active shooter or other hostile event:

1. Understand the Risk
2. Understand Your Space
3. Develop and Practice a Plan
4. Inform and Educate Greeters
5. Pursue Grants
6. Report Hate Crimes and Other Incidents

The fact sheet also serves as a reference with links to numerous resources and programs across the DHS and the Department of Justice tailored to faith-based organizations to help them report targeted violence, protect themselves and their facilities, obtain grant funding or technical assistance, and stay informed. For example, there is a link to an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) template for an active shooter event PDF that faith-based organizations can use to develop their own EAP.

For more resources on effective safety and security programs for faith-based organizations, visit CISA’s Protecting Houses of Worship.