In response to the rise of attacks on houses of worship in the U.S. and around the world, ASIS International, the world’s largest membership association for security management professionals, is providing a suite of free resources to help support those responsible for protecting these vital community institutions.

Houses of worship have always had special security concerns, as they are uniquely vulnerable open environments, but recent trends are deeply concerning. According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, “the country has seen unacceptable and escalating threats and actual harassment directed at faith-based communities.” Around the globe there have been dozens of targeted attacks, planned attacks or vandalism involving houses of worship in Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Greece, Germany, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Kenya, the Philippines, Turkey, Uganda, Yemen, and more.