A course designed to equip community members with the knowledge and skills to observe and evaluate suspicious behaviors, empowering them to mitigate potential risk by knowing when to seek additional help.
The Power of Hello is a 60- to 120-minute training program based on the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Power of Hello initiative.
The goal of this course is to empower community members with the knowledge and skills to recognize, assess, and respond to potential security threats.
Through awareness, discerning observation, intentional engagement, and effective communication with others, participants will help create a welcoming yet secure environment.
This course is designed for all members of the community.
Used effectively, the right words can be a powerful tool. Simply saying ‘hello’ can prompt a conversation with unknown individuals and help you determine why they are there.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Topics Covered:
How to recognize suspicious behavior
How to apply the Power of Hello approach
When to seek additional help
Effective communication strategies
Appropriate responses to potential threats
Why was this course developed?
Jewish communities across North America face an increasing threat from acts of antisemitic violence, harassment, and intimidation. Religious institutions, community centers, and schools have become targets of hate crimes and domestic extremism, necessitating heightened security measures. However, security concerns often exist in tension with the need to maintain an open and welcoming atmosphere that aligns with Jewish values of hospitality and community.
Many individuals within Jewish communities—congregants, staff, and community members—lack the necessary training to recognize early indicators of suspicious behavior or potential threats. This gap in awareness can leave communities vulnerable to attacks, particularly in spaces where law enforcement presence is limited, or response times may be delayed. Traditional security measures, such as armed guards and surveillance systems, are critical but insufficient on their own without a proactive approach to threat recognition and de-escalation.
The Power of Hello program, developed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), addresses this challenge by empowering individuals with the skills to identify and respond to potential security threats before they escalate. Through a simple yet effective approach—engaging with unfamiliar individuals in a non-confrontational manner—the program helps Jewish communities maintain a balance between vigilance and inclusivity. By fostering a culture of awareness, early intervention, and responsible reporting, the Power of Hello enhances the overall security of Jewish institutions while preserving their open and welcoming nature.
How was this course developed?
The Power of Hello is a standardized campaign created by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security.
Based on this program, this course was designed by a team of national professionals with critical real-world experience and deep instructional-design backgrounds, from training and preparing thousands of members of the Jewish community as well as law enforcement to responding to critical incidents both in the United States and abroad. The design, development and piloting process involved engagement with key partners, including law enforcement, stakeholders, and community members.
Instructional materials include official CISA resources such as handouts, placemats, and other collateral, all publicly available through the CISA website.
