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House of worship security consulting for synagogues, churches and faith-based organizations
Battle Tested Solutions provides house of worship security consulting to synagogues, churches and faith-based organizations across the United States, so they stay welcoming and still be ready. Greg Schneider, CPP, is the International Security Advisor for Chabad International.
Greg Schneider, CPPFounder, Battle Tested Solutions. Certified Protection Professional since 2007
Request a house of worship assessment Take the self-assessment first
Why houses of worship need a different security plan
A house of worship is built to welcome strangers. Services draw crowds at predictable times, holidays bring visitors nobody recognizes, and much of the security work falls to volunteers. A plan written for an office building does not fit.
Greg Schneider builds plans around how your community actually gathers: who greets people at the door, where children are during services, how the building empties in an emergency, and when to call the police.
Greg brings 25 years of security work, from the Israel Defense Forces to New York City. Read Greg Schneider's background. The same questions appear in the standalone self-assessment page you can share with your board.
What the assessment covers
- Research into past and current threats toward your site
- Grounds, parking, lighting and the approach to every entrance
- Doors, locks, cameras and the greeters, ushers and volunteer team who control access during services
- Children's areas, schools and after-hours events
- Lockdown, evacuation and reunification procedures
- Your relationship with local police and first responders
Three steps from first call to a trained team
Call with your leadership
Greg learns how your community uses the building and what concerns you most.
Vulnerability assessment
A walk-through of the building and grounds, with a review of your current procedures.
Plan and training
A prioritized written report, then training for your staff and volunteer team.
Nonprofit Security Grant Program support
FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program funds physical security improvements for nonprofits, and houses of worship are a priority. Every application needs a vulnerability assessment for the specific site requesting funds.
The FY2026 federal deadline was July 24, 2026, and many states set earlier internal deadlines. Starting the assessment months ahead gives your grant writer what they need.
Before the next grant cycle
Book the vulnerability assessment early, gather quotes for the improvements it recommends, and confirm your state's internal deadline.
Ask Greg about timing for your site or book a free 15-minute call.
Free High Holy Days security checklist
Greg's two page checklist for congregations planning High Holy Days services: site selection, access control, security policies and procedures, and more.
Free house of worship security self-assessment
Answer 12 questions about your building in about 5 minutes and see your score and the three gaps to close first.
Close these gaps first
Want the full written report and a call with Greg about your results?
Federal grant funding for house of worship security
Synagogues, churches and other nonprofits can apply for FEMA Nonprofit Security Grants to pay for security upgrades. CISA adds free guidance for faith-based organizations. Greg has helped over 20 nonprofits win over $3,000,000.
Check your readiness with the grant readiness checklist, and see how Greg does the Nonprofit Security Grant assessment each application needs.
House of worship security questions
Do we need armed security?
That depends on your building, your community and your risk. The assessment looks at the whole picture first: access, people, procedures and police response. Armed security is one option among several, not the starting point.
Can volunteers really run our security team?
Yes, if they are organized and trained. Much of the work is watching, greeting and knowing the plan. Greg trains volunteer teams on roles, situational awareness and what to do when something goes wrong.
How does the assessment help with a grant application?
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program requires a vulnerability assessment of the site requesting funds. A clear, prioritized assessment explains why each security project is needed.
Do you travel outside California?
Yes. Greg Schneider conducts on-site house of worship security assessments anywhere in the United States.
Do you work with all faiths?
Battle Tested Solutions works with faith-based and community organizations of every kind. Greg is best known for his work protecting Jewish institutions, including as Chabad International's security advisor. In 2026 the Federation of Israeli Martial Arts gave him the Shomer Award for Community Protection for that work. In December 2025 he discussed the rise in antisemitism and the challenges of protecting the Jewish community on the Fortify Your Future podcast, Episode 19.