Summary: CISA’s Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) recently published its August schedule of free Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) courses. CISA’s OBP provides a variety of free training, products, and services to build nationwide counter-improvised explosive devices (C-IED) capabilities and to enhance awareness of terrorist threats.

Analyst Note: Given the frequent sharing of tactical guidance on how to manufacture explosives, WaterISAC encourages its members to consider the risks of violent extremists or other threat actors employing explosives in attacks on their infrastructure and plan accordingly. Indeed, WaterISAC’s July physical security webinar discussed a water utility successfully responding to a suspicious package it thought might be a bomb, highlighting the importance of utilities preparing for potential bomb threats.

VILT courses provide basic bombing prevention information ranging from IED construction and classification to the terrorist attack cycle. All online virtual training courses are conducted with a live instructor, using an online learning platform. Participants can connect to the learning platform via most devices that can access the internet. VILTs are great for participants with time constraints as most classes are approximately one-hour in length and can be taken independently. 

For more information and to register for a course visit the OBP VILT Schedule/Registration Page at: https://cdp.dhs.gov/obp. Select the desired course and date from the listings and you will be automatically directed to the online application process. Registration must be completed two business days prior to class start date. Visit the OBP VILT Schedule/Registration Page to view a 90-day schedule. 

A FEMA Student Identification (SID) number and Password are required to apply. If you don’t have a FEMA SID, one may be obtained by going to: https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/register.   

For registration issues, contact OBP Training Support at the CDP at: obp-support@cdpemail.dhs.gov or (256) 847-2195 during business hours. 

Original Source: See the flyer below.

Additional Reading:

• In-Depth Research Report Examines Violent Extremist Use of Explosives in the U.S. Homeland
• Strategic Lethality: Trends in the Use of Explosives by Terrorist Organizations
• CISA Report – Increase in Bomb Threats and Suspicious Packages

Related WaterISAC PIRs: 1, 3, & 4