VIRTUOUS

Who: Religious leaders and community members collaborated with security experts from QSINT, SYNYO, and other consortium partners. What: A comprehensive Tabletop Exercise (TTX) was conducted to simulate risk management and crisis negotiation. Where: The training session was held in Rome, Italy. When: The event took place on 5 February 2026. Why: The exercise aimed to strengthen the ability of religious entities to identify threats and protect places of worship.

Within the framework of the VIRTUOUS project, a specialised Tabletop Exercise was implemented to address the evolving security needs of religious communities. The simulation focused on three primary operational risk scenarios: bladed weapon assaults, arson, and complex attacks involving firearms or car-ramming. These scenarios were developed based on previous project analyses to ensure high realism without causing emotional overload for the participants.

The exercise was structured into three distinct phases to provide a logical progression in skill development. In the initial phase, awareness was raised through the analysis of real-world video footage depicting past security incidents. This allowed participants to identify suspicious behaviours and understand the practical application of security principles in their everyday environments.

The second phase transitioned into operational planning, where participants were divided into groups representing Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions. Under the guidance of technical experts, these groups drafted risk assessment documents and security plans tailored to their specific religious contexts. This collaborative effort encouraged the exchange of best practices and highlighted the unique challenges faced by different places of worship.

The final phase of the training focused on negotiated crisis management and de-escalation techniques. Participants engaged in simulations involving individuals in states of agitation, learning how to prevent the deterioration of risky situations through communication. This practical approach was designed to equip religious leaders with the tools necessary to maintain safety while preserving the spiritual openness of their facilities.

References

QSINT. (2026). VIRTUOUS – T2.4 TTX Simulation Rome. Unpublished project deliverable.

Links

VIRTUOUS Project website: https://www.virtuous-project.eu

Keywords

security awareness, religious communities, risk assessment, crisis management, interreligious dialogue.