Non-profit organizations have historically concentrated their efforts on fundraising, service delivery in addition to community involvement. In the past cybersecurity was often viewed as a technical issue but not as important to the mission-driven work. The way we view cybersecurity is quickly changing. As nonprofits become more digital more connected and driven by data, cybersecurity has changed from being a “nice-to-have” into a critical prioritization.
Nonprofits are now prime targets for cyberattacks
There’s a persistent misconception that hackers target large companies as well as government entities. However the reality is that nonprofits are becoming increasingly attractive targets. The reason for this is that Many nonprofits have sensitive information, but do not have the infrastructure or resources to protect the information.
The most common tasks of non-profits are:
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Donor financial information
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Personal information of the beneficiaries
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Employee and volunteer records
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Housing, health and other information about legal assistance
Cybercriminals are aware that nonprofits have lower defenses and smaller IT teams and have fewer security measures. This makes them more easy to penetrate than larger enterprises but they still have valuable data that they can be able to steal and exploit.
The Increasing Digital Footprints of Nonprofits
Over the last 10 years the nonprofit sector has rapidly adopted digital transformation. Cloud-based donor management platforms and online fundraising platforms, remote tools for work, as well as digital collaboration software are becoming commonplace.
Although this digital transformation enhances efficiency and coverage however, it also increases the threat surface. Every connected application remote login, as well as third-party integration is a possible entry point for cyber-attackers. The more decentralized your operations are more complex, the harder it becomes to ensure that security controls are consistent.
It means that nonprofits are no longer groups of people, but are also digital data custodians and this carries serious security obligations.
The high cost of a Data Security Breach for an organization that is not for profit
Cybersecurity incidents could be devastating for any business However, for non-profit organizations the effects are often higher than the financial loss.
Data breaches can result in:
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Loss of trust in donors
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Penalties for legal and regulatory violations
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The disruption of critical services
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Damage to reputation that lasts for many years to fix
If a non-profit loses trust the trust of its supporters, it can affect more than just the organization’s finances. It has a direct impact on the communities and people that the organisation serves. For mission-driven companies, this means that cybersecurity is not only a technical problem as much as an ethical one also.
Ransomware: a Growing Threat to mission-driven organizations
The number of ransomware attacks has risen across the globe and non-profit organizations aren’t in the clear. In fact, they’re frequently viewed as “soft targets” as attackers think that they cannot afford the long downtimes and are likely to feel pressured to pay ransom in a short time in order to restore their services.
For non-profit organizations that provide food, shelter, healthcare access, or crisis assistance System failures can be a risk to lives. In the end, ransomware has gone from being an IT issue to being an actual danger to the continued operation of services essential to the organization.
The Pressure to Comply is Growing
Regulations from the government and industry standards have increased the risk for cybersecurity. Based on the nature of their work they could be affected by:
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Data protection laws
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Standards for security of payment cards
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Privacy requirements for health information
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The security of funding and grant requirements
Inability to meet these requirements can lead to sanctions, denial of funding and even legal consequences. In a growing number, donors and grantors are also requesting nonprofits to show that they have adequate security measures in place prior to when they offer funding.
Cybersecurity as a Part of Good Governance
Cybersecurity isn’t only an IT departmental responsibility. It’s an issue of governance. Executive teams, boards of directors and the leadership team are required to comprehend the risks of cyber and make educated decisions regarding security investments.
A strong cybersecurity today means:
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Clare policies and procedures
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Regular risk assessments
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Incident response planning
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Employee and volunteer training
This means that cybersecurity is now a part of the boardroom and is becoming a strategic concern instead of a strictly technical issue.
A Human Perspective: The Reasons Humans Are in the First Line of Defense
Technology alone can’t stop cyber-attacks. Most security breaches begin with phishing email or compromised passwords, or even simple human errors. Many nonprofits rely mostly on volunteers as well as staff who work part-time which makes consistent training difficult.
Establishing a culture of security awareness is a must. If employees and volunteers know how to spot suspicious emails, make use of secure passwords and manage sensitive data, an organization’s overall security posture is greatly improved.
Cybersecurity as a Tool for Building Trust
A strong cybersecurity program can be a competitive advantage for non-profit organizations. Donors, partners, as well as recipients are increasingly concerned about privacy. Companies that demonstrate an ardent dedication to protecting their data are more likely to gain and keep trust.
Transparent security practices demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and respect for those who depend on the business.
the future of Cybersecurity in the Nonprofit Sector
As we look ahead, cybersecurity is expected to remain a top priority for non-profit organizations. The threats will get ever more complex, threats will become more frequently, as well as digital dependence are more severe. However the expectations of regulators as well as donors and the general public will continue to rise.
Non-profits who put their money into cybersecurity aren’t only protecting their systems, they are also protecting their mission, reputation and the communities they serve.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity is not an option anymore for nonprofit organizations. It is an essential aspect of the modern management of nonprofits. While organizations are continuing to grow their digital footprint and reach out to the world, the issue is not anymore whether the need to spend money on cybersecurity however, but how fast they are able to adjust to a more risky digital world.
At the end of the day, protecting information is not only about technology, it’s about protecting people trust, as well as the core of a charity’s mission.
