Nonprofits and Cybersecurity

Smith Attorneys Group

Generally, nonprofits have faced unique cybersecurity risks as they tend to have limited resources and defense mechanisms in place than other types of business. Additionally, nonprofits collect sensitive information on their volunteers, corporate sponsors, and donors, including addresses and financial details. While cybersecurity risks cannot be avoided altogether, many cyberattacks can be prevented. Here are four ways nonprofits can prevent cyberattacks:

Educate and Document – Ensure there is a policy in place to address cyber attacks and provide training on cybersecurity risks and best practices for staff and volunteers. Many breaches result from human error, simply explaining the risks and mitigating techniques goes a long way toward securing your systems.
Update Systems and Software – Ensure software and computer you use is updated regularly. This includes antivirus and anti-malware software, consider installing a firewall, and use monitoring software so that you are aware of attempted hacks.
Strengthen Authentication – Consider implementing multi-factor authentication as an extra layer of security that combines standard log-in information with a unique code sent to another device such as a smartphone. Stronger login credentials are a great way to ensure that only authorized users are accessing your system.
Secure Communications – Use a secure server and network to collect, sort and transmit important information to help you keep your communications secure. Many cloud-based platforms offer safer options as they encrypt your data.