The world of digital security is constantly evolving. New threats and challenges emerge regularly, requiring businesses and individuals to stay one step ahead at all times. This is especially true for the charitable sector, which has been recognized as being particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks in recent years. According to a study by Threat Intelligence and Analytics company Vectra, 76% of nonprofit respondents believed their organization would be targeted by hackers in the next year, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. And while it’s important that individual charities take digital security seriously and implement measures to protect their data, websites, and online fundraising campaigns as much as possible; ultimately it is up to an individual organization’s board members and trustees to be responsible custodians of donations.
What is the most common type of cybercrime affecting charities?
If there is one single type of computer crime affecting charities above all others it would have to be ransomware. This type of ‘malware’ is designed to infiltrate computers and either completely lock access to files or hold them to ransom. Ransomware has been a problem for charities for several years now and has been particularly prevalent in the healthcare, education, and public sector. The fact that many charities are moving their operations online has allowed cybercriminals to take advantage of a greater number of potential targets, often with devastating effects. Other common types of computer crimes affecting charities include phishing scams. These are designed to trick unsuspecting employees and donors into sharing sensitive data such as login credentials and credit card information by impersonating legitimate organizations/individuals.
Which digital platforms should be safeguarded for a charity?
To protect all aspects of your organization’s digital presence, it’s important to safeguard as many platforms as possible. For example, you should be safeguarding your website and online donation pages, of course, but you should also be protecting social media accounts, email accounts, and any other online assets where sensitive information could be shared. Some of the most important digital assets to safeguard include your website, social media profiles, email accounts, online donation pages, and event booking/online booking platforms if applicable.
Protecting your data: Everything starts here
To effectively protect your organization’s data, you must take a proactive approach. This means regularly auditing your systems, protecting your most sensitive data at all times, and educating staff members on the importance of taking digital security seriously. Some of the most important ways to protect your data include: – Regularly auditing your systems – If you don’t know what’s going on inside your network, it’s impossible to protect it. Make sure you have regular security audits to keep an eye on emerging threats and vulnerabilities. – Protecting your most sensitive data – All organizations have what can be described as ‘crown jewels’. Data such as donor records, financial records, and other sensitive information must be safeguarded at all costs. Make sure this data is stored on a separate, highly secure server and that only authorized individuals have access to it. – Regularly updating software – New software updates are released daily. Sadly, many businesses fail to install these updates promptly, leaving their systems vulnerable. Make sure you’re installing all important updates as soon as they become available.
Smartphones and tablets: Safeguard your most important devices
As we’ve already established, smartphones and tablets are a major entry point for hackers. Furthermore, these devices are also a major source of sensitive data. To protect this data and safeguard these devices, you need to take certain steps. First and foremost, you need to be careful with which apps you download and use. Avoid downloading apps from unknown/untrustworthy sources and always read reviews before installing new apps. It’s also a good idea to regularly check for any app-related issues or problems on your device(s) and take the appropriate steps. In terms of safeguarding your data, you need to do the following: – Ensure your devices are encrypted – Data on unencrypted devices can easily be intercepted and exploited by cybercriminals, which is why all devices (particularly those holding sensitive data) should be encrypted. – Use a VPN – A Virtual Private Network is a great way to improve your smartphone/tablet security. VPNs route all of your data through a third-party server before sending it to its destination. This makes it harder for hackers to intercept sensitive data.
Computer protection: Install quality software and pay attention to updates
While it’s important to regularly audit your systems for potential vulnerabilities and protect your sensitive data, it’s also important to install quality software on all computers (including laptops, desktops, and servers) and pay attention to updates. This means installing anti-virus software, installing software patches (when applicable) as soon as they become available, and regularly updating browsers to patch bugs and other issues. You should also make sure you have a reliable firewall installed on all computers. Firewalls are designed to protect computers from malicious attacks by blocking certain types of traffic i.e. they only let certain types of traffic through. It’s important to note that some firewalls are better than others, so make sure you purchase a reliable product.
Cloud Security: Safeguard your files with cloud storage
Cloud storage is one of the most convenient ways to safeguard and share files between team members. However, it’s important to choose a quality provider that offers sufficient protection. Make sure to go over each provider’s security features (such as encryption methods and data breach protection systems) before signing a contract. It’s also a good idea to regularly audit cloud storage accounts to ensure no anomalies exist. While cloud storage providers work hard to safeguard data, users need to remain vigilant. Make sure you select a reputable provider and follow security best practices to safeguard your files.
Network Security: Safeguard your network(s)
As previously mentioned, it’s important to safeguard both your computer network(s) and your overall network. This includes safeguarding your Internet connection and creating an effective firewall strategy to prevent malicious attacks. Make sure you have a reliable Internet connection with a sufficient amount of bandwidth. This will help minimize network problems and improve overall functionality. In terms of network security, it’s important to regularly update firewall software and have the latest ‘rule sets’ enabled. It’s also important to regularly check for any issues or problems on your network(s) and take the appropriate action.
Wrapping up
As you can see, protecting your organization’s digital assets is crucial. After all, you want to make sure that sensitive data is kept safe at all times and that third parties are unable to access this data. The best way to do this is by implementing a layered approach to digital security. Make sure you have a good firewall security system in place and don’t forget to regularly update this software. Additionally, make sure that all third-party vendors have strict security protocols in place and that you regularly audit these systems for any anomalies. It’s also important to follow best practices when browsing the web and regularly patching software on your computer/devices to avoid any potential threats. With careful planning and a layered approach to digital security, you can easily safeguard your organization’s digital assets.
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