October is Cyber-Security Awareness Month: Non-Profits Edition

Content

1. ​Why Cyber-Security Matters
2. Key Cyber-security Considerations for Non-Profits
3. Implementing Cyber-security in Your Non-Profit’s Digital Operations
4. 12-Item Cyber-security Checklist for Non-Profits
5. Conclusion

​Why Cyber-Security Matters

Protecting Donors Data

At the heart of every digital space is data. Data allows us to understand our audience, create effective marketing strategies, and improve donors’ experiences.

But with this reliance on data comes a responsibility to protect it. Breaches can lead to loss of trust, legal repercussions, and significant brand damage.

Maintaining Non-Profit Brand Reputation

In today’s digital age, an organization’s reputation can be tarnished in minutes.

A single security mishap can lead to a PR nightmare. Maintaining a robust cyber-security posture ensures that your charity remains trustworthy in the eyes of donors, volunteers and the general public.

Securing Financial Transactions

For donations and online giving, ensuring secure financial transactions is crucial. Without proper cyber-security measures, transaction data can be intercepted, leading to financial losses and identity theft.

Avoiding Legal Repercussions

Many countries and regions have introduced strict data protection regulations. Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines and legal challenges, even if unintentional.

Key Cyber-security Considerations for Non-Profits

Phishing Campaigns

Phishing is a form of social engineering and scam where attackers deceive people into revealing sensitive information or installing malware such as ransomware.

• Overview: Phishing campaigns are deceitful tactics where cyber attackers pose as trustworthy entities to extract sensitive data. They might send fake emails or text messages or even create deceptive websites that appear legitimate.
• Impact: Falling for such campaigns can lead to severe data breaches, financial losses, and a compromised brand reputation.
• Recommendation: Stay alert to unsolicited communications. Provide regular training sessions for your staff and team, ensuring they can spot and report suspicious activities. Always double-check the authenticity of questionable emails or requests, especially if they ask for sensitive information or direct actions.

Ad Fraud

• Overview: Ad fraud refers to malicious practices that falsely inflate the performance metrics of online advertising. Cybercriminals deploy automated bots to click on ads or generate fake traffic, making campaigns appear more effective than they are.
• Impact: This can waste your non-profit’s money on ads that aren’t working. It can also give you the wrong idea about how well your ads are doing.
• Recommendation: Use tools that can spot this kind of trickery. Keep an eye on where your website visitors are coming from, and be careful if you see sudden jumps in numbers without any real results. Book a Free Consult to learn more and protect your organization against Ad Fraud.

Website Security

• Overview:
  

  A secure website is the backbone of any organization. Ensuring that your website is safe means protecting both your organization operations and the trust of your visitors.

• Impact: Websites with weak security can be easily hacked, leading to data theft, dissemination of malware to visitors, and hurting your reputation.
• Recommendation: Switch to HTTPS—a secure version of HTTP—by acquiring an SSL certificate. This encrypts data transmitted between your website and users. Furthermore, routinely back up your website data to recover from potential attacks swiftly. Keep your Content Management System (CMS) and any plugins or tools you use regularly updated to patch vulnerabilities. Book a Free Consult to learn more and ensure your website is secure.

Third-party Vendors

• Overview: Sometimes, we use outside tools or services to help with our work. However, integrating third-party solutions can introduce vulnerabilities if those vendors don’t prioritize security.
• Impact: If one of these services gets hacked, your non-profit’s data might be at risk, too. It could lead to leaks or other issues.
• Recommendation: Before integrating any third-party tool or service, research its security protocols. Ask them about their cyber-security measures, and consider conducting regular security audits. Ensure that any data shared with these vendors is minimized and encrypted.

Implementing Cyber-Security in Your Non-Profit’s Digital Operations

Regular Training

Staying informed is essential. Investing in continuous education ensures your team has the necessary skills and knowledge to combat these threats.

An educated team reduces the chances of falling victim to scams, phishing attempts, or other vulnerabilities. They become the first line of defence against potential breaches.

Recommendation: Host monthly or quarterly training sessions. Incorporate real-world examples, simulations, and role-playing exercises. Collaborate with cyber-security experts to make these workshops practical and engaging.

Use Trusted Platforms

The online tools you pick to help your non-profit are super important. You want ones that are not only good but also safe.

Using tools that aren’t safe can put your non-profit’s info at risk. This could be info about your work or even about your supporters.

Before you start using a new online tool, do your homework. See what other people say about it and make sure it’s known for being safe.

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA requires users to provide multiple forms of identification before granting access. This could be something they know (like a password), something they have (like a phone), or something they are (like a fingerprint).

MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access. Even if an attacker obtains a password without the second form of identification, they cannot breach the account.

Recommendation: Enable MFA on all possible platforms, especially those that store sensitive data. Encourage employees and clients to use it by educating them about its benefits.

Regular Audits

Consistent evaluations of your digital assets help identify vulnerabilities that might have gone unnoticed.

Audits can uncover weak points in your system, allowing you to address them before they become significant issues or are exploited.

What about data theft? Do you know how many people in your organization are using free Dropbox accounts? Or Google Drive accounts to store or transfer files?

As Google and Dropbox partners, we can run audits and let you know about rogue accounts.

Plan regular check-ups for your digital tools. Think about working with companies that specialize in checking for online safety issues. Wow Digital Inc.: Get a Free Website Audit here

Stay Updated

Cyber-security is ever-changing, with new threats and solutions emerging constantly. Staying uninformed can lead to vulnerabilities and missed opportunities to bolster defences.

Subscribe to leading cyber-security news sources, join dedicated forums, and attend relevant webinars or conferences.

Sign up for updates from trusted cyber safety sources. Join online groups or go to events when you can.

Make it a part of your non-profit’s routine to always learn about online safety.

27-Point Cyber-Security Checklist for Non-Profits

1. Awareness & Training
   • Conduct regular cyber-security training for all staff and volunteers.
   • Discuss the latest threats and best practices in staff meetings.
2. Passwords & Access Control
   • Use strong, unique passwords for all systems and accounts.
   • Implement multi-factor authentication where possible.
   • Limit access to sensitive data; only authorized personnel should have access.
3. Software & System Updates
   • Regularly update all software, including the operating system, applications, and plugins.
   • Activate automatic updates when available.
4. Data Backup & Recovery
   • Set up automated backups for all critical data.
   • Regularly test backup restoration processes to ensure they work.
   • Store backup copies in a secure offsite location.
5. Secure Donations & Financial Transactions
   • Use reputable payment processors for online donations.
   • Ensure the website uses HTTPS for secure data transmission during transactions.
6. Email Security
   • Educate staff about the dangers of phishing emails.
   • Use email filtering tools to reduce spam and potential phishing threats.
7. Device Security
   • Install antivirus and anti-malware software on all devices.
   • Encourage staff to lock their devices when not in use.
   • Implement device encryption, especially for mobile devices.
8. Network Security
   • Set up firewalls to monitor and control incoming and outgoing traffic.
   • Use secure Wi-Fi with strong passwords, and consider setting up a separate guest network.
9. Physical Security
   • Keep servers and computer rooms locked.
   • Install security cameras and alarms as needed.
10. Vendor & Third-Party Assessment
    • Before using third-party services (like cloud storage or email marketing tools), research their security measures.
    • Regularly review and update vendor contracts and agreements, ensuring they prioritize data security.
11. Incident Response Plan
    • Create a clear plan for how to respond to security incidents or breaches.
    • Regularly review and rehearse the plan with key team members.
12. Stay Informed
    • Join cyber-security forums or groups specific to non-profits.
    • Subscribe to cyber-security news sources to stay updated on the latest threats and solutions.

Conclusion

We always want to be one step ahead. Just like we’re always looking for new and exciting ways to market, we must also ensure everything we do is safe.

At Wow Digital Inc., we’re not just about great digital marketing. We also believe in ensuring everything we do online is secure for everyone. So, as we work hard to be the best in marketing, let’s ensure we’re keeping things safe for everyone involved.

Ready to boost your digital marketing while ensuring security? Book a free consult and let’s work together for a safer, brighter digital future.