Cybersecurity for Nonprofits: Tips and Best Practices

As technology continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly important for nonprofits to prioritize cybersecurity. Hackers are always looking for new ways to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, and nonprofits are no exception. In fact, nonprofits are often targeted more frequently because they are perceived as easier targets. In this blog post, we will discuss cybersecurity tips and best practices that nonprofits can implement to protect their data.

1. Develop a Cybersecurity Plan

A cybersecurity plan is a comprehensive strategy that outlines how your nonprofit will protect against cyber threats. It should include policies, procedures, and protocols that your organization will follow to prevent cyberattacks. A cybersecurity plan should also outline the roles and responsibilities of each team member, as well as the steps that should be taken in the event of a security breach.

One resource to help you develop a cybersecurity plan is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework. The NIST Framework provides a detailed roadmap that nonprofits can use to assess their cybersecurity risk and develop a plan that aligns with their organizational goals.

2. Train Your Employees on Cybersecurity Best Practices

Your employees are your first line of defense against cyber threats. Therefore, it is crucial to provide them with regular training on cybersecurity best practices. This includes teaching them how to identify phishing scams, how to create strong passwords, and how to recognize suspicious activity on their devices.

The Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) offers a variety of cybersecurity training resources for nonprofits. They offer webinars, workshops, and other training materials that can help your team stay up-to-date on the latest threats and best practices.

3. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication

One of the easiest ways to protect your organization’s data is by using strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Strong passwords should be at least 12 characters long and should include a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a fingerprint or a text message code.

Password managers like LastPass and 1Password can help your team create and manage strong passwords. Two-factor authentication is also built into many popular online tools, such as Google and Microsoft.

4. Keep Your Software and Systems Up-to-Date

Outdated software and systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks. Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities in old software to gain access to sensitive data. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your organization’s software and systems up-to-date.

Most software and operating systems have automatic updates that can be turned on to ensure that they are always running the latest version. It is also a good practice to regularly check for updates and install them as soon as they become available.

5. Backup Your Data Regularly

Data backups are critical to protecting your organization’s data from cyber threats. In the event of a security breach or data loss, having a backup can help your team recover quickly and minimize the damage.

Cloud-based backup solutions like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive can help your organization back up important data automatically. It is also a good practice to regularly test your backups to ensure that they are working correctly.

Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing process

Implementing cybersecurity best practices is crucial to protecting your nonprofit’s data from cyber threats. By developing a cybersecurity plan, training your employees, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, keeping your software and systems up-to-date, and backing up your data regularly, your organization can significantly reduce the risk of a cyberattack.

Your organization should regularly review and update its cybersecurity plan to ensure that it is up-to-date and effective. By staying vigilant and proactive, your nonprofit can protect its sensitive data and continue to make a positive impact in the world.

Sources:

• 5 Cybersecurity Best Practices for Your Nonprofit. Nonprofit Tech for Good. Retrieved from https://www.nptechforgood.com/2023/02/13/5-cybersecurity-best-practices-for-your-nonprofit/
• Cybersecurity for Nonprofits. Nonprofits Decoded. Retrieved from https://nonprofitsdecoded.com/cybersecurity-for-nonprofits/
• Cybersecurity for Nonprofits. Zog, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.zoginc.com/blog/cybersecurity-for-nonprofits/
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework. Retrieved from https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
• Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN). Retrieved from https://www.nten.org/