Cybersecurity Essentials for Nonprofits: Protecting Your Mission
Nonprofits must prioritize cybersecurity to protect sensitive data and maintain trust with donors and clients. This article explores essential steps for nonprofits to assess and mitigate cybersecurity risks, ensuring compliance with regulations and safeguarding their operations against potential data breaches.
If your nonprofit engages in any of the following activities, it’s crucial to address cybersecurity risks:
- E-commerce on your website (e.g., processing donations or event registrations)
- Storing and transferring personally identifiable information (PII) (e.g., donor details, employee records)
- Collecting information on donor preferences and habits
Why It Matters
Data collection is vital for nonprofits as it helps measure impact, understand their audience, and track program effectiveness. It also aids in resource allocation, donor accountability, and maximizing positive change.
Organizations handling sensitive data face significant risks, including data breaches that can harm both the nonprofit and the individuals it serves. For nonprofits raising funds or providing services in the EU, compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) is mandatory.
Key Steps to Mitigate Risks
- Risk Assessment
- Inventory all data collected and stored.
- Evaluate the necessity of the data and streamline storage.
- Use tools like NTEN’s assessment template to identify data risks.
- Data Protection
- Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations on PII.
- Train staff on proper data handling and disposal.
- Protect all data, even if it doesn’t qualify as PII, to maintain reputation and donor trust.
- Risk Management
- Use the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to identify and mitigate risks.
- Evaluate third-party vendors’ data security protocols.
- Regularly update software and enforce strong password protocols to prevent website takeovers.
Cyber Liability Insurance
Consider cyber liability insurance to cover potential losses from data breaches, including notification costs, content repair, and reputation management. Work with knowledgeable insurance agents to choose the right coverage for your nonprofit.
IT Partner
Nonprofits must adapt to keep pace with technology; however, tight budgets and limited resources can make it challenging for these organizations to access and utilize technological advancements. Assess your organization’s specific needs. Often, partnering with an IT provider is a viable solution. For small to medium-sized nonprofits, outsourcing IT services can provide access to up-to-date tools and expertise without straining the budget, offering the benefits of a full-fledged IT department.
When selecting a cybersecurity service provider, prioritize those with proven experience in the nonprofit field, ensure they meet industry standards and hold relevant certifications, and choose a provider that can scale with your organization’s evolving needs.