Many non-profits handle sensitive data on the most vulnerable in our society, so the risks are great! Not just to staff, volunteers, donors and reputation, but also to those we’re supporting.
Help your staff learn how to spot fraudulent messages
We can’t recommend this simple step enough. We all know someone who’s been caught out by a scam. It can easily happen but can also be easily prevented. Scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated in the way in which they target us, using emails, fake websites, SMS and even voice technology to trick us into handing over key information such as passwords and bank details. Organisations such as Carmichael can provide training to your staff highlighting the risks and how they can be avoided. Citizens Information also provide some basic information that you can share with your teams.
Help your staff manage their passwords and accounts
These days we all have multiple accounts and passwords to remember. Most of us know it’s safer to use different passwords for different sites, but it’s not easy to remember them all! This is where Password Managers come in. They provide a safe a secure way for staff to access passwords. Popular options include Nordpass and LastPass. There’s also Password Manager functionality available in this donated offer from Norton via our Tech Donations programme.
Also, always use Multi-Factor-Authentication when it’s available – it’s an extra step, but much more convenient than a hacker getting into your system.
Automate your software updates
Many software companies release regular patches to fix security flaws. And depending on the nature of the flaw, one missed security update could be all that it takes to wreak havoc on your organisation. To prevent this, make sure you turn on automatic software updates for all your apps and devices – don’t leave it up to individual staff to install the update “when they’ve got time”.
Review your Antivirus Software
Whilst there is a lot of free antivirus software out there, it is worth investing with a reputable company to make sure that your organisation is protected and several offer excellent discounts and donations to Non-Profits. You can find out more here.
Have a plan
Make sure you have a plan for if things go wrong. Is your data backed up? How will you report an incident? Who is going to manage it? Who needs to be informed? There’s a lot to consider, but by taking some simple steps you can make a start.
Some other resources that might be of interest:
A Three Step Approach to Protecting your Non-Profit from Cyberattacks
