Nonprofit organizations are often a target for cyber crimes, including phishing and ransomware attacks. In fact, it’s how a Los Angeles-based nonprofit hospital lost $17,000 worth of bitcoin it paid as a ransom to a hacker that infiltrated its network.
Thus, it’s crucial for nonprofits to boost their cybersecurity efforts. Not only does it save nonprofit organizations time and money, but boosting cybersecurity brings the added benefit of reducing and preventing future cyber attacks. The good news is that nonprofits can take actionable steps to safeguard their data and networks. Here are some essential steps nonprofit organizations can take:
- Create a Plan
It’s crucial for nonprofits to outline the procedures for disaster prevention and recovery. The plan should identify responsible parties of contact should a cyber attack occur. Nonprofit organizations should also test the plan regularly. - Use Automation Tools
Nonprofit organizations can also take advantage of automation tools to automatically authenticate users who are trying to access their accounts or database. They can also use patch management tools to automatically repair any vulnerabilities in their system that can leave them exposed to a potential cyber attack. - Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Nonprofit organizations can boost their cybersecurity by using multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication involves using several methods for accessing a network or database. For instance, a nonprofit administrator can set up access to an account that requires the username, password, and a unique USB key-generated code. This helps to make it more challenging for hackers to access the nonprofit organization’s databases or accounts. - Focus on Employee Training
From malicious phishing links sent via email to social engineering, workers for nonprofit organizations often are unaware of how to identify hacker infiltration tactics. That’s how the nonprofit organization Bat World Sanctuary of Texas lost access to its Facebook page and missed out on thousands of dollars in potential donations. An employee may have clicked on a phishing link, which gave a hacker access to the nonprofit organization’s Facebook account. Thus, training is crucial.
Improving cybersecurity training calls for nonprofit organizations providing cybersecurity training that is specific to their industry and helps workers easily recognize scams and other tactics hackers use. Employees should also come out of training understanding who to contact when trouble arises.
Don’t Put Nonprofit at Risk (Use a Pro)
Without a robust cybersecurity plan, nonprofits put their data and networks at risk. So, it’s important to put best practices like the ones mentioned here into action. It’s also essential to use a reliable team with cybersecurity expertise, such as ITS Group.
As a Southwest Florida-based company with more than 19 years in the business, ITS Group understands cyber crimes that could impact Naples nonprofit organizations and has the expertise to help nonprofits prevent and address cyber attacks. Contact ITS Group for a free assessment and to learn more about how to boost cybersecurity for nonprofit organizations.