Why do hackers choose organizations as their target?
It’s a frequent misunderstanding that the smaller your company is, the less likely it is to be a target of cybercriminals. Similarly, there is a common belief that charitable organizations are immune to widespread data breaches. After all, what is just there to snatch? Isn’t it true that crooks are attracted to larger, more “valuable” prey?
In actuality, smaller companies focus on 43% of hacks, with charities being just as vulnerable as for-profit companies. In fact, according to the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, half of all NGOs and nonprofits have been hit by ransomware.
So, why would thieves want to break into a nonprofit? We’ll go through the reasons in detail below, as well as how you can begin defending your NGO or nonprofit organization right away.
Nonprofits have access to a large amount of information.
Although a charity organization may not have the massive cash resources that hackers desire, they have data and a lot of it.
Charitable organizations are attractive targets because of their financial information. Donation or fundraiser websites with insufficient security are a significant source of confidential bank and credit card data. Similarly, those who depend on shaky third-party payment services expose their information to attackers.
Nonprofits also have a lot of essential customer data. This adds to the motivation to hack their networks, as the information can be used for theft, blackmail, and other crimes.
Nonprofits frequently lack adequate cybersecurity.
The lack of proper security precautions is the second problem contributing to NGOs’ inclination to be attractive targets.
Such organizations’ security protocols contain many flaws. Not having defined systems and procedures in the event of an attack, not giving regular training programs, and a lack of managerial tools for storing or exchanging userNames and passwords are among them.
Even though IT security is a significant problem, many NGOs lack specialized IT security personnel – complicating things worse.
Nonprofit groups are a prominent target for hackers because of their casual attitude to safety. It doesn’t help that most of these businesses rely on free software and low-cost web hosting, all while missing the security knowledge needed to combat a slew of cyber threats.
While more prominent NGOs may withstand an attack, smaller ones are more likely to suffer irreversible damage. Those overworked and who depend on volunteers to recoup from disasters lack the resources and skills needed to do so successfully. As a result, they may permanently lose their public image and their company data.
What can charities do to safeguard themselves?
A shift in perspective is always the first step in providing quality to your charity organization against cyberattacks. Remove the notion that your company has nothing essential to take, as you certainly have enough valuable client and financial data that hackers may readily access.
Second, it’s a good idea to do a security review of your existing system and identify any areas of risk or inefficiency. Maybe your employees aren’t well-versed in security, or your firm’s equipment isn’t adequately protected? You’ll also need to consider whether it’s time to get a job with a specialized IT team, including whether they should be contracted or in-house.
Assess your company’s security requirements and take the necessary procedures to meet them. It may also be beneficial to create accessibility limits based on your group’s roles. Recruits or employees, for example, may not require the same level of access to sensitive customer data as those in managerial positions.
Finally, it’s critical to keep your equipment up to date. In addition to a slow down, older equipment may be incompatible with updated security patches. Similarly, keeping your security software up to date is essential. New patches or bug fixes guarantee that all of your security precautions are up to date and working correctly, ensuring that your security is in tip-top form.
Cybercrime does not distinguish between large and small businesses, for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Pioneers Technology’s security solutions will keep your charity secure, private, and fully protected. Our professionals have the means to keep your company safe, from email and spam protection to network and wireless security. Avoid being a victim of typical cybercrime strategies by contacting our security detail immediately!
