A Non-Profit Leader’s Guide to Cybersecurity
Leading a non-profit or philanthropic organization is incredibly rewarding but often requires juggling multiple responsibilities. As a leader, you may find yourself switching between roles—chief fundraiser, operations expert, financial strategist, and now, cybersecurity guardian. While we can’t help with every aspect of your multifaceted role, we can offer valuable guidance to simplify the complex world of cybersecurity.
The Issue
In recent years, non-profit leaders have been increasingly tasked with ensuring their organizations have robust cybersecurity measures in place. However, many have lacked the necessary tools and training to effectively assess whether their cybersecurity defenses are truly adequate. This gap has had significant consequences. Despite growing awareness of cyber threats, the results have been concerning. According to Forbes and the ITRC Annual Data Breach Report, “2023 saw a 72% increase in data breaches since 2021, which held the previous all-time record.”
The Opportunity
Thankfully, there are tools available to help non-profit leaders navigate these cybersecurity challenges. One of the most important resources is the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF). This framework is an essential guide for organizations of any size and sector, providing comprehensive guidelines for managing cybersecurity risks.
Originally designed to bolster cybersecurity in critical infrastructure sectors, the NIST CSF has evolved to meet the needs of all organizations, including non-profits that may lack extensive cybersecurity resources. The release of NIST CSF 2.0 reflects this broader scope, offering an accessible and powerful tool for leaders to confidently manage their IT and cybersecurity systems.
Getting Started
To help you elevate your organization’s cybersecurity standards, we’ve compiled some essential resources:
An easy-to-follow overview that introduces you to the basics of the NIST framework.
- NIST Getting Started Guide: An easy-to-follow overview that introduces you to the basics of the NIST framework.
- NIST 2.0 Guide for Philanthropic Organizations: A guide to the latest enhancements in the NIST CSF, tailored to the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Up and Running
Enhancing your organization’s cybersecurity is not a one-time task but an ongoing journey. It requires consistent effort, regular reviews, and progress tracking to close any gaps in your defenses. The final page of our guide includes a straightforward checklist to help you monitor your organization’s cybersecurity progress.
While implementing advanced measures can take time, we recommend prioritizing the following activities:
- Utilize Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA across all systems, including email and banking, to add an extra layer of security.
- Invest in Cybersecurity Awareness Training: Ensure that every team member is trained to recognize and respond to cyber threats.
- Conduct Annual Cybersecurity Assessments: Regular assessments are crucial for identifying vulnerabilities and areas that need improvement.
- Adopt Best Practice Technologies: Implement tools like Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) and robust data backup systems to protect your organization.
- Incorporate the NIST Cybersecurity Framework: Make the NIST CSF an integral part of your daily operations to maintain a strong cybersecurity posture.
By focusing on these key activities, you can significantly enhance your organization’s cybersecurity, ensuring it remains resilient against ever-evolving threats. If the experts at Leap Managed IT can assist your organization in any way, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
For more insights, you can refer to these sources:
– 1 Forbes Cybersecurity Statistics
– 2 2023 ITRC Data Breach Report
