Cybersecurity Best Practices for Nonprofits

Nonprofits are entrusted with sensitive information, from donor records to client data, yet they often operate with lean IT teams and tight budgets. Cyberattacks targeting nonprofits are on the rise, and the consequences can be severe: financial loss, regulatory fines, and reputational damage.

The good news? Implementing the right cybersecurity practices can protect your organization and your mission, without breaking the budget.

Start with Policies and Awareness

The first line of defense is people. Staff and volunteers need to understand how to recognize threats and respond appropriately.

• Employee Training: Ensure everyone understands phishing, social engineering, and safe password practices.
• Acceptable Use Policies: Clearly outline what devices, software, and networks are allowed for work purposes.
• Regular Security Reminders: Short monthly emails or briefings help reinforce good habits.

Even basic training can dramatically reduce the risk of breaches. Awareness is cheap, effective, and critical.

Protect Your Accounts

Secure accounts are the foundation of any cybersecurity strategy.

• Strong Passwords & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce strong, unique passwords and enable MFA on all critical accounts, including email and financial systems.
• Centralized Identity Management: Single sign-on (SSO) solutions simplify access control and reduce password fatigue.

MFA is often free on major platforms and is one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized access.

Keep Systems Updated

Outdated software and systems are an open door for attackers.

• Patch Regularly: Apply software, firmware, and operating system updates promptly.
• Automate Where Possible: Automatic updates ensure critical patches are applied consistently.

Staying current with updates may seem minor, but it prevents some of the most common cyberattacks.

Secure Your Network

A strong network foundation protects against external threats.

• Firewalls and Endpoint Protection: Essential for preventing malware and unauthorized access.
• VPNs for Remote Work: Secure remote access for staff and volunteers.
• Segmentation: Isolate sensitive data from general network traffic when possible.

Network security ensures that even if one system is compromised, the rest of your organization stays protected.

Backup and Disaster Recovery

Preparation is key. A robust backup strategy can save your organization in the event of a cyberattack or accidental data loss.

• Regular Backups: Automate backups of all critical data.
• Offsite / Cloud Backups: Protect against local disasters and ransomware attacks.
• Test Restores: Periodically ensure backups can be successfully restored.

Backups are only effective if you can actually recover from them. Test often.

Plan for Incident Response

Even with the best defenses, incidents can happen. A clear plan ensures a rapid and organized response.

• Define Roles and Procedures: Assign responsibilities for IT, leadership, donors, and regulatory reporting.
• Document Steps: Include containment, investigation, communication, and recovery processes.
• Practice Drills: Even tabletop exercises can reveal gaps in your response plan.

Having a plan in place minimizes damage and downtime when incidents occur.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity for nonprofits doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. By focusing on awareness, access control, system updates, network security, backups, and incident response planning, organizations can protect sensitive information and continue serving their mission safely.

Datotel Can Help

At Datotel, we specialize in managed IT and security solutions tailored for nonprofits. From cloud security to continuous monitoring, we ensure your systems are protected so you can focus on what matters most: your mission.

Contact us today to learn how we can help your nonprofit strengthen its cybersecurity without straining your budget.