Famous Non-Profit Cyberattacks
While non-profits may not seem like the most lucrative target, there have been several large cyberattacks. Examples of these attacks are the:
GiveSendGo Data Breach: This fundraising platform was breached in February 2022. Around 90,000 individuals had data leaked from this breach. The data exposed were things such as emails, addresses, names, and details of donations. The breach occurred on at least three occasions, which raised concerns about the security and privacy of users.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Breach: This breach impacted the Red Cross during their Restoring Family Links program. This attack compromised personal and confidential data from over 515,000 individuals. The breach strained efforts on their ability to locate missing people and reconnect families.
Save the Children International: Occurring in 2023, this humanitarian organization suffered a massive attack. 6.8 terabytes of sensitive data was stolen, including personal data and HR files. Also, around 800 gigabytes were from financial records.
Photo by Fortinet
Why Cybersecurity is Needed for Non-Profits
As we’ve covered in the attacks above, these cybercriminals aren’t attacking these organizations for money specifically. What they want is all their sensitive information. Over 68% of nonprofits don’t have documented policies and procedures in place in the event a cyberattack occurs. I’ll explain why cybersecurity is needed and how it can protect these organizations:
Sensitive Data: Data such as donor information, beneficiary data, or partner and volunteer data are what cybercriminals are after. Names, credit card numbers, health records, and much more are all the things they want so they can resell it. A breach could compromise this data, leading to reputational damage and hefty legal issues.
Prime Targets: Non-profits are generally considered to have weaker security. This may be due to tighter budgets and prioritizing their mission activities over IT infrastructure. This can lead them to use outdated systems and minimal cybersecurity resistance. Hackers also often target non-profits, assuming they’re more likely to pay ransoms to avoid operational disruptions.
Reputation: For these organizations, reputation is everything. It’s the foundation for their relationship with donors, beneficiaries, and partners. Being a victim of a cyber-attack can damage trust, reduce donations, and decrease community involvement.
How Non-Profits Can Find the Right Cybersecurity Partner
Finding the right cybersecurity partner may be harder than it looks. Yet, it’s essential that these organizations can safeguard their data and operations. Here are key factors to consider:
Tailored Solutions: Choosing a managed IT and cybersecurity provider that has flexible and scalable solutions to match your organization’s needs is a must.
Proactive Threat Management: Services such as 24/7 monitoring, security audits, and email monitoring are what you want to look for when hiring a service. These help prevent attacks and minimize any potential damage.
Cost-Effective Services: Having a good partner will figure out how to maximize your cybersecurity needs while giving you the highest ROI. Cybersecurity isn’t cheap by any means so choosing the right partner is crucial.
References and Reputation: Just as you trust a non-profit with a good reputation, looking for a cybersecurity service with a good reputation is good to verify its legitimacy. Also viewing any testimonials, they may have can verify their track record.
How Kirkham IronTech Supports Non-Profits
At Kirkham IronTech, we understand the unique challenges non-profits face in protecting their data and operations. That’s why what we’ve covered in the last section are all our unique offerings. Our services include 24/7 monitoring, security audits, email monitoring, and many more. Our team works closely with organizations to develop scalable solutions that work with their needs and achieve the maximum ROI, so they never have to compromise on safety.
Want to learn more? Download our 10-page mini book, Cybersecurity and IT Managed Services for Nonprofits to explore how we partner with and help non-profits to achieve a safe cybersecurity environment.
Give Us a Call Today!
Call Us: (479) 434-1400 – Speak with our cybersecurity team.
Visit Our Website: www.kirkhamirontech.com – Learn about our tailored solutions.
Email Us: info@kirkhamirontech.com – Let us help secure your non-profit from cyberattacks.
Tom Kirkham brings more than three decades of software design, network administration, and cybersecurity knowledge to organizations around the country. During his career, Tom has received multiple software design awards and founded other acclaimed technology businesses.
