The National Centre for Cyber Security has recently released a helpful set of guides to help small charities face up to malicious cyber activity.
More and more charities are using data and complex IT systems everyday and this puts them at an increased risk of cyber attack.
The guides are free to use, and propose security measures that either cost nothing or very little to implement. The Small Charity Guide sets out steps to take to:
- Back up your data;
- Protect your charity from malware;
- Keep smartphones and tablets safe;
- Use passwords to protect your data; and
- Defend your charity against phishing attacks.
There are other resources available as well: an e-learning package on cyber security for small charities, that is free to use. The NCSC also signposts to a useful set of webinars, produced in conjunction with Charity Digital.
If you need to improve your cyber security further, it is also possible to seek certification under the NCSC’s Cyber Essentials scheme About Cyber Essentials - NCSC.GOV.UK, demonstrating to your supporters, donors and beneficiaries that you take the protection of their data seriously.
The NSCS resources are all available here Small Charity Guide - NCSC.GOV.UK. In particular there is a comprehensive infographic that can be freely shared.
The guidance also points to help for larger charities available here 10 Steps to Cyber Security - NCSC.GOV.UK
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