In today’s digital era, nonprofit organizations face unique challenges in securing their online presence. With the ever-growing quantity of sensitive information that is transmitted through the internet, nonprofit websites have become target sites for cyber attacks. Whether it’s donor information, volunteer details, or internal communication, your nonprofit website must be secured to maintain credibility and trust.
This article will walk you through the major steps involved in protecting your nonprofit website against cyber attacks.
Choose the Best Website Builder for Nonprofits
Choosing the appropriate website builder is key to making your nonprofit website both secure and user-friendly. Opt for sites that have in-built security features such as SSL certificates, frequent updates, and secure hosting. The best website builder for nonprofits will have features that make it easier to create and update a website and also feature strong security controls.
In addition, select a website builder with simple templates and seamless integration with donation platforms, so you can concentrate on your cause instead of technicalities. This enhances the security of your nonprofit website and a smooth experience for visitors and donors alike.
Popular website builders for nonprofits such as Ronins with security plugins or dedicated nonprofit platforms like Wix and Squarespace can help protect your site from common vulnerabilities while allowing for easy content management and scalability as your nonprofit grows.
Actionable Tip:
Research various website builders, read reviews from other nonprofits, and think about trying out a few to determine which platform has the best mix of security and accessibility for your purposes.
Keep Software and Plugins Up to Date
One of the simplest and most efficient measures to prevent cyberattacks is making sure that every piece of software, such as content management systems (CMS), plugins, and themes, is updated.
Software that is no longer current may contain weaknesses that hackers can exploit. Keeping your website’s software updated means patches or security updates are implemented, minimizing the threat of an attack.
Actionable Tip:
Enable automatic updates if possible or set a reminder to manually check for updates at least once a month.
Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication
Secure your nonprofit website by enforcing good passwords across all accounts, but certainly on those with admin access or users who hold elevated privilege roles. Good passwords should be longer than 12 characters and incorporate uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Also, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for additional security. Using 2FA, even if someone obtains a password, they would still require a second method of identification (like a code to a phone) to sign in.
Actionable Tip:
Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords. Also, encourage staff and volunteers to enable 2FA on their accounts.
Install an SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate secures the connection between a user’s browser and your site so that sensitive information (such as credit card numbers or personal data) is passed securely. SSL certificates are especially useful for nonprofit sites that process donations or store personal data.
SSL-certified websites are labeled with “HTTPS” instead of “HTTP” and show a padlock symbol in the address bar of the browser. SSL encryption does not only add security but also increases trust with your visitors.
Actionable Tip:
Purchase and install an SSL certificate from a trusted provider. Many hosting companies offer free SSL certificates as part of their hosting packages.
Regularly Back Up Your Website
Periodic backups are important to fall back on in case of cyberattacks, natural disasters, or technical mishaps. Make sure your site is backed up regularly (at least daily or weekly) and save the backups in a secure area, e.g., an offsite cloud backup solution.
Actionable Tip:
Configure automatic backups via your web hosting service or utilize a website backup plugin for your CMS. Test your backups from time to time to verify that they can be successfully restored.
Limit User Access and Permissions
Not all those who have access to your nonprofit site require full administrator privileges. There is a need to implement role-based access control (RBAC), where one is assigned only the minimum access rights required for their function.
For example, volunteers would only require view access to donation forms, but administrators would require complete access to site settings and security options.
Actionable Tip:
Regularly review user accounts and privileges, and take away access for those users no longer in need. This limits the risk of insider threats or unintended disclosure of sensitive information.
Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAF)
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) protects your site by filtering and keeping watch over HTTP traffic between your site and the outside world. It defends against standard cyberattacks, including SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. WAFs can be installed at the server level or as a third-party service, adding an extra layer of protection.
Actionable Tip:
Invest in a reputable WAF provider that offers real-time threat monitoring and automatic protection against common attack vectors.
Monitor and Respond to Security Threats
Security is a constant process. Make sure to monitor your website regularly for any indications of suspicious activity, including odd login attempts, file modifications, or unauthorized access. Implement notifications for any possible security breach and have an action plan in place to counter threats immediately.
Actionable Tip:
Use website security plugins that offer real-time scanning and alert features, such as Wordfence for WordPress. Monitor website logs and implement intrusion detection systems if possible.
Educate Your Team on Cybersecurity
Human error is often the weakest link in website security. Make sure your nonprofit’s employees, volunteers, and partners are trained on fundamental cybersecurity principles, including how to identify phishing scams, steer clear of unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, and use strong, unique passwords.
Actionable Tip:
Provide regular cybersecurity training and resources for your team, especially for those who handle sensitive data or manage the website.
Secure Your Domain Name and Hosting Account
Securing your domain name and hosting account is just as important as protecting your website. Make sure your hosting company and domain registrar implement robust security practices, including encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Securing these accounts stops hackers from hijacking your site or routing traffic to sites with malicious intent.
Actionable Tip:
Choose a reputable domain registrar and hosting provider that offers strong security features, such as domain locking and MFA.
Implement Anti-Malware and Anti-Virus Protection
Viruses and malware will destroy your nonprofit site, hack sensitive information, or even force it to shut down. Plug in anti-malware protection or utilize an anti-malware service that scans your website for malicious codes or vulnerabilities now and then.
Actionable Tip:
Use security tools like Sucuri or SiteLock to scan your website for malware and vulnerabilities. Regularly schedule scans to ensure ongoing protection.
FAQs
1. Why is cybersecurity important for nonprofit websites?
Cybersecurity protects sensitive data like donor information and ensures your nonprofit’s reputation remains intact. Without proper security, your website could be vulnerable to data breaches or hacking attempts.
2. How often should I update my nonprofit website’s software?
Software updates should be performed regularly, ideally as soon as they are released. This helps patch vulnerabilities and protect against potential cyberattacks.
3. Can I secure my nonprofit website without technical expertise?
Yes, many website builders offer built-in security features that require minimal technical knowledge. Additionally, using security plugins and automated tools can further simplify website protection.
Conclusion
As a non-profit, keeping your site secure from cyber attacks must be near the top of your to-do list so that sensitive information is kept safe, your reputation stays intact, and your mission runs uninterrupted. By keeping these best practices close at hand, updating software, maintaining robust passwords, installing SSL certificates, using firewalls, and training your staff, you can minimize the chance of being hit with a cyber attack and create a more secure online space for your donors, volunteers, and visitors.
Just recall that cybersecurity is not a once-and-done job but rather a constant process. Be proactive, stay alert, and continuously review your security practices to keep your nonprofit website protected from new threats.
