Protect your Nonprofit from Data Breach
In the wake of the recent Equifax data breach, potentially affecting 143 million consumers, your nonprofit organization must take precautionary steps to be even more vigilant regarding privacy issues. Gone are the days when “secure” internet connections prove impenetrable, especially considering the growing digital marketplace.
Whenever your network is connected to the internet, you risk a breach in privacy. Like many businesses, your nonprofit probably pays a good portion of its bills online, which automatically makes you vulnerable to potentially exposed data, including social security and tax I.D. numbers, credit card numbers, back account information, birth dates and addresses.
Implement these precautions to make your nonprofit’s computers and private information more secure:
- Lock your computer – Every time you step away from your computer – even for a few minutes – sign out. This preventative effort minimizes the threat of someone easily accessing your information.
- Disconnect from the internet – When you’re not using the internet, shut it down. Wi-fi connections make it possible for users to be online all the time, but this convenience comes with risks.
If you’re always connected, hackers or viruses scanning the network for available computers have a much better chance of finding yours. Depending on how you connect to the internet, you may need to physically turn off your computer.
Are these steps a hassle? Of course they are . . . but nothing compared to the frustration of rebuilding your identity after a breach.
- Use a Firewall – Firewalls are available as software or hardware, depending on your specific needs. Both versions offer advantages and disadvantages. Most importantly, using a firewall at all is far more important than which firewall to use.
- Evaluate your security settings – Most software comes with a variety of features to simplify your functionality and efficiency. However, the price for many of these conveniences is a decrease in your security settings. Always reevaluate your security settings when installing or upgrading software.
- Invest in a credit monitoring service – If you opt to sign up for credit monitoring, consider paying for a third-party service versus the free monitoring. Independent monitoring companies tend to track more sources to spot suspicious activity and notify you of a breach immediately.
With data breaches on the rise, you must remain vigilant to online security threats. The crooks never stop perfecting their craft. To prevent a potentially harmful privacy issue affecting your nonprofit, invest in evaluating your strategy for data safety.
If you need an accounting and stewardship service you can always depend on to make your security a priority and answer your financial management questions, contact the OSA&C team at 904-398-4747 or Lynn@onlinestewardship.com.
