UK Charities Are Bigger Cyber-attack Targets Than They Realise

Many charities , especially the smaller ones, fail to realise the value of the data they possess, according to a report by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Unfortunately cyber-criminals do realise the value of this data, making charities vulnerable targets.

While the average person may find it unconscionable to steal from a charity, there are a number of perpetrators looking for some financial gain, besides the typical cyber-criminal. These include:

• Suppliers and third parties– It’s common for charities to outsource the responsibilities of running, maintaining and securing their data.
• Terrorists– Terrorist group are likely to deface websites and publish victim’s personal details online, which is a process known as doxing.
• Nation states– Nation states use cyber-crime to further their agendas.
• Insiders– Disgruntled staff with access to their employer’s data may commit cyber-crimes seeking money or simply for revenge.
• Hacktivists– Hackers may target charities if they disagree with the charity’s purpose or are motivated by a specific cause.

In order to prevent cyber-criminals from accessing your charity’s valuable data, the NCSC Small Charity Guide recommends taking these precautions:

• Back up your data and protect it with strong passwords.
• Protect your organisation from malware.
• Keep your smartphones and tablets safe.

Use Strong Passwords to Protect Against Cyber-threats