Cybersecurity should be top priority for nonprofit organizations however in many cases, it is not. Cybersecurity attacks are increasing at an alarming rate so protecting your data from cybercriminals needs to be a top priority. Malware and phishing attacks steadily increase every year, so inadequate security measures result in a greater risk of disaster.

To ensure your nonprofit is safe from cyber threats, it is important to take initiative. Below is a list of necessary actions that can enhance your company’s cybersecurity.

1) Develop a disaster recovery plan.

Team up with your IT specialists to construct a disaster recovery plan, which is “a documented, structured approach with instructions for responding to unplanned incidents.” Developing a reliable backup and recovery strategy is also imperative for organizations. Understand your backup’s capabilities and know what to do when an interruption or security breach occurs.

2) Conduct Security Awareness Training for all employees.

Nonprofits that formally train their employees dramatically reduce their risk of cyber threats. Have your training program cover a variety of subjects such as phishing, password security, desktop security, and wireless networks. Educating employees on policies and procedures may also promote a safer network and protect valuable data.

3) Test and verify existing security measures.

To help minimize cyberattacks, periodically test the effectiveness of your security measures. For example, you can check how well your employees know security policies and procedures by administering a quiz. Also, conducting mandatory annual network assessments can detect any weak points in your network infrastructure.

Taking these steps to optimize your nonprofit organization’s cybersecurity may dramatically safeguard your IT network. When it comes to protection from online harm, you can never be too safe.