October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a timely reminder for Associations and not-for-profit organisations in Australia to bolster their digital defences. As the prevalence of cyber threats continues to rise, it’s crucial for member-based organisations to take proactive measures to safeguard their data and reputation. The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) received nearly 94,000 cybercrime reports in the 2022-23 financial year alone, averaging one report every six minutes. These statistics underscore the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity across all sectors, especially for those dedicated to serving professional communities.
Why Cybersecurity Matters
Associations and not-for-profits are particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals as they often handle sensitive personal data. This makes them prime candidates for data breaches, ransomware attacks and other cyber threats. The impact of a cyber incident can be devastating, leading to:
- Data breaches: Unauthorised access to personal data can result in severe privacy violations and legal consequences.
- Financial loss: Cyberattacks can drain resources, diverting funds away from essential services and programs.
- Reputational damage: Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose. A breach can erode that trust, impacting future memberships and partnerships.
Essential Steps to Enhance Cybersecurity
To mitigate these risks, it’s essential to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Here are key strategies your organisation can implement:
- Understand your risk: Take a critical look at your organisation’s data security practices. Ask yourself, how secure is your data? Is it stored in multiple places, or is there one central point of truth? Data stored overseas or frequently transferred between systems increases risk.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two forms of identification before accessing sensitive systems or data.
- Limit personal data collection: Only collect the data that is necessary for your operations. Reducing the amount of sensitive data you hold can decrease the impact of a potential breach.
- Control access to personal data: Ensure that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive information. Introduce tools and protocols that restrict access based on roles and responsibilities.
- Improve password protocols: Replace traditional passwords with passphrases—a combination of words, numbers and symbols that are easier to remember and harder to crack.
- Training and education: Most security breaches happen due to human error. Therefore, it is vital that your team remain informed and vigilant. Understanding the importance of strong passwords, recognising phishing attempts and following protocols for data protection, is your best first line of defence.
Rethinking Your Tech Stack for Enhanced Security
A common mistake many Associations make is assuming they won’t be targeted by cybercriminals. However, as the volume of data collected by your organisation grows, so does the risk. One way to reduce this risk is by rethinking your tech stack. Downloading lists to transfer between systems, transferring data via email or saving personal information to a spreadsheet, isn’t safe! The ideal tech stack isn’t a stack of disconnected tools; but rather, the Membes team propose it’s more of a hub-and-spoke model.
At the centre of this model is a single source of truth—a core system that integrates seamlessly with other specialised tools. For instance, Membes AMS can serve as this hub, connecting with platforms via the spokes when needed, such as Intuto, Webcast Cloud, Xero, Zoom and more. This approach not only enhances security but also simplifies data management and improves overall efficiency. For added flexibility an open API can ensure your “hub” can connect securely to any software, ensuring flexibility and scalability as your Association grows.
Invest in Security, Protect Your Members
Investing in cybersecurity is not just a best practice; it’s a necessity. By taking these steps, your Association can better protect itself from cyber threats, ensuring that you can continue to serve your members without disruption. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take the time to review your security measures, educate your staff, and make the necessary investments to safeguard your organisation’s future.
Your mission is too important to risk—secure it with the right tools and practices.