How Secure Is Your Charity? | Charity Cyber Security Explained

Charities play a vital role in society, but they also face growing risks in the digital age. Most charities hold personal, financial, or sensitive information, rely on trust, and often operate with limited resources — all of which make them attractive targets for cybercrime.

Understanding how secure your charity really is, and how effective your charity cyber security measures are, is now an essential part of good governance.

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Why cybersecurity matters for charities

Cyber incidents don’t just cause technical disruption. For charities, the impact can include:

• Loss of access to critical systems

• Exposure of personal or sensitive data

• Service disruption for beneficiaries

• Reputational damage and loss of trust

• Increased scrutiny from regulators and funders

Trustees have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect the charity, its beneficiaries, and its data. Cybersecurity is now widely recognised as part of that responsibility.

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Key steps to improve your charity’s cybersecurity

Assess your current security measures

Start by understanding what protections are already in place. This includes:

• Network and device security

• How data is stored and accessed

• Who has access to what systems

• Whether security settings are reviewed and documented

Many charities assume systems are secure simply because “nothing has gone wrong yet” — a structured review often reveals gaps.

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Educate staff and volunteers

People are one of the most important lines of defence.

All staff and volunteers should understand:

• How to recognise phishing emails and scams

• Why strong, unique passwords matter

• How to handle personal and sensitive information

• What to do if something looks suspicious

Simple, regular awareness training can significantly reduce risk.

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Use multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Passwords alone are no longer enough.

Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection when accessing email, cloud services, or sensitive systems. It is one of the most effective and low-cost security measures a charity can adopt.

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Keep systems and software up to date

Unpatched systems are one of the most common causes of cyber incidents.

Regular updates help close known security vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of:

• Malware

• Ransomware

• Unauthorised access

This applies to computers, laptops, mobile devices, and cloud services.

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Back up critical data

Reliable backups are essential.

Regular, tested backups ensure that your charity can recover from:

• Accidental data loss

• Ransomware attacks

• System failures

Backups should be protected, monitored, and separate from day-to-day systems.

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Share knowledge and stay informed

Cyber threats evolve quickly. Engaging with trusted partners, sector bodies, and peer organisations helps charities stay informed about emerging risks and best practice.

No charity needs to face cyber risk alone.

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How common are cyber incidents in charities?

Cybercrime affecting charities is not rare.

• Around 18% of charities report losing money or data due to cyber incidents within a 12-month period

• The Charity Commission has reported that approximately one in eight charities experiences cybercrime each year

Many incidents go unreported, meaning the true figure is likely higher.

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A proportionate, practical approach

Cybersecurity does not have to be complex or expensive. What matters is taking proportionate, documented steps that demonstrate good governance and risk management.

For most charities, this means:

• Clear accountability

• Basic technical controls

• Ongoing awareness

• A trusted IT partner who understands the sector

Taking action now is far easier — and far less costly — than responding after an incident.

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