Tag Archives: Not for Profit

Navigating Cyber Risk 

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In the ever-evolving digital landscape, understanding and managing cyber risks has become a paramount concern for CEOs and board members of medium-sized businesses. 

Cybersecurity is no longer a domain relegated to IT departments, it’s a strategic business imperative that requires top-level attention and decision-making.

The first step in managing digital risk is identifying it. 

Many businesses operate without a clear understanding of their digital vulnerabilities, whether it’s unprotected customer data, outdated security systems, or staff untrained in cyber threat recognition. 

If you don’t know what your risks are, how can you effectively manage them?

Once risks are identified, they can be managed through various strategies: accepting, avoiding, transferring, controlling, or monitoring the risk. 

Accepting the risk is a conscious decision, often made when the cost of mitigating the risk outweighs the potential loss. 

Avoiding the risk might involve changing business processes or terminating certain risky operations. 

Transferring the risk, typically through insurance, is a common tactic, especially for risks with high potential losses. 

Controlling the risk involves implementing measures to minimize the likelihood or impact of a risk. 

Lastly, monitoring the risk is crucial, as the digital threat landscape is continuously changing.

For medium-sized businesses, where resources may be more limited than in large corporations, the challenge is to balance these strategies effectively. 

This requires a nuanced understanding of the business’s digital footprint and the potential impact of cyber threats.

The responsibility of understanding and managing cyber risks lies with the top leadership. 

It’s a strategic function that goes beyond mere compliance, it’s about safeguarding your business’s future in an increasingly digital world. As a CEO or board member, the onus is on you to lead this charge, ensuring your business is resilient against the cyber threats of today and tomorrow.

𝐑𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥!

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Ever watched a play where actors flawlessly recite lines, embody characters, and captivate you with their performance?

It’s mesmerizing, right?

But what you don’t see are the countless rehearsals, the forgotten lines, and the tripping over props.

All of that happens behind the scenes.

By the time they’re on stage, they’ve mastered their act.

Enter the world of tests and trials in cybersecurity!

Annoying?

Absolutely.

As vexing as an actor forgetting lines for the tenth time.

But oh, so necessary.

Because when the actual cyber threats try to Gatecrash our systems, we want to be ready, not left fumbling for our lines or our defences.

Sure, in our ‘rehearsals’, things can go awry.

Unexpected glitches pop up, simulations may unveil problems we never considered.

A little chaos here, a little mayhem there.

But isn’t that the point?

To stumble, fall, and rise before the final act?

So, the next time a cybersecurity drill feels like a bothersome rehearsal, remember this: better a hiccup in practice than a disaster during the live show.

After all, in the grand theatre of cybersecurity, we’re aiming for a standing ovation, not stage fright! 

How does/would an Australian nonprofit organisation know what happened in a cyber event?

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When a nonprofit organization in Australia experiences a cyber event, it is essential to determine what happened and how the incident occurred.

This process is known as a post-incident analysis or investigation.

Here are some steps that nonprofits can take to determine what happened in the event of a cyber event:

❌ Identify the cause:

Nonprofits should work to identify the cause of the cyber event, including whether it was the result of a human error, a technical vulnerability, or a malicious attack.

This may involve reviewing system logs and other data sources.

❌ Analyze the impact:

Nonprofits should analyze the impact of the cyber event, including what data was compromised, what systems were affected, and what operational and financial losses were incurred.

❌ Collect evidence:

Nonprofits should collect evidence related to the cyber event, including system logs, network traffic data, and any other relevant data sources.

This evidence can be used to determine the cause of the incident and identify potential culprits.

❌ Conduct a root cause analysis:

Nonprofits should conduct a root cause analysis to determine the underlying cause of the cyber event.

This may involve reviewing policies and procedures, as well as conducting interviews with staff.

❌ Review security measures:

Nonprofits should review their security measures to identify any weaknesses or gaps in their defenses that may have contributed to the cyber event.

❌ Make improvements:

Nonprofits should take steps to improve their security measures and response plan to prevent future cyber events.

❌ Document findings:

Nonprofits should document their findings and any remediation efforts taken to prevent future incidents.

This documentation can be used to demonstrate due diligence and compliance with regulations.

Nnonprofits can work out what happened in the event of a cyber event by identifying the cause, analyzing the impact, collecting evidence, conducting a root cause analysis, reviewing security measures, making improvements, and documenting findings.

By taking a systematic approach to investigating cyber events, nonprofits can learn from the incident and take steps to prevent future incidents.

How does an Australian nonprofit get back to business as normal after a cyber event?

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Getting back to business as normal after a cyber event can be a challenging process for any organization, including nonprofit organizations in Australia.

Here are some steps that nonprofits can take to resume operations after a cyber event:

Restore critical systems:

Nonprofits should prioritize restoring critical systems and data first.

This may involve rebuilding or repairing IT systems and data backups.

Conduct security assessments:

Nonprofits should conduct security assessments to identify any vulnerabilities and ensure that security measures are up to date.

This may involve hiring a cybersecurity expert to perform an assessment or using a security software tool.

Communicate with stakeholders:

Nonprofits should communicate with stakeholders, including donors, partners, and staff, about the incident and its impact.

This can help maintain trust and transparency with the organization’s supporters and minimize reputational damage.

Review response plan and policies:

Nonprofits should review their response plan and policies to identify areas for improvement.

This can include revising the response plan to address any weaknesses identified during the incident.

Provide training and education:

Nonprofits should provide ongoing training and education to staff to ensure they are aware of the latest cyber threats and know how to prevent future incidents.

Monitor systems:

Nonprofits should monitor their IT systems and data for any unusual activity or anomalies.

This can help identify potential security incidents before they become major problems.

Review insurance coverage:

Nonprofits should review their insurance coverage to ensure they have adequate coverage in the event of a future cyber incident.

Recovering from a cyber event can be a complex and time-consuming process.

Nonprofits can benefit from seeking advice and assistance from cybersecurity experts and regulatory authorities to ensure they are taking appropriate steps to resume operations and prevent future incidents.

By taking proactive steps to prevent cyber incidents and being prepared to respond if an incident occurs, nonprofits can minimize the impact of cyber threats and continue to fulfill their mission.

How does a non profit organisation recover from a cyber event?

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Recovering from a cyber event can be challenging for any organization, including non-profit organizations in Australia.

Here are some steps that non-profit organizations can take to recover from a cyber event:

Containment and assessment:

The first step in recovering from a cyber event is to contain the incident and assess the damage.

This may involve disconnecting affected systems from the network and determining what data has been compromised.

Response plan activation:

Non-profit organizations should have a response plan in place for cyber incidents, which outlines the steps to be taken in the event of an attack.

This plan should be activated as soon as the incident is detected to ensure a timely and coordinated response.

Notification:

If personal data has been compromised, non-profits may need to notify affected individuals and regulatory authorities, such as the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), under the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme.

Non-profits should follow the guidelines set out by the OAIC regarding the content and timing of data breach notifications.

Communication:

Non-profits should communicate with stakeholders, including donors, partners, and staff, about the incident and its impact.

This can help maintain trust and transparency with the organization’s supporters and minimize reputational damage.

Recovery and restoration:

Non-profits should work to restore affected systems and data, including implementing data backups, patching vulnerabilities, and updating security measures.

Non-profits should also review their response plan and security measures to identify areas for improvement.

Review and prevention:

Once the organization has recovered from the cyber event, it’s important to review the incident and identify areas for improvement.

Non-profits should also take steps to prevent future cyber incidents, including implementing stronger security measures and providing ongoing training and education to staff.

Recovering from a cyber event can be a complex and time-consuming process.

Non-profits can benefit from working with cybersecurity experts and seeking advice from relevant regulatory authorities to ensure they are taking appropriate steps to recover and prevent future incidents.

Why is cyber risk management so important to NFPs?

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As non-profit organizations increasingly rely on technology to manage their operations and communicate with stakeholders, it is essential that they prioritize cybersecurity.

One aspect of cybersecurity that is particularly important for non-profits is digital asset management.

Digital asset management involves organizing, storing, and distributing digital files such as images, documents, and multimedia content.

With the increasing use of technology in the non-profit sector, it has become essential for organizations to have a system in place to manage their digital assets effectively.

However, it is important to ensure that these systems are secure to protect against cyber threats.

One way to improve the security of digital asset management is to implement access controls. This involves restricting access to digital assets to only authorized users.

Non-profits often have multiple stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries, who may need access to different types of assets.

A digital asset management system that allows for the creation of user groups and permissions ensures that only authorized users have access to specific assets, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Another important security measure is encryption.

Encrypting digital assets ensures that they are unreadable to anyone without the proper decryption key.

This is particularly important for non-profits that handle sensitive information, such as personal data or financial information.

It is also important for non-profits to regularly update their digital asset management systems and any associated software. Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, so keeping systems and software up to date helps to reduce the risk of a breach.

Non-profits should also have a plan in place for responding to cyber threats.

This includes identifying potential threats, implementing measures to prevent attacks, and having a plan for handling a breach if one does occur.

It is also a good idea to conduct regular cybersecurity training for staff to educate them on best practices for protecting against cyber threats.

Digital asset management is an important aspect of cybersecurity for non-profits.

By implementing access controls, encryption, regularly updating systems and software, and having a response plan in place, non-profits can effectively protect their digital assets and reduce the risk of a cyber attack.

By prioritizing cybersecurity, non-profits can ensure that they are able to effectively achieve their goals and serve their stakeholders without being disrupted by cyber threats.

Building cyber resilience into a business is essential in today’s increasingly digital world.

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With the increasing reliance on technology, businesses are exposed to a wide range of cyber threats, from data breaches and ransomware attacks to phishing scams and network intrusions.

It is therefore important for businesses to have a robust strategy in place to ensure that they are prepared to handle these threats and minimize the impact on their operations.

One of the key elements of building cyber resilience in a business is to ensure that the organization has strong security controls in place.

This includes implementing effective firewall and antivirus software, as well as regularly updating and patching systems to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited.

It is also important to ensure that all employees have trained on cybersecurity best practices, such as avoiding clicking on suspicious links and using strong passwords.

Another important aspect of building cyber resilience is to have a disaster recovery plan in place.

This plan should outline the steps that the organization will take in the event of a cyber attack, including how to restore systems and data, communicate with employees and customers, and maintain business operations.

It is also essential to regularly test and update this plan to ensure that it is effective and relevant.

One of the key components of a disaster recovery plan is having backup systems and data in place.

This means having copies of important data stored in a secure location, such as in the cloud or on an external hard drive, so that it can be accessed if the primary systems are compromised.

It is also important to ensure that these backup systems are regularly tested to ensure that they are functioning properly and can be accessed as needed.

In addition to having strong security controls and a disaster recovery plan, it is also important for businesses to invest in cyber insurance.

This type of insurance can help cover the costs associated with a cyber attack, including legal fees, data restoration, and business interruption.

It is important to carefully review the terms of a cyber insurance policy to ensure that it meets the needs of the organization.

Another important aspect of building cyber resilience is to have strong incident response protocols in place. This means having a team in place that is trained to handle cyber incidents and can respond quickly to minimize the impact on the organization.

This team should be trained on how to identify and contain an attack, as well as how to communicate with relevant stakeholders, such as employees, customers, and the media.

One of the most effective ways to build cyber resilience into a business is to regularly conduct risk assessments.

This involves identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities, as well as evaluating the potential impact on the organization.

Based on the results of the risk assessment, the organization can then implement measures to mitigate these risks, such as implementing additional security controls or updating disaster recovery plans.

In addition to these measures, it is also important for businesses to be proactive in their efforts to build cyber resilience.

This includes regularly updating and patching systems, conducting employee training on cybersecurity best practices, and staying informed about the latest cyber threats and trends.

By taking a proactive approach, businesses can better protect themselves against cyber attacks and minimize the impact on their operations.

In conclusion, building cyber resilience into a business is essential in today’s digital world.

By implementing strong security controls, having a disaster recovery plan in place, investing in cyber insurance, and regularly conducting risk assessments, businesses can better protect themselves against cyber threats and minimize the impact on their operations.

By being proactive and staying informed about the latest cyber threats, businesses can build a robust defense against these threats and ensure their long-term success.

Why non-profits need to invest in cybersecurity

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Cybersecurity is an increasingly important concern for all organizations, including non-profits.

In the digital age, non-profits rely heavily on technology to carry out their mission and serve their constituents, making them vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Here are seven advantages of prioritizing cybersecurity for non-profits:

⚔️ Protecting sensitive information:

Non-profits often have access to sensitive information such as donor and volunteer data, financial records, and personal information.

⚔️ Complying with regulations:

Many non-profits receive funding from government agencies or foundations that have strict requirements for data security.

⚔️ Maintaining donor and volunteer trust:

A data breach or cyber attack can damage a non-profit’s reputation and undermine the trust of donors and volunteers.

⚔️ Protecting against financial losses:

Cyber attacks can result in financial losses for non-profits, including costs associated with recovering from the attack and repairing damage.

⚔️ Enhancing employee productivity:

Cybersecurity measures can help employees work more efficiently by protecting against cyber threats and minimizing downtime due to cyber attacks.

⚔️ Increasing competitiveness:

In today’s digital age, non-profits that demonstrate a commitment to data security may have a competitive advantage over those that do not.

⚔️ Reducing insurance premiums:

Many insurance companies offer discounts to organizations that have implemented robust cyber security measures.

In conclusion, cybersecurity is an essential consideration for non-profits.

By prioritizing it, non-profits can protect sensitive information, preserve financial resources, maintain trust, enhance their reputation, facilitate collaboration, ensure compliance, and support their mission.

It is important for non-profits to assess their cybersecurity needs and implement appropriate measures to safeguard against potential threats.

Ransomware – why is it such an issue?

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In 2020 we saw a 100% increase in ransomware attacks.

In 2021 we saw a 100% increase in ransomware attacks.

Ransomware attacks are literally doubling each year.

This year can we expect any differently?

With those sorts of statistics, we should be afraid, very afraid.

But we are not.

You would think that we would be concerned.

But we are not!

In fact, in most cases, we make it overly easy for a cybercriminal to steal our stuff.

We need to look at this another way as the bad guys have changed – again.

On the internet, there is now “Ransomware as a service”.

As a criminal, If you have a little bit of money you can get a system that creates and delivers malware to anyone on the internet.

With the success of ransomware, they are guaranteed to make money.

We have to do more.

More than what we are doing because it is not good enough

We still use bad passwords.

Have you done a password review?

We have complete backups.

Have we ever tested them?

We have patched systems and operating systems.

Are there any systems that have not been patched?

How do you avoid a ransomware attack?

Do a podcast they say, it’s easy they say. Sure it is!

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Do a podcast they said, it’s easy they said!

Sure it is!

A touch of sarcasm there I am afraid.

My first idea for a podcast was to interview people who had been targeted, exploited and/or who had experienced a cyber event.

It would be full of information about, no wait…..

No one is going to talk about being breached!

That conversation, if they had lost thousands of dollars or worse closed their doors, would be way tooooo painful.

Although it would be of huge benefit to others and my target audience it would definitely be detrimental to the interviewee’s health

If they survived, talking about it would have a negative impact on their revenue, reputation and brand.

Not the best idea I have had.

Scratch that!

Second idea!

Let’s interview people in the industry.

A bit of research on the interwebs and it confirmed a long-standing realization that not-for-profit organisations, charities and small and medium businesses are treated shoddily by the cybersecurity industry.

After a couple of conversations, I soon realized that the best in cyber had very little understanding of the space that is occupied by organisations with less than 50 staff.

There are a number of people that are in the cyber industry who are wholly based in normal business and who understand cyber and smaller organisations.

I actually hope that I can interview them, but

Most do not understand the challenges and problems associated with a struggling small and medium business environment.

Where making a simple decision could mean that you have a cash flow issue, a marketing issue, a cyber problem or a going out of the business problem

So number 3 idea was born

There are two areas where everyone has problems in cyberspace.

The first are NFPs, Charities and SMEs.

Second, are the elderly and mature.

Coming soon as a podcast and video:

“Need help – ask Roger”

Cybersecurity for normal small businesses.

Some straight answers to cyber questions that the others are reluctant to answer.

A podcast about how to build resilience and security into your business from the basics up.

Get answers to the questions that you need to ask about business security

And to make myself even busier I thought,

“An old persons take on protecting their digital stuff”

The most under-protected user of the digital world are the elderly, retired and mature

This area of the population are uneducated and ill-informed but most important they are innocent to the true capability of the cyber-criminal.

This makes them the number one target for the cyber creep.

They are under constant attack through scams, extortion and fear-mongering.

Hopefully going to be launching them both this month, see lockdown has some advantages.

The first episodes of both of them went live this week all I have to do is find the URL for them

#nonprofits #smallbusiness #ExecutivesAndManagement #AccountingAndAccountants #ProfessionalWomen #ceo  #CareMIT #cybersecurity #infosec