Managing your association’s day-to-day operations is nearly impossible without relying on technology. Think about the number of emails you send daily — now imagine weekly! Or consider the sheer number of sporadic Google searches you make. That’s not to mention the countless routine submissions or requests you handle to meet member needs.
It goes without saying: It’s a digital world, and we’re all just living in it.
When thinking about communicating with your staff and members, let alone achieving your associational goals, could you do it without tech solutions or digital access? The answer is likely “No!”.
But as much as digital solutions help, they come with caveats. One of them is staying on top of cybersecurity.
Protecting your association from cyberthreats isn’t merely a technical requirement — it’s a vital part of safeguarding sensitive data, upholding your reputation and maintaining member trust.
Let’s dive into why protecting your association’s digital assets is important. We’ll also check out some top threats to watch for and practical steps you can take to keep your systems secure.
[Related: Data Governance 101: The Basics of Creating Your Association’s Data Policies and Procedures]
Why Digital Protection Is Critical for Your Association
Associations often handle large volumes of various sensitive data types:
- Members’ personal information, such as home addresses and phone numbers
- Financial records, such as invoices and bank information
- Proprietary research, such as studies, surveys and reports
So, let’s say you suffer a breach. It not only jeopardizes the confidentiality of the data types above. A breach can also potentially lead to a loss in member trust, financial penalties and long-term reputational damage.
Having a solid digital protection plan in place helps your association continue operating smoothly without interruption.
Your data security plan should be unique to your association. However, all plans should prioritize a few items:
- Preventing unauthorized data access
- Protecting members’ personal data
- Ensuring regulatory compliance
[Related: Effective Change Management: What To Consider When Adapting New Technology]
What Are the Top Digital Threats to Associations?
Combating digital threats is half the battle of properly defending your association. You need to have a good idea of what you’re up against.
Here are common digital threats that your association should keep an eye on.
Phishing Attacks
A phishing attack is a type of cybercrime where attackers pretend to be a trusted source and trick recipients into sharing (often highly) sensitive information.
They usually do so by making phone calls, or sending emails, text messages or website URLs that look like they’re from trusted sources. In turn, this leads to stolen credentials, like passwords and credit card numbers, or unauthorized systems access.
Imagine receiving an email that looks like it’s from a source you know and trust. It asks you to click a link and verify information. The email may seem authentic, but the link actually takes you to a malicious website specifically designed to steal your login credentials or personal information. (Hopefully, this has never happened to you!)
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malicious software (aka malware) that hackers use to lock or encrypt your computer files, making them inaccessible until you pay a ransom.
In short, ransomware attacks are a way for cybercriminals to extort money from you by holding your data hostage. And unfortunately, they often target associations because of their large and valuable datasets.
Here’s an example. Imagine you open an email attachment that looks harmless. But suddenly your computer locks up, and a message appears demanding payment to restore access to your files.
Until you pay the ransom (often in cryptocurrency), you may be locked out of important files. These include member documents, contact records, financial information and even entire databases.
[Related: Benefits of Web3 for Associations]
Insider Threats
Insider threats are security risks that people within your association pose, such as employees, contractors, vendors and other trusted individuals with access to sensitive data.
These insiders may mishandle data or inadvertently expose your association’s systems to vulnerabilities. Sometimes it’s intentional, like stealing specific data records for personal gain. And frequently it’s unintentional, like accidentally leaking information by working on a personal laptop.
For example, your employee who has access to confidential member records downloads them and sells the data to a competitor. Alternatively, an employee may mistakenly send sensitive company information to the wrong person via email, leading to a data breach.
[Related: 9 Ways To Vet Technology Vendors]
Data Breaches
Data breaches involve unauthorized access to confidential information, leading to the theft or exposure of sensitive member details and/or financial information.
A data breach occurs when someone who isn’t authorized to do so accesses, shares or steals protected information. This typically happens through these routes:
- Hacking
- Weak security practices
- Human error
For example, an attacker hacks and leaks information online from your association’s database, which contains member credit card numbers. Your members are now at risk of identity theft and fraud — and your recovery plan must quickly kick into gear.
[Related: Is Now the Right Time To Integrate or Automate Your Association Tech?]
Weak Passwords and Poor Authentication
Weak passwords are easy-to-guess passwords that make it simpler for hackers to break into accounts.
For example, using “123456” as a password (which still happens to be one of the most common ones) for any email isn’t wise. But even if you had a stronger password, such as “one2three4five6,” a hacker could still guess or crack it and access your account without two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) in place.
Meanwhile, poor authentication refers to not using strong methods to verify a user’s identity. This can mean skipping 2FA or MFA — both of which add an extra layer of security.
The bottom line is that using simple or reused passwords, especially without some form of authentication, makes breaking in easy for hackers.
And as a likely result, you deal with potential data theft or other malicious unauthorized actions. This is more than a headache — it’s a nightmare.
Outdated Software
Outdated software refers to any application, system or device that you haven’t updated with the latest security patches or improvements. It often contains vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit to gain unauthorized access or cause harm.
With that said, regular updates fix these vulnerabilities and improve your association’s overall data security.
Imagine this: You’re using an old version of a popular web browser that you haven’t updated in months. Hackers discover a security flaw in this version, and because your browser is outdated, they exploit that flaw. In turn, you’re dealing with stolen member information or malware infections.
With that said, stay on top of new tech and software solutions!
[Related: Centralized vs. Distributed Approaches To Streamline Technology Management]
Six Key Steps To Protect Your Association’s Data
Now that you know the top digital threats your association may face, let’s explore practical and effective steps to ensure your digital security becomes (or remains) robust.
- Implement strong password policies. Encourage all members, staff and volunteers to use complex passwords that they update regularly. Apply MFA for an added layer of protection.
- Educate your team on cybersecurity best practices. Remember that one of the best defenses is a well-informed team. Regular training sessions on identifying phishing attempts, handling sensitive information and practicing safe browsing go a long way!
- Back up data regularly. Ensure your association’s data receives regularly scheduled backups and store it securely in a separate location outside your main database. This helps make sure your data isn’t lost even if ransomware or a technical issue hits.
- Use encryption for sensitive data. Encrypt sensitive member or financial data. This ensures attackers can’t read or use it without the proper decryption key, even if they intercept it.
- Update software and systems regularly. Keep your systems, software and security tools up to date to ensure you’re safe from the latest threats. This effort includes both your internal tools and any third-party platforms.
- Develop an incident response plan. Have a plan in place in case of a breach or cyberattack, despite the best defenses. Make sure your team knows what steps they’re immediately responsible for to minimize damage.
Being proactive is the name of the game in terms of protecting your digital assets. With a plan in place, you set yourself up for smooth daily operations while maintaining that member trust you’ve worked so hard to gain.
Remember, a well-secured association is the best kind of association.
[Related: Aligning Technology With Organizational Goals Beyond the IT Department]
Don’t Wait for a Breach — Take Action and Call Dennison & Associates
Because digital threats are so common and constantly evolving, staying ahead of the curve is key.
But protecting your association with strong cybersecurity practices isn’t just about compliance (although that’s important). It’s also about making sure your organization can continue serving your members effectively and confidently.
However, we understand that running your association is demanding, time-consuming work … and staying on top of cybersecurity certainly isn’t easy. That’s where Dennison & Associates comes in.
We’re here to keep you informed about the latest association tech, guide you toward the right tools to invest in and help educate your team on the latest, safest digital practices. Contact us today if you need to keep your association safer and more successful — we’re eager to get started.
Featured image via Pexels
