Top 10 cybersecurity threats for nonprofits (and how to prevent them)

Nonprofits face unique cybersecurity threats that put donor data, financial information, and organizational operations at risk. Understanding these risks and implementing effective prevention strategies is critical for keeping your organization safe. This article outlines the top threats nonprofits encounter and practical measures, including password management, 2FA/MFA, and staff training, to help protect your nonprofit from cyberattacks.

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10 common cyberattacks against the nonprofit sector

Nonprofits face a wide range of cybersecurity threats that can compromise donor data, disrupt operations, and harm their reputation. Understanding the most common risks is essential for implementing effective protections and maintaining trust.

Here are 10 key cyberthreats every nonprofit should be aware of:

1. Phishing
2. Ransomware
3. Business email compromise (BEC)
4. Credential stuffing
5. Insider threats
6. Third-party/vendor compromise
7. Social engineering beyond email
8. Website form and donation-page skimming
9. IoT and smart-device compromise
10. Data mismanagement and accidental exposure

Phishing

Phishing is when attackers trick staff into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links, usually via email. However, there are many new varieties, including smishing (using SMS attack vectors) and quishing (posting QR codes around town and waiting for victims).

It matters because human error is the leading cause of data breaches and can give attackers direct access to systems. You can prevent phishing with security training, email filtering, and enforcing 2FA/MFA.

Ransomware

Ransomware is malware that locks systems or data until a ransom is paid. It matters because it can halt operations, cause financial loss, and compromise sensitive donor or client data. You can prevent ransomware with offline backups, system patching, and limiting privileges.

Business email compromise (BEC)

BEC occurs when attackers impersonate executives or partners to redirect funds or access information. It matters because it can lead to financial fraud and loss of trust. You can prevent BEC with approval workflows, identity checks, and domain monitoring.

Credential stuffing

Credential stuffing is when attackers use leaked passwords to access multiple accounts. It matters because reused or weak passwords make it easy for attackers to gain unauthorized access. You can prevent credential stuffing with strong passwords, password managers, and enforcing 2FA/MFA.

Insider threats

Insider threats happen when employees or volunteers intentionally or accidentally misuse access to data or systems. They matter because they can lead to data leaks, financial loss, or reputational damage. You can prevent insider threats with access reviews, limiting privileges, and user logging.

Third-party/vendor compromise

Third-party compromise occurs when attackers breach a partner or vendor to access your systems. It matters because connected vendors can introduce vulnerabilities outside your direct control. You can prevent it with vendor vetting, least-privilege access, and integration monitoring.

Social engineering beyond email

Social engineering beyond email involves attackers using phone calls, messages, or in-person tactics to manipulate staff. It matters because attackers exploit trust to gain access to accounts or sensitive information. You can prevent it with scam awareness training, identity checks, and security training.

Website form and donation-page skimming

This happens when malicious code is added to online forms to steal donor payment data. It matters because it can compromise donor trust, legal compliance, and finances. You can prevent it with site monitoring, secure gateways, and code integrity checks.

IoT and smart-device compromise

Internet of Things (IoT) compromise occurs when connected devices like cameras or thermostats are exploited by attackers. It matters because these devices can provide an entry point into critical systems. You can prevent it with network isolation, firmware updates, and disabling unused services.

Data mismanagement and accidental exposure

This happens when sensitive donor or organizational data is mishandled or stored insecurely. It matters because it increases the risk of breaches, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. You can prevent it with data encryption, retention policies, and data handling training.

26 actions nonprofits can take today to prevent cyber risks

Nonprofits can protect themselves from cyber threats by adopting a variety of security measures and best practices. Implementing these strategies helps reduce risk, safeguard sensitive data, and maintain operational continuity.

Here are 26 key prevention strategies every nonprofit should implement today:

1. Security training
2. Email filtering
3. Enforce 2FA/MFA
4. Offline backups
5. System patching
6. Limit privileges
7. Approval workflows
8. Identity checks
9. Password managers
10. Vendor vetting
11. Integration monitoring
12. Site monitoring
13. Network isolation
14. Firmware updates
15. Data encryption
16. Scam awareness training
17. Domain monitoring
18. Strong passwords
19. Access reviews
20. User logging
21. Least-privilege access
22. Secure gateways
23. Code integrity checks
24. Disable services
25. Retention policies
26. Data handling training

Security training

Security training teaches staff how to recognize and respond to cyber threats, including phishing and social engineering. It is important because human error is one of the leading causes of data breaches in nonprofits. This training helps prevent risks such as phishing attacks, insider mistakes, and credential compromise.

Email filtering

Email filtering automatically scans and blocks suspicious or malicious messages before they reach employees. It is important because email is the primary entry point for phishing, malware, and ransomware. Effective email filtering helps prevent phishing, malware delivery, and business email compromise.

Enforce 2FA/MFA

Enforcing two-factor (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security beyond passwords. It is important because stolen or weak credentials are a common attack vector. 2FA/MFA helps prevent credential stuffing, account takeover, and unauthorized access.

Offline backups

Offline backups store critical data separately from the main network and systems. They are important because ransomware and system failures can make online data inaccessible. Offline backups help prevent permanent data loss and minimize downtime during ransomware attacks or accidental deletions.

System patching

System patching involves updating software and operating systems to fix vulnerabilities. It is important because attackers exploit outdated software to gain access. Patching helps prevent ransomware, malware infections, and unauthorized network access.

Limit privileges

Limiting privileges ensures that users only have access to the systems and data necessary for their roles. It is important because excessive access increases the potential damage of mistakes or breaches. This helps prevent insider threats, data leaks, and ransomware propagation.

Approval workflows

Approval workflows require multiple steps or verifications before sensitive actions are completed. They are important because they reduce the likelihood of fraudulent or mistaken transactions. Approval workflows help prevent business email compromise, financial fraud, and accidental data exposure.

Identity checks

Identity checks verify the legitimacy of users or requests before granting access or completing actions. They are important because attackers often impersonate staff or partners. Identity checks help prevent social engineering, unauthorized access, and data theft.

Password managers

Password managers store and generate strong, unique passwords for users. They are important because weak or reused passwords are easily compromised. Password managers help prevent credential stuffing, account takeovers, and unauthorized logins.

Here are the best password managers for nonprofits.

Vendor vetting

Vendor vetting evaluates the security practices of third-party partners before integration. It is important because compromised vendors can introduce vulnerabilities to your systems. Vendor vetting helps prevent third-party breaches, data leaks, and supply-chain attacks.

Integration monitoring

Integration monitoring tracks the activity of connected systems and apps for suspicious behavior. It is important because integrations can be exploited if left unchecked. Monitoring helps prevent unauthorized access, data leaks, and malware propagation.

Site monitoring

Site monitoring checks websites and web applications for malicious changes or security issues. It is important because attackers can inject harmful code into forms, pages, or donation portals. Site monitoring helps prevent form skimming, malware injections, and reputational damage.

Network isolation

Network isolation separates sensitive systems from less secure networks. It is important because it limits the spread of attacks within an organization. Network isolation helps prevent ransomware spread, malware infections, and unauthorized internal access.

Firmware updates

Firmware updates apply security patches to devices such as routers, cameras, and IoT equipment. They are important because outdated firmware can be exploited by attackers. Updates help prevent device compromise, network intrusion, and unauthorized access.

Data encryption

Data encryption converts information into unreadable formats for unauthorized users. It is important because it protects sensitive donor and organizational information even if breached. Encryption helps prevent data exposure, theft, and regulatory compliance violations.

Scam awareness training

Scam awareness training educates staff on common social engineering tactics like phishing calls, fake emails, or in-person attempts. It is important because human behavior is often the weakest link in cybersecurity. This training helps prevent phishing, identity fraud, and financial scams.

Domain monitoring

Domain monitoring tracks your organization’s domain names for look-alike or malicious variations. It is important because attackers can use similar domains to trick staff or donors. Monitoring helps prevent phishing, business email compromise, and brand impersonation.

Strong passwords

Strong passwords are complex, unique combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols. They are important because weak or reused passwords are easily guessed or cracked by attackers. Strong passwords help prevent credential stuffing, account takeovers, and unauthorized access.

Use TeamPassword’s free password generator to automatically create strong, unique passwords for every account.

Access reviews

Access reviews regularly evaluate who has permission to access systems and data. They are important because outdated or excessive permissions increase the risk of internal mistakes or misuse. Access reviews help prevent insider threats, unauthorized access, and accidental data exposure.

User logging

User logging records user activity within systems and applications. It is important because it allows organizations to detect suspicious behavior or policy violations. User logging helps prevent insider misuse, unauthorized access, and data exfiltration.

Least-privilege access

Least-privilege access ensures users have only the permissions needed for their roles. It is important because reducing unnecessary access minimizes potential damage from attacks or mistakes. This helps prevent ransomware spread, insider threats, and accidental data exposure.

Secure gateways

Secure gateways filter network traffic to block malicious content before it reaches users. They are important because they provide a frontline defense against malware and attacks entering the network. Secure gateways help prevent ransomware, malware infections, and phishing attacks.

Code integrity checks

Code integrity checks verify that software and web code have not been altered maliciously. They are important because attackers can inject harmful scripts into applications or donation forms. Code integrity checks help prevent malware injection, data theft, and website compromise.

Disable services

Disabling unused devices or software services reduces potential attack vectors. It is important because unnecessary services can be exploited if left active. Disabling services helps prevent unauthorized access, malware propagation, and IoT compromises.

Retention policies

Retention policies define how long sensitive data is kept before secure deletion. They are important because storing unnecessary data increases risk if systems are breached. Retention policies help prevent data exposure, compliance violations, and privacy breaches.

Data handling training

Data handling training educates staff on proper collection, storage, and sharing of sensitive information. It is important because mishandling data is a common cause of breaches in nonprofits. This training helps prevent accidental leaks, regulatory violations, and donor data compromise.

Nonprofit cybersecurity threats and actions to take

Here is a summary of the 10 greatest cybersecurity threats to your nonprofit organization and how to prevent them.

Threats 1–5	Phishing	Ransomware	Business email compromise (BEC)	Credential stuffing	Insider threats
Description	Attackers trick staff into revealing information or granting access.	Malware locks systems and demands payment to restore access.	Attackers impersonate leaders to redirect payments or data.	Attackers test reused passwords from leaks to access accounts.	Staff or volunteers misuse access intentionally or accidentally.
Specificity to nonprofits	High	High	High	Medium	High
Stage of threat evolution	Established	Established	Evolving	Evolving	Established
Potential cost of risk	High	Extreme	High	High	Medium
Level of sophistication	Low	High	Medium	Low	Medium
Likelihood of success	High	Medium	High	High	Medium
Primary attack vector	Human	Technical	Human	Technical	Mixed
Attacker motivation	Financial	Financial	Financial	Financial	Opportunistic
Detection difficulty	Medium	High	Medium	Low	Medium
Impact scope	Organization	Organization	Department	Organization	Department
Actions to take	Security training; email filtering; enforce 2FA/MFA	Offline backups; system patching; limit privileges	Approval workflows; identity checks; domain monitoring	Strong passwords; password managers; enforce 2FA/MFA	Access reviews; limit privileges; user logging