Following Charity Fraud Awareness Week 2022, figures show that one in eight charities have experienced some form of cyber crime in the last 12 months.
The most common attacks were reported as phishing, impersonation, and social engineering, opening customer and personal data to risk.
The move to remote working, digital fundraising, and online operations as a result of the pandemic for charities has increased the need for strong cyber security; yet only around half of charities reported viewing this as a high priority in their organisation.
To avoid falling victim to malicious cyber criminals, simple steps can be taken including regularly changing passwords, using multi-factor authentication, and training staff to spot potential risks.
Indeed, a lack of awareness among staff about how to recognise cyber threats is increasing risk, with just 24% of charities having a formal policy in place to manage threats, according to the Charity Commission.
For further guidance on managing cyber threats, please contact the NEBRC at [email protected]
To stay up to date on the current cyber threat landscape, sign up for our free core membership and gain access to a wealth of handy resources to help you stay safe online.
The NEBRC is a non-profit organisation that seeks to inform, educate, and support businesses in the UK on how to stay safe against digital threats through strong cyber security practices.