Rate your cybersecurity posture out of 10: Are you protecting your association and your members?
In an era of evolving cyber threats and heightened data protection expectations, membership bodies and associations must be proactive in defending their digital assets.
How do you begin to strengthen your cybersecurity posture and protect your organisation and your members’ sensitive information? This list of actions is a good place to start:
1. Conduct a Comprehensive Risk Assessment
Begin by holistically evaluating your current security landscape. Identify critical assets: member databases, financial records, and communication platforms, and assess the threats and vulnerabilities that could impact them. Involve leadership and relevant departments to ensure a 360 degree view of your risks and priorities.
2. Centralise and Secure Member Data
Consolidate your members' data into a secure, centralised system, such as a robust association management software (AMS) or CRM platform. This reduces the number of potential breach points and makes it easier to enforce security protocols across all data.
3. Implement Strong Password Policies
Require complex, unique passwords for all accounts and systems. Weak and lax password practice is a weak point in even the most robust systems. Regularly update these passwords, and consider deploying password management tools to help staff and members maintain best practices.
4. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Add an extra layer of security by enabling MFA on all critical systems, especially those containing sensitive member data. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access, even if passwords are compromised.
5. Keep Software and Systems Up-to-Date
Ensure your operating systems, applications, and security tools are regularly updated with the latest patches. Outdated software is another common entry point for attackers.
6. Educate and Train Staff, Board, and Members
Cybersecurity is not leadership's responsibility and not IT's. It is everyone’s responsibility. Provide regular training on recognising phishing attempts, safe browsing, and secure data handling. Extend this education to board members, volunteers, agencies, and even the wider membership (like those who use your facilities for meetings) to foster a culture of vigilance.
7. Use Secure Communication Channels
Adopt encrypted email, secure messaging apps, and virtual data rooms for all sensitive discussions and data sharing. Establish clear protocols for handling and disposing of confidential information.
8. Limit Access and Apply Least Privilege Principles
Your association should restrict access to sensitive systems and data based on role necessity. A responsible owner should periodically review permissions and should promptly revoke access for departing staff or volunteers.
9. Develop and Test an Incident Response Plan
Your association should have on file a clear, actionable plan for responding to cyber incidents, perhaps as part of a wider crisis plan. Define roles, communication strategies, and recovery steps, and test the plan with regular drills to ensure readiness.
10. Align with Compliance Standards and Best Practices
Stay informed about relevant data protection regulations and industry standards. You should review your policies and controls to ensure ongoing compliance and build trust with your members.
By prioritising these steps, membership bodies and associations can build cyber resilience, protect sensitive data, and maintain the trust and confidence of their members in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
In an era of evolving cyber threats and heightened data protection expectations, membership bodies and associations must be proactive in defending their digital assets.
How do you begin to strengthen your cybersecurity posture and protect your organisation and your members’ sensitive information? This list of actions is a good place to start:
1. Conduct a Comprehensive Risk Assessment
Begin by holistically evaluating your current security landscape. Identify critical assets: member databases, financial records, and communication platforms, and assess the threats and vulnerabilities that could impact them. Involve leadership and relevant departments to ensure a 360 degree view of your risks and priorities.
2. Centralise and Secure Member Data
Consolidate your members' data into a secure, centralised system, such as a robust association management software (AMS) or CRM platform. This reduces the number of potential breach points and makes it easier to enforce security protocols across all data.
3. Implement Strong Password Policies
Require complex, unique passwords for all accounts and systems. Weak and lax password practice is a weak point in even the most robust systems. Regularly update these passwords, and consider deploying password management tools to help staff and members maintain best practices.
4. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Add an extra layer of security by enabling MFA on all critical systems, especially those containing sensitive member data. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access, even if passwords are compromised.
5. Keep Software and Systems Up-to-Date
Ensure your operating systems, applications, and security tools are regularly updated with the latest patches. Outdated software is another common entry point for attackers.
6. Educate and Train Staff, Board, and Members
Cybersecurity is not leadership's responsibility and not IT's. It is everyone’s responsibility. Provide regular training on recognising phishing attempts, safe browsing, and secure data handling. Extend this education to board members, volunteers, agencies, and even the wider membership (like those who use your facilities for meetings) to foster a culture of vigilance.
7. Use Secure Communication Channels
Adopt encrypted email, secure messaging apps, and virtual data rooms for all sensitive discussions and data sharing. Establish clear protocols for handling and disposing of confidential information.
8. Limit Access and Apply Least Privilege Principles
Your association should restrict access to sensitive systems and data based on role necessity. A responsible owner should periodically review permissions and should promptly revoke access for departing staff or volunteers.
9. Develop and Test an Incident Response Plan
Your association should have on file a clear, actionable plan for responding to cyber incidents, perhaps as part of a wider crisis plan. Define roles, communication strategies, and recovery steps, and test the plan with regular drills to ensure readiness.
10. Align with Compliance Standards and Best Practices
Stay informed about relevant data protection regulations and industry standards. You should review your policies and controls to ensure ongoing compliance and build trust with your members.
By prioritising these steps, membership bodies and associations can build cyber resilience, protect sensitive data, and maintain the trust and confidence of their members in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
