Keeping online information safe from abuse is not always about technology. Of course, you should have the best security solutions in play, but there are other considerations that can undermine the security of your donor data.
Start improving your donor data security with these six tips.
1. Educate the staff.
Educate everyone at your organization that they are important to information security. Teach them how to think about security and how to evaluate risks. Help them understand why processes are designed in a particular way.
2. Restrict access to your donor data.
Restrict information to those people who “need to know.” The more people with access to your donor database, the more likely it is that you will have security breaches.
3. Limit data collection to what you really need.
Don’t collect information you do not need. You do not need a donor’s social security number. You can create your own membership numbering system instead
4. Install multi-layers of protection.
Install several layers of security. Put your donor database server in a locked room. Install a firewall on the server, and have password-controlled access.
5. Keep up with security issues.
Keep up with security technologies and procedures. Review yours regularly, shut down old systems, and keep software patches up to date.
6. Protect donor data but don't hoard it.
Don’t always say no to requests for your information. Your staff need to be able to do their jobs, so help them get to the info they need. If not, they will simply find ways to get around your security measures. Balance security with appropriate openness.
