Why You Are a Target: Understanding Digital Security Threats to Civil Society Organisations

Now more than ever, the vulnerability of civil society organisations (CSOs) to cyberattacks is growing at an alarming rate. As advocates for human rights, democracy, and social justice, CSOs play a crucial role in holding power to account. However, this responsibility often makes them prime targets for cyberattacks by malicious actors, from authoritarian regimes to cybercriminals seeking to disrupt or undermine their work.

This article aims to shed light on why as a civil society organisation, you are a target for digital threats/attacks, and what you can do to enhance your security.

The Value of Information

Your organisation typically handles sensitive information, including personal data of beneficiaries, confidential communication with partners, and records of your advocacy efforts. Such data is valuable for multiple reasons:

  • Surveillance and Monitoring: Authoritarian regimes may seek to monitor CSO activities, especially those advocating for political freedom, democracy, or human rights. Access to sensitive communications can provide insight into strategy, collaborators, and supporters.
  • Blackmail or Intimidation: Leaking or exposing sensitive data can lead to public embarrassment or internal disputes, weakening your organisation’s ability to operate effectively.
  • Identity Theft and Fraud: Financial data, personally identifiable information, and private contact details can be used for fraudulent purposes, endangering both your organisation and its stakeholders.

Influence Over Public Perception

Civil society organisations often influence public opinion and advocate for societal change. Disinformation campaigns, especially on social media, are a growing tool used by malicious actors to discredit your organisation and the work you’re doing. Cyberattacks such as defacement of websites, hijacking of social media accounts, or spreading fake news can erode public trust in an organisation.

Why does this happen?

  • Undermining credibility: A CSO’s legitimacy can be seriously damaged if its website or social media accounts are compromised, spreading false or harmful information.
  • Silencing dissent: Disinformation campaigns can drown out critical voices that challenge existing power structures.

Disrupting Operations

As a CSO, you are most often operating with limited resources, making you vulnerable to disruptions that larger corporations can absorb more easily. A well-timed cyberattack can paralyse your organisation’s operations:

  • Ransomware attacks: These lock organisations out of their own systems, demanding payment to restore access. Such attacks can halt your operations and cause significant financial strain.
  • Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks: These overload your organisation’s online services, causing your website or other digital services to become unavailable, limiting your ability to share critical information or receive donations.

Advocacy and Political Stance

Many civil society organisations challenge powerful groups, governments, or corporations, making them politically vulnerable. Digital threats can come from state actors, politically motivated groups, or private entities that see your organisation’s work as a threat to their interests. The digital world has become a battleground where state actors, especially those in repressive regimes, attempt to silence activists, journalists, and human rights defenders.

Examples of politically motivated attacks include:

  • Phishing campaigns: Malicious emails that mimic trusted sources, tricking users into divulging sensitive information or installing malware.
  • Targeted surveillance: State-sponsored cyberattacks may aim to infiltrate an organisation’s network to gather intelligence or manipulate their activities.

Weak Security Posture

Due to limited budgets and staffing, CSOs often lack robust cybersecurity measures. This makes your organisation an attractive target for attackers, who perceive your organisation as a ‘low-hanging fruit’:

  • Outdated software: Lack of regular software updates can leave CSOs vulnerable to known exploits.
  • Limited training: Without regular digital security training, staff and volunteers may unknowingly click on malicious links, use weak passwords, or fail to recognise phishing attempts.
  • Lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA adds a second layer of protection, but many organisations have not yet implemented it, leaving accounts vulnerable to hacking.

Association with High-Profile Partners

Many CSOs collaborate with larger international organisations or governments. As a result, malicious actors may target CSOs as an entry point to gain access to larger institutions, compromising their networks as well. Attackers often see smaller CSOs as a ‘weak link’ in the security chain, enabling them to access more prominent organisations through these partnerships.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Organisation

Understanding that you are a target is the first step in strengthening your digital resilience. So now that you are equipped with this information, here are key actions you can take to safeguard your organisation:

Invest in Security Awareness Training: Regularly train staff and volunteers to recognise phishing attempts, use strong passwords, and be mindful of digital hygiene.

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Ensure that all accounts, especially those with sensitive information, have MFA enabled. This adds an extra layer of security.

Regular Software Updates and Patching: Ensure that your systems and applications are up to date, patching any vulnerabilities as soon as they are identified.

Backup Critical Data: Regularly back up your data to offline or cloud-based services, ensuring you can recover quickly in the event of an attack.

Conduct Regular Security Audits: Periodically assess your digital security posture to identify weaknesses and address them promptly. If you don’t have the expertise to handle this, you can easily reach out to organisations like Resilience Technologies.

Limit Access to Sensitive Information: Only give access to critical data to those who need it for their roles, and ensure strict controls on how that information is shared.

Use Encrypted Communication Tools: Whether it’s emails or messaging apps, make sure your communications are encrypted to prevent eavesdropping by malicious actors.

 

Civil society organisations are on the frontlines of change, advocating for justice, human rights, and social progress. However, this role also puts you at heightened risk of digital attacks. Being proactive in understanding the risks and taking steps to fortify your digital security is crucial for safeguarding your mission, and protecting the vulnerable communities you serve.

The digital battlefield is constantly evolving, but with the right tools, strategies, and awareness, CSOs can remain resilient and continue to fight for a better world.