Top 5 Mistakes Organizations Are Making With Cybersecurity Right Now

Every day, nonprofit organizations across the country are doing incredible work, from feeding families to supporting education, advancing social justice, and building stronger communities. But while you're focused on your mission, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting organizations just like yours. The statistics are sobering: nonprofits experience cyberattacks at nearly the same rate as for-profit companies, yet most operate with significantly smaller IT budgets and fewer dedicated security resources. After years of working with nonprofit organizations, we've identified five critical cybersecurity mistakes that are leaving well-intentioned organizations vulnerable to devastating attacks. The good news? These mistakes are entirely preventable with the right knowledge and approach.

1. Treating Cybersecurity as an IT Problem Instead of an Organizational Priority

It's common to believe cybersecurity is only the IT person’s (or volunteer’s) responsibility, so it rarely makes it onto board meeting agendas and often sits at the bottom of the priority list until something goes wrong. But cybersecurity isn’t simply a technical concern—it’s about safeguarding donor trust, protecting beneficiaries’ privacy, and ensuring your organization can keep fulfilling its mission. When leadership isn’t engaged, policies go unenforced, training doesn’t happen, and the entire organization becomes more exposed to threats that can cost you reputation and stability.

The Solution:

Start treating cybersecurity as an organizational imperative. Bring it into board discussions, assign clear ownership for policies, and set expectations that everyone, from leadership to frontline staff, has a role in protecting your systems and data. As technology evolves at a staggering pace, cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. Introducing strong cybersecurity practices today isn’t just about keeping your organization safe in the present—it’s about positioning your organization to adapt to future advances in cyber attacks. By embedding security into your culture and operations now, you’ll build resilience, strengthen trust with your stakeholders, and ensure you’re ready to face the challenges of an increasingly digital world.

2. Relying on Default Passwords and Weak Authentication

Many organizations end up using simple passwords, reusing them across systems, or leaving default credentials unchanged on new devices and software due to competing priorities and limited time. Staff members juggling multiple responsibilities may feel that managing secure passwords is just another burden in an already full workload. Unfortunately, over 80% of successful cyberattacks involve compromised credentials, including passwords. Once attackers gain access to even a single account, they can often move laterally through your systems, consequently reaching donor databases, financial records, and other sensitive information.

The Solution:

Adopt multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible and implement a password manager. These tools are not just for tech companies; they’re practical, user-friendly solutions that can prevent most password-related breaches. In addition to these measures, consider using advanced security software like Huntress, which proactively monitors your systems for malicious activity and alerts you to threats before they escalate. By combining strong authentication practices with proactive threat detection, you build a layered defense that keeps your data secure and your team confident in their ability to respond to evolving risks.

3. Ignoring Software Updates and Patches

Let's face it, constantly updating your systems or applications can be an extensive and overlooked task, especially during peak fundraising time. However, cybercriminals actively hunt for known vulnerabilities in outdated software. By putting off updates, you’re essentially leaving your doors wide open to attackers who know exactly where to look.

The Solution:

Create a realistic update schedule that minimizes disruption but doesn’t compromise security. Plan for regular maintenance windows and communicate with your staff about why these updates matter. While updates are time-consuming, they are another barrier against cyberattacks and remain a necessary line of defense.

4. Inadequate Email Security and Phishing Awareness

It’s easy to feel confident that built-in email protections will be sufficient, and many teams simply don’t have the time or resources to train staff to spot phishing attempts. Attackers often exploit employees’ commitment to being responsive and helpful by crafting messages designed to look legitimate and urgent. Modern phishing attacks are highly sophisticated, using details from social media and websites to create convincing emails that look like they come from donors, board members, or partners. A single click can compromise your entire network.

The Solution:

Invest in regular, scenario-based phishing awareness training. Supplement this with advanced email filtering tools that detect and quarantine suspicious messages before they ever reach your staff. Consistent, hands-on training empowers your team to recognize and report threats with confidence. The more familiar employees are with real-world examples, the better equipped they’ll be to protect your organization.

5. Lack of Data Backup and Recovery Planning

It’s common to back up data less frequently than necessary or to assume that having a backup alone provides enough protection against ransomware and disasters. But many organizations never test their recovery procedures or store backups in places that are vulnerable to the same cyber attacks as their main systems. When disaster strikes, whether ransomware, hardware failure, or a natural event, they face weeks or months of downtime, and some never fully recover.

The Solution:

Implement a comprehensive backup strategy that includes frequent backups, secure off-site storage, and regular recovery testing. Ensure that backups are maintained in locations separate from your primary systems. Using secure cloud environments or reputable third-party providers helps reduce the risk of a single incident compromising all of your data. Most importantly, confirm you can restore critical systems quickly and reliably, and clearly document where your backups are stored and how they can be accessed when you need them most.

The Path Forward: From Vulnerability to Security

These mistakes might feel overwhelming, but here’s the encouraging truth: through continuous education and accountability amongst your team, cyberattacks are preventable. Don't wait until you become a statistic. Your mission is too important, and your community depends on your organization's stability and trustworthiness.

Your future self, your organization, and the communities you serve will be grateful you took action today.

Ready to Lay the Groundwork for Cybersecurity Success?

Join our July 17th webinar, There and Back Again: A Journey to Cybersecurity at 2 PM ET to discover the essential building blocks of cybersecurity frameworks and learn practical steps you can implement immediately. You'll walk away with actionable tools and expert guidance from RoundTable’s cybersecurity professionals, Destiny Bowers and Karim Beldjilali.

Your quest for a strong cybersecurity foundation begins here. Claim your place in the fellowship by registering today!

Looking for immediate support? Schedule a brief call with a RoundTable expert to get tailored advice on building strong cybersecurity policies and protecting your organization.