Nonprofit organizations have recently experienced a significant surge in cyber-attacks, particularly through email-based threats which have increased by 35.2% in the past year. These attacks have been targeting sensitive donor data, financial transactions, and internal communications within these organizations.
A recent report by Abnormal Security has highlighted that nonprofits have become desirable targets for cybercriminals due to their limited cybersecurity resources, high-trust environments, and frequent financial transactions. Attackers are taking advantage of these vulnerabilities to execute business email compromise (BEC) and vendor email compromise (VEC) schemes, manipulating employees into redirecting funds or sharing confidential information.
The rise in cyber-attacks against nonprofits can be attributed to the growing sophistication of social engineering tactics employed by cybercriminals. These tactics involve crafting highly targeted phishing emails that circumvent traditional security filters, often pretending to be donors, regulatory agencies, or partner organizations. The increased utilization of digital fundraising platforms and online collaboration tools has broadened the attack surface for cybercriminals.
Credential phishing attacks, which allow cybercriminals to obtain login credentials and infiltrate donor databases, have surged by 50.4%. By gaining unauthorized access to these systems, criminals can compromise internal communications, engage in financial fraud, or sell sensitive data on the dark web. Nonprofits are particularly vulnerable to these attacks due to their reliance on volunteers and external partners who may not have received formal cybersecurity training.
In addition to credential phishing, malware attacks have also seen an increase of 26.2%. These attacks often involve malicious attachments disguised as invoices, grant approvals, or donor lists. Once opened, these attachments release malware that can result in ransomware incidents, data breaches, or operational disruptions.
Ransomware attacks are especially worrisome for nonprofits, as many lack the financial resources to meet ransom demands or recover from significant IT system outages. A recent high-profile attack on Ascension, a major nonprofit health system, resulted in a ransomware infection that disrupted hospital operations, caused delays in patient care, and necessitated emergency care diversions.
In light of the escalating cyber threat landscape, nonprofits are advised to implement proactive measures to protect their operations. Abnormal Security recommends the use of AI-native email security solutions, which can detect and prevent sophisticated attacks before they reach employees’ inboxes. These tools utilize behavioral analysis and machine learning to identify anomalies and prevent security breaches.
Safeguarding donor data, securing financial transactions, and upholding public trust are essential for nonprofits to continue their important work without disruption. By prioritizing cybersecurity defenses and investing in advanced technologies, nonprofits can better defend themselves against the growing onslaught of cyber-attacks.