In order to work as a team the board members of nonprofit organizations need tools to facilitate communication. They frequently deal with sensitive data that could be a disaster in the improper hands and must be kept secure. Despite the widespread use of digital communications like email, texting and messaging apps, these are not secure enough to be used for board business, making boards open to cyberattacks.
Nonprofit board members are volunteers who bring a wide range of abilities, knowledge, and experience to the job. Many also have other responsibilities or careers. This can make it hard for them to communicate with each the other.
The good news is that the right technology can be of assistance. The integration of a chat, messaging and collaboration platform with board management software or a document management system can simplify the process, preventing duplication and loss of data. It can also guard against cyberattacks and safeguard confidential conversations and documents.
Volunteer board members often have access to sensitive data. Hackers target them via ransomware and phishing attacks, where they threaten to release sensitive data without payment unless a specific amount is paid. Additionally, to these risks, a board can face sanctions from the regulator and lose trust if sensitive files are accidentally shared via unsecure channels like email or on a personal device. To avoid these risks, the right solution must have strict cybercheckboxes and an audit trail to protect the integrity and confidentiality of data.