Cybersecurity for NGOs: Attack Prevention and Threat Response

Protect civil society organizations from cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns

Cybersecurity for NGOs: Attack Prevention and Threat Response delivers targeted security guidance for civil society organizations facing sophisticated cyber threats. Drawing on the research of Protect.ngo--including insights from the Tracer platform and direct engagement with over 600 NGOs through the Builders volunteer program--this book addresses the specific vulnerabilities facing under-resourced organizations on the front lines of humanitarian relief, human rights advocacy, and democracy protection.

The book maps the convergence of cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns targeting civil society, examining challenges including chronic under-resourcing, increasingly sophisticated attacks, and weak enforcement mechanisms in the global digital landscape. Through clear analysis and practical recommendations, it outlines actionable steps for building organizational resilience, connecting victim stories with research findings and effective cybersecurity practices.

Readers will also discover:

• Analysis of threat landscapes specific to humanitarian organizations, human rights groups, and democracy protection institutions operating globally
• Practical recommendations for building cybersecurity resilience within resource-constrained civil society organizations and nonprofits
• Strategies for addressing combined cyberattack and disinformation campaigns designed to undermine organizational trust and legitimacy
• Guidance on international collaboration frameworks and accountability mechanisms for holding attackers responsible
• Case studies and victim stories illustrating real-world impacts of cyberattacks on vulnerable communities and the organizations serving them

Cybersecurity for NGOs serves civil society organizations, donors and philanthropic foundations, policymakers, cybersecurity professionals, and researchers seeking to understand and address digital threats targeting humanitarian and advocacy groups. The book equips readers with specific strategies to protect organizations serving vulnerable populations from sophisticated cyber threats.