To stay protected, nonprofits must adopt zero-trust models, use artificial intelligence to detect vulnerabilities and run threat modeling.

Nonprofits are attractive targets for cybercrime because of the sensitive nature of data they manage. These organizations also have tight budgets and may lack a full-time cybersecurity chief on staff, which only increases their vulnerability to attacks. And with the average global cost of a data breach costing nearly $5 million, according to a 2024 report by IBM, there’s even more reason for IT leaders to take proactive action.

Here are three ways that nonprofits can strengthen their cybersecurity in 2025.

1. Adopt A Zero-Trust Model for Enhanced Security Verification

Cyberattacks occur so frequently that IT leaders must assume their environments may have already been breached. This defensive posture of cyber resilience is key.

A zero-trust model cultivates this further by requiring that all users and devices be authenticated and continuously validated via tools such as identity and access management and multifactor authentication: Never trust, always verify.

“With data spread across multiple services, devices, applications and people, it’s not enough to slap a password onto something or set up a firewall,” writes Remy Champion, a senior manager on Okta’s Tech for Good team. “Nonprofit organizations need stronger protection, and zero trust can help.”

Zero trust is not a single solution. It’s a cybersecurity architecture that takes time to build and mature. Teams can work with an expert tech partner to track progress toward zero-trust maturity.

“Successful integration of zero-trust strategies requires a cultural shift at every level of your organization,” write CDW experts John Candillo and David Lund. This starts with identity and access management but extends to data governance, backup and recovery, and securing complex cloud infrastructures.

“When done effectively, zero trust can help leaders make more strategic investments in security and more naturally achieve regulatory compliance,” CDW experts write in a separate company blog.

2. Bolster Threat Detection Checks With AI

With the dizzying volume and velocity of daily cyberthreats, it is humanly impossible for IT teams to monitor all potential risks. CISOs need superhuman capabilities, which they can find in artificial intelligence.

AI tools can help nonprofits stay ahead of evolving cyberthreats by analyzing vast volumes of data in real time, all with minimal human intervention.

“In contrast to the traditional threat detection approach, the AI-based approach can detect threats earlier in the attack cycle,” SentinelOne notes in a company blog post. “One of the most interesting features of AI threat detection is that it can automate the entire process of detecting threats, alerting security teams, and preventing additional threats.”

Teams can also train AI models to proactively remediate potential risks and scan for unusual behavior patterns. The ability of AI and machine learning to evolve with threats is especially valuable to IT leaders as bad actors modify their attack strategies.

3. Test Out Defense Strategies With Threat Modeling

Threat modeling allows IT leaders to reverse-engineer a solution to an attack. It helps teams identify what a hack might look like and create a full response plan with steps to remediate.

“It’s a lot like a fire drill, but it’s a disaster recovery drill,” Nick Suda, security solution specialist at CDW, told BizTech.

“Just as drills prepare people for emergencies, threat modeling prepares businesses for cyberthreats by asking teams to devise fast response plans and defensive strategies,” Suda writes. “It’s also a way to simulate real-time stress levels and intensity so that employees know what to expect during an attack.”

The exercise starts with identifying the most essential assets worth protecting, such as devices, data and personnel. Next, identify attack vectors, including entry points and attack methods. Finally, create hypothetical scenarios that test the system’s defenses and the organization’s response plan. With this information, IT leaders can develop a cybersecurity playbook.

“Threat modeling is not a one-time activity; it is a regular exercise,” Suda writes. “IT leaders should run these drills routinely to get familiar and note any areas that need improvement.”

Contact our team of experts to learn more about developing a comprehensive cybersecurity training program for your business.

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Published with consideration from BizTech SOURCE