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An All-Too Common Scenario You hear a new story almost every day. Cybercriminals use social engineering to bypass technology safeguards and security protection to infiltrate email systems, bank accounts, credit card accounts, member databases, and other areas containing sensitive data. The criminals then utilize the data to steal money and identities, create access for future…

The unfortunate truth is that cyber criminals are getting smarter and sneakier with their attacks, and we have seen an increase in phishing emails preying on churches specifically as of late. These cyber criminals are smart, and they know that churches are “in the business” of caring for and helping people. They create false scenarios…

During these unprecedented times of “social distancing,” “shelter-in-place,” and “stay-at-home” orders, everyone is having to learn or experiment with new technology and work habits. For many people, this will mark their first exposure to remote work and virtual settings. With these new realities comes a need to not only remember a few fundamental security tips,…

Cybercrime and the threats and risks associated with various types IT security breaches are a real and growing trend.  And while churches are a chosen target of this trend, too many churches are simply not prepared to protect themselves against cyberattacks. The bottom line is that IT security is one of the most important considerations for any…

Today, IT security and cybercrime are topics that relentlessly demand the attention of anyone charged with the leadership of a church, ministry, school, business, or any other type of organization. The threats and risks associated with cyberattacks are real and growing. It should no longer surprise anyone in church leadership that churches are a chosen target of…

It is no secret that we live in a “mobile” world. Our expectations for the availability of connectivity and robust computing power continue to extend to more types of devices, in ever smaller forms that travel with us wherever we go. And we expect all of them to connect seamlessly with all the other devices…

These days it seems we can’t go even one week without hearing about another data breach or leak of our personal information. And all too often, these data dumps include very personal information as well as our email addresses, usernames, and even our passwords. But how do IT security researchers find out about these breaches and recapture the data that has been stolen? They…

While not always understood as such, content filtering is a critical security component of technology environments in churches, ministries, schools, and almost every other organization as well. While your church has probably implemented some content filtering by now, you may not understand the breadth of security benefits it can provide.   What is Content Filtering,…

What do you do when you have work to do and can’t make it into the church office? How do you gain access to the church files or systems you need to use so that you can do your job from home or other locations outside the church? These are very common questions posed by…

Throughout the series of articles that we have been posting on the blog in 2019, we have referred to the increasing intensity, frequency, and sophistication of the cybersecurity threats that churches are battling. Given the type of personal data maintained by churches, whether in their church management system (ChMS) or other data sources, churches are…

A Consistent Patching Process is Vital to the Security of your Church Technology Network Humans are fantastic examples of God’s creativity and design. As evidence of this fact, humans are capable of creating magnificent, complicated masterpieces like beautiful works of art or…computer software. Yep, computer software. You may never have considered computer software in the…

In other posts covering the security of your church’s information technology infrastructure, we have covered topics such as multi-factor authentication, UTM firewalls, email security practices, password management, security training, and the implementation of documented security policies. Even if all of these policies are observed conscientiously, there are still opportunities for cybercriminals to wreak havoc on…

It is not news to most church staff (or almost anyone else in the developed world) that the instance and potential impact of cyber-attacks is expanding at an exponential level. Not only are churches not immune from this trend, but, with increasing regularity, they are a chosen target of this trend. This heightened cyber threat environment presents…

The discussion of technology security goes beyond cybercrime and hacking. It also must focus on the backup of important technology data and assets. The importance of data backup is not a new idea. Churches and other organizations have long recognized the importance of backing up their critical data. Your important church data resides in several…

You may be familiar with some version of an all too common nightmare email story. A trusted manager receives an urgent email requesting immediate action. Their superior is traveling, does not have cell service, and is unable to connect to the financial accounts or systems. An important payment to a partner, missionary, or vendor is…

I’m sure everyone can find traffic laws to be frustrating at times. What if you knew that there were no consequences for speeding or running a stop sign? Most of us would probably do it when we thought we could safely. However, that would very likely result in many wrecks, injuries, and worse! If there…

Imagine that you have installed the most expensive, state-of-the-art security system available to protect your home. A technology marvel, it combines heat sensors, motion detection, hair-trigger alarms, sophisticated locks, intrusion barriers—the whole works. It is a system capable of frustrating and bewildering the most seasoned criminal. But such a system can actually be defeated quite…

IT Security Assessments: Why? Most states require yearly safety inspections for vehicles to ensure that they are safe for operation. When driving a compromised car, you pose a potential danger to not only yourself but also to those who share the road with you. Safety inspections often uncover issues of which the driver is completely…

Cybersecurity rightfully occupies a spot at the forefront of the news today and is a topic of great concern for leadership in churches, ministries, businesses, and organizations of every kind. The concept can be overwhelming to many, and unfortunately, too many churches do not have a comprehensive strategy in place to prevent attacks from those…