In today’s world, cybercriminals are constantly on the lookout for new ways to exploit individuals and organizations. While cyber-attacks on large corporations get a lot of attention, non-profits and educational institutions are just as vulnerable to cyber threats. Being proactive about cybersecurity is especially important for these organizations as they often handle sensitive data such as donor and student information. One area where non-profits and educational institutions need to be particularly vigilant is in protecting themselves from cybersecurity threats in SMS. In this blog post, we’ll explore some common threats to SMS security and provide tips for how non-profits and educational institutions can safeguard their data from these attacks.
Educate your staff: One of the biggest threats to SMS security is human error. Your staff can unintentionally put your organization at risk by clicking on suspicious links, giving out sensitive information, or using weak passwords. Therefore, it’s important to educate them about the potential threats and provide training on safe practices. Teach them about the importance of strong passwords, not clicking on links from unknown sources, and avoiding using public Wi-Fi for anything sensitive.
Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your SMS by requiring a code in addition to your password to access your account. This makes it much more difficult for cybercriminals to gain access to your SMS, even if they’ve somehow acquired your password. There are plenty of free two-factor authentication apps available, like Google Authenticator, that can help you set this up. Consider implementing two-factor authentication for your SMS accounts to protect your data.
Implement SMS firewalls: SMS firewalls are similar to the firewalls your computer may have, but they protect your SMS from malicious content instead of your computer from viruses. SMS firewalls can detect and block anything suspicious, which can range from spam messages to more sinister threats such as malware that can steal data from your SMS. Consider implementing an SMS firewall to help protect your organization from these types of threats.
Monitor your network: Monitoring your network is a crucial part of staying ahead of cybersecurity threats. Non-profits and educational institutions often don’t have the same resources as large corporations when it comes to network monitoring, but there are still a few things you can do. Consider setting up alerts when suspicious activity is detected, regularly checking your network activity logs, and investing in a good antivirus software.
Follow best practices: Finally, there are a few best practices that everyone can follow to help protect themselves from cybersecurity threats. Some of these practices include regularly backing up your data, keeping your software up to date, and using strong passwords that are different for each of your accounts. By following these best practices, you’ll create a more secure environment for your organization.
Non-profits and educational institutions are just as vulnerable to cybersecurity threats as large corporations. They need to be proactive about cybersecurity to protect their sensitive data from cybercriminals. This means educating staff, implementing two-factor authentication, using SMS firewalls, monitoring your network, and following best practices. By following these tips, non-profits and educational institutions can reduce their risk of a cybersecurity attack and protect their valuable data.
