Key Nonprofit Cybersecurity Statistics in 2025

Nonprofit cybersecurity statistics show that operational security should be a top concern for any organization that needs to maintain donor trust and stakeholder support while safeguarding their operations from data breaches. Nonprofit organizations face a unique set of technology challenges that make cybersecurity measures especially important, such as protecting sensitive donor information and following strict compliance regulations.

Current Cybersecurity Statistics for Nonprofits

Cyber threats are very real concerns for nonprofits because these problems can jeopardize their operations, donor relationships, and compliance procedures. However, most nonprofits find themselves unprepared for the cybersecurity challenges they face. The stats are unfortunately sobering, with many nonprofits lacking in basic security measures. Understanding some key nonprofit cybersecurity statistics can provide actionable insights that will help you protect your organization, staff, donors, and beneficiaries from threats.

Statistic	Details
Nonprofits experience an average of 1,636 cyber attacks per week.	Cyber attacks are not a rare occurrence for nonprofits—they are a persistent and constant threat that can only be kept at bay with a dynamic and responsive approach to cybersecurity. Real-time threat detection, regular software updates, and responsive countermeasures are required to protect your organization’s data.
27% of nonprofits have already experienced at least one cyber attack.	Nearly 1 in 3 nonprofits have already experienced the reality of cyber threats. Nonprofit organizations are often targeted because they have limited security infrastructures and because the data they store—like financial data and donor records—is so valuable. Strengthening your organization’s defenses and security protocols is essential.
32% of nonprofits lack a clear website security plan.	A website security plan is critical for any nonprofit because it includes protocols for updating donation platforms, monitoring suspicious activity, and implementing data encryption methods. Without these precautions, nonprofits leave themselves open to attacks on donor data and other sensitive information.
15% of organizations do not have an SSL certificate on their website.	SSL certificates encrypt the data exchanged between a user’s web browser and your website, protecting it from hackers. Without an SSL certification, you not only risk data security, but you can potentially erode trust with donors as well, who may hesitate to provide donations through an unsecured website. In fact, many web browsers actively block sites without SSL certificates in order to protect users.
35% of nonprofit leaders admit they are unprepared for cybersecurity challenges.	How should a nonprofit respond to a cyber attack? Many nonprofit leaders aren’t actually aware of cybersecurity risks or how to properly respond to them. Cyber attacks are stressful in any circumstance, but when an organization is unprepared, a breach can completely shut down operations until the problem is resolved.
31% of nonprofit managers say they don’t understand key cybersecurity risks.	Lack of preparation typically stems from a lack of awareness about cybersecurity risks. From nonprofit leaders to staff to volunteers, cybersecurity education and training is a key part of safeguarding your organization’s data.
95% of data breaches are caused by human error.	This statistic further highlights the need for ongoing education and training on the topic of cybersecurity. If your staff doesn’t understand data handling protocols or privacy regulations, the chance for errors and breaches increases significantly.

Sources: Nonprofit Tech for Good Report and ThoughtLab Cybersecurity Report

Common Nonprofit Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities

Nonprofits often face specific cybersecurity vulnerabilities due to their unique operational and budgetary constraints, as well as the nature of the data they handle. Because of this, nonprofit organizations can benefit from key IT services that will safeguard their operations.

Vulnerability	Description	Targeted IT Solution
Limited Cybersecurity Funding	Nonprofits often operate with tight budgets, making it difficult to allocate sufficient funds for robust cybersecurity measures.	Nonprofits need cost-effective cybersecurity packages tailored to their specific needs, including scalable solutions that can grow with their organization.
Insufficient Training	Staff and volunteers may lack knowledge about cybersecurity protocols, increasing the risk of breaches due to human error.	Comprehensive training should be part of any IT support plan, educating staff and volunteers about best practices.
Outdated Software and Hardware	Due to lack of resources, nonprofits may lack updated technology that could protect their systems from cyber attacks.	Work with a managed IT service that includes regular updates and maintenance to ensure you’re getting the most up-to-date protections.
Weak Access Controls	Out of date passwords and lack of authentication protocols can leave your systems vulnerable to security breaches.	Implement strong password policies, multifactor authentication, and role-based access controls to limit risks.
Insufficient Data Encryption	Sensitive data needs to be properly encrypted to prevent it from being accessed by unauthorized parties.	Have an IT support team set up measures to encrypt data at multiple points to ensure it’s protected at all times.
Dependency on Third-Party Vendors	External services can be a great option for nonprofits, but they may not follow proper security protocols.	Have an IT consultant evaluate all of your third-party services to make sure they comply with the highest security standards.
Lack of Cybersecurity Policy	Without a formal policy, it can be difficult to maintain and enforce uniform security practices throughout your organization.	Get assistance in developing and implementing a formal policy that includes clear guidelines and cybersecurity procedures.
Inadequate Incident Response Plans	Many nonprofits are simply not prepared to handle cyber threats, which often makes the impact of these incidents much worse than it needs to be.	Develop clear response plans so your nonprofit can quickly react and recover from cybersecurity incidents.
Mobile and Remote Working Risks	Remote work environments require more stringent security controls because data is being stored and used in multiple locations.	Use secure VPNs and endpoint protection systems to ensure mobile and remote environments are adequately protected from cybersecurity risks.

Hidden Costs of Cyber Attacks on Nonprofits

The impact of nonprofit cybersecurity incidents can be extensive and damaging, affecting everything from donor trust to financial viability. Your day-to-day operations and your organization’s reputation are at serious risk when faced with a cyber attack. Here are some hidden costs you may not have considered:

Hidden Cost	How It Can Affect Your Nonprofit
Financial Loss	Nonprofits often operate on tight budgets and limited financial resources. Cybersecurity incidents can lead to significant financial losses due to costs associated with responding to breaches, which can include IT remediation, legal fees, fines for compliance failures, and public relations efforts. If financial data or donor information is compromised, you may also face a decrease in donations and funding opportunities.
Loss of Donor Trust	Donors are the lifeblood of most nonprofit organizations, and a cybersecurity breach can negatively impact their trust. If donors don’t feel safe giving you their sensitive information such as credit card details, they may choose to stop donating. Restoring trust after such incidents is generally much more difficult than earning it in the first place.
Operational Disruption	A cyber attack can disrupt normal operations, impacting a nonprofit’s ability to deliver services. For example, your staff can get locked out of vital systems, making it impossible to access important data about ongoing projects. This disruption not only interferes with day-to-day tasks, but can cause significant delays in critical initiatives.
Regulatory and Legal Consequences	Nonprofits are subject to various compliance regulations, one of the most important being data protection and privacy. Cybersecurity breaches can result in non-compliance with laws such as HIPAA and others, depending on the nature of the data compromised. Non-compliance carries hefty consequences, such as legal fines, litigation, and corrective measures, which puts a further strain on your already limited resources.
Reputational Damage	A nonprofit’s reputation affects its ability to garner support, secure funding, and reach more donors. If your reputation is tarnished by a cybersecurity breach, your organization can lose the support of stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the general community. Rebuilding a reputation after such an event can be an uphill battle that requires time, resources, and strategic outreach.
Impact on Staff and Volunteers	In addition to how a cybersecurity attack affects the morale of your staff, their information can also be compromised during a breach, leading to additional strain on your staff both at home and at work.
Focus Shifts from Mission	Responding to and recovering from a cybersecurity crisis often requires a nonprofit to divert time and resources to dealing with the problem rather than fulfilling its mission.

Tardigrade Technology’s Cybersecurity Solutions for Nonprofits

Tardigrade Technology understands the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by nonprofits. Like the resilient tardigrade, we want your nonprofit to thrive through every challenge, so we offer customized cybersecurity packages that will keep your organization safe from modern threats.

Our cost-effective plans include training and support to make sure your staff and volunteers have the information they need about best practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts and securely managing donor data.
We can even help your nonprofit develop and implement cybersecurity policies to help you maintain consistent security practices across your organization.
We’ll evaluate any third-party services you use to ensure they meet your cybersecurity standards, and we’ll create a response plan to make sure you’re prepared with clear steps to take in the event of a security breach.
We also provide continuous monitoring of your systems to detect and respond to threats in real-time so you never have to worry about being caught off-guard.

With Tardigrade Technology, you’re not just getting an IT provider—you’re gaining a partner dedicated to supporting your mission and the integrity of your nonprofit. We invite you to reach out to learn more about how our cybersecurity solutions can be tailored to fit your needs.