To work as a unit the board members of non-profit organizations need to have easy-to-use tools to facilitate communication. They frequently deal with sensitive information that could cause a lot of damage in the wrong hands and must be kept private. Despite the widespread use of digital communications such as texting, email and messaging apps, they are not secure enough for board business and expose boards to cyberattacks.
Nonprofit board members are volunteers who bring a wide range of abilities, knowledge, and expertise to their roles. They also have other jobs or careers. Being juggling these multiple commitments and obligations, however, can make it difficult for them to maintain consistent communication with one another.
The good news is that the right technology can be of assistance. Integrating a chat, message and collaboration platform with a board management system or a document system can reduce the time spent, preventing duplication and loss of data. It can also guard against cyberattacks and safeguard confidential conversations and documents.
Volunteer board members are often high-profile individuals with access to sensitive information. Hackers target them through ransomware or phishing attacks in which they threaten to release sensitive information without payment unless a specific amount is paid. A board could also be subject to negative consequences from regulatory authorities or loss of confidence in sensitive documents if they are accidentally shared via unsecure channels like email or a mobile device. To avoid these risks, the right solution needs to have strict cybercheckboxes and an audit trail that protects the integrity of data.