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NONPROFIT IT AND
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 CYBER TRENDS FOR 2025  5.  INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL PAYMENT SOLUTIONS                        10.               FOCUS ON DIGITAL INCLUSION


        Digital  payment  solutions  are  becoming  more  prevalent,  making  it  easier  for
        donors  to  contribute.  Nonprofits  should  integrate  various  digital  payment   Digital inclusion initiatives aim to bridge the digital divide by providing access
                                                                                          to technology and digital literacy training. Nonprofits are increasingly focusing
        options, including mobile wallets, online payment gateways, and cryptocurrency    on  digital  inclusion  to  ensure  that  underserved  communities  can  benefit  from
        donations. This not only enhances the donor experience but also increases the     their programs and services. This includes providing devices, internet access,
 Third-Party Risk Management Needs Will Drive Changes to Compliance Programs:   likelihood of receiving donations.  and training to enhance digital skills.
 A  s we move into 2025, nonprofit organizations must stay ahead of IT and   According  to  Tech  Republic,  third-party  risk  management,  supply  chain  risk   6.  REMOTE WORK AND COLLABORATION TOOLS  11.  MACS WILL BE INCREASINGLY
 management,  and  increased  oversight  and  regulatory  requirements  will  drive
 cybersecurity  trends  to  protect  their  data,  streamline  operations,  and   the  need  for  companies  to  focus  on  and  mature  their  governance,  risk,  and   The  shift  to  remote  work  has  accelerated  the  adoption  of  collaboration  tools.   TARGETED BY CYBERCRIMINALS
 enhance their impact. Here are key trends to watch:  compliance  programs.  Organizations  will  likely  shift  toward  proactive  ways  of   Nonprofits  are  leveraging  platforms  like  Microsoft  Teams,  Slack,  and  Zoom  to   Experts predict that Macs will become even more of a target for cybercriminals
 assessing and monitoring supply chains, leveraging zero-trust architectures to   facilitate communication and project management. These tools enable teams to
 1.  INCREASED ADOPTION OF CLOUD COMPUTING  verify at stages of access.  work efficiently from anywhere, ensuring continuity of operations and engagement   in  2025.  Rising  threats,  particularly  from  stealer  malware  designed  to  collect
                                                                                          sensitive  data,  are  expected  to  increase.  Nonprofits  using  macOS  should  be
 Cloud computing continues to be a game-changer for nonprofits. By moving to the   3.  ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND AUTOMATION  with stakeholders.  vigilant and implement robust security measures to protect their systems.
 cloud, organizations can reduce costs, improve data accessibility, and enhance   7.  CYBER INSURANCE  SECURITY TEAMS WILL TAKE OVER IDENTITY
 collaboration.  Cloud-based  solutions  offer  scalability,  allowing  nonprofits  to   AI and automation are transforming nonprofit operations. AI tools can analyze   12.
 adjust their resources based on demand. This flexibility is crucial for managing   large  datasets  to  provide  insights  into  donor  behavior,  predict  fundraising   As  cyber  threats  grow,  more  nonprofits  are  investing  in  cyber  insurance  to   AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT
 donor databases, financial records, and program data efficiently.  outcomes, and personalize communication. Automation can streamline repetitive   mitigate the financial impact of data breaches and cyberattacks. Cyber insurance   In 2025, responsibility for identity and access management within companies
 tasks,  such  as  data  entry  and  donor  follow-ups,  freeing  up  staff  to  focus  on   can cover costs related to data recovery, legal fees, and notification expenses.
 2.  ENHANCED CYBERSECURITY MEASURES  strategic initiatives. AI-powered chatbots can also enhance donor engagement   It provides a safety net, allowing nonprofits to recover more quickly from cyber   is expected to shift from IT departments to security teams. As identity-based
 by providing instant responses to inquiries.                                             attacks  escalate,  security  professionals  will  be  needed  to  eliminate  potential
 Cybersecurity remains a top priority as cyber threats become more sophisticated.   incidents.  entry points and enhance overall security.
 Nonprofits are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to their often limited   4.  DATA PRIVACY AND COMPLIANCE  8.  BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
 security  resources.  In  2025,  nonprofits  must  invest  in  robust  cybersecurity       13.    EMPLOYEES WILL BE TARGETED WITH AI SCAM TOOLS
 measures, including:  With  increasing  data  privacy  regulations,  nonprofits  must  ensure  compliance   Blockchain technology is gaining traction in the nonprofit sector for its potential   AI-enhanced  malicious  attacks  are  predicted  to  continue  into  2025.  These
 to protect donor information and maintain trust. Implementing data protection   to enhance transparency and trust. By using blockchain, nonprofits can create
 ►  Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):  Adding  an  extra  layer  of  security  to   measures  and  staying  updated  on  regulations  like  General  Data  Protection   immutable records of donations, ensuring that funds are used as intended. This   attacks, including business email compromise and voice impersonation scams,
 protect sensitive information.  Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is essential.   technology  can  also  streamline  grant  management  and  reduce  administrative   will target employees, especially those in finance, HR, and IT roles. Nonprofits
 Nonprofits  should  also  develop  clear  data  privacy  policies  and  communicate      must educate their staff on recognizing and responding to such threats.
 ►  Regular Security Audits: Conducting frequent audits to identify and address   them to donors and stakeholders.  costs.
 vulnerabilities.  9.    IT INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION                                  By  staying  informed  about  these  IT  and  cybersecurity  trends,  nonprofits  can
 Cybersecurity and  Data Responsibility:  The  adoption  of  CCPA  and  GDPR  in          protect their data, improve operational efficiency, and enhance their impact in
 ►  Employee Training:  Educating  staff  on  best  practices  for  cybersecurity  to   recent years has put increased attention on data responsibility practices. Only   2025 and beyond.
 prevent phishing attacks and other threats.  39% of Gen Z say they trust organizations to keep their data safe, the lowest rate   Modernizing IT infrastructure is crucial for nonprofits to stay competitive and
        efficient.  This  includes  upgrading  hardware,  adopting  new  software  solutions,
 ►  Data Encryption: Ensuring that all sensitive data is encrypted both in transit   of any generation. Knowing this trend will only continue, now is the time to shore   and ensuring that IT systems are scalable and secure. Investing in modern IT
 and at rest.  up your data governance policies. Consider implementing practices like single   infrastructure can improve overall organizational performance and support long-  ALBERT BORGHESE, CPA
 sign-on (SSO) and email list hygiene, as well as other responsible data habits.   term growth.                                           PARTNER
 It’s also extremely important to have a dedicated page or blog on your website                                             CERINI & ASSOCIATES, LLP
 that explains your data governance or cookie policy.
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