Defending Your Data Against Threats: Five Best Practices for Immigration Nonprofits

Why Cybersecurity Matters

Cybersecurity is no longer a luxury for nonprofits; it’s a necessity. For immigration nonprofits, safeguarding sensitive data is essential to maintaining the trust of your stakeholders while ensuring the continuity of your mission. With cyberattacks on the rise, nonprofits have increasingly become targets due to limited resources and lack of robust security measures.

Nonprofits working in the immigration space deal with sensitive information daily, such as client identities, documentation statuses, and more. A data breach in such contexts can result in significant harm—including financial loss, legal repercussions, and a breach of trust. 

Cyberattacks don’t just target financial gain; they can disrupt advocacy missions, compromise critical operations, or even expose staff and clients to harm. Recognizing these risks is the first step in building resilience and protecting those you serve.

But here’s the good news—protecting your organization doesn’t require a degree in computer science or a massive budget. By implementing simple yet effective practices, even small nonprofits can minimize their vulnerabilities dramatically. This guide outlines best practices for defending your data against common threats, using actionable steps to keep your organization safe.

Common Threats to Nonprofits

Understanding the types of adversaries targeting nonprofits can provide clarity on why proactive defense is so crucial. Some common culprits include:

• Cyber Criminals seeking financial information or leveraging ransomware.
• Foreign Governments, targeting nonprofits for spying or disruption, especially those advocating human rights.
• Domestic Governments, whose surveillance practices or legal actions might interrupt advocacy and operations.
• Activists and Extremists, who may attack ideological opponents by hacking websites, leaking sensitive data, or defacing public-facing platforms.

While these risks sound alarming, taking consistent preventive action can drastically reduce potential vulnerabilities.

Five Best Practices to Fortify Your Data

Effective cybersecurity often starts with a few essential steps. Below are a few key strategies immigration nonprofits can implement to significantly improve their defense against threats.

1. Enhance Access Controls

Weak access controls are one of the most easily exploited vulnerabilities for attackers. Strengthening access controls should be your first line of defense. This includes:

• Perform Regular Inventory Checks – Ensure you have a list of all software, hardware, and online tools used across your organization. This visibility allows you to identify and secure potential vulnerabilities.
• Activate Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – MFA requires users to verify their identity via an extra step, such as a code sent to their phone. This is one of the simplest ways to safeguard accounts, even if passwords are leaked.
• Audit Active Accounts – Regularly review who has access to your systems. Delete or archive accounts no longer in use to minimize unnecessary risks.
• Limit Data Sharing – Restrict access to sensitive files to a “need-to-know” basis, limiting exposure in the event of an internal or external breach.

2. Keep Devices and Software Updated

Many data breaches exploit out-of-date software. Regular software updates address known vulnerabilities, thereby blocking attackers from exploiting these access points.

• Ensure all operating systems and browsers are equipped with the latest updates. Enabling automatic updates can save valuable time and resources.
• Monitor security advisories for critical vulnerabilities from vendors, especially for tools directly tied to sensitive data.
• Encourage staff to treat updates as non-negotiable—a quick update now prevents costly breaches later.

3. Fortify Mobile Device Security

Mobile devices are often overlooked but pose significant risks, as they access sensitive organizational systems. To mitigate these risks, ensure the following are completed:

• Remove unused apps and review app permissions regularly.
• Reboot devices daily to disrupt any malware that may be running in the background.
• Use messaging apps with end-to-end encryption, such as Signal, for sensitive conversations.
• Where possible, utilize passcodes instead of biometric authentication to avoid vulnerabilities at cross-border or legal checkpoints.

4. Apply Proper Security Settings for SaaS Tools

Many cloud-based tools default to insecure settings, leaving nonprofits exposed. To avoid security breaches, ensure your organization does the following:

• Review security settings of your SaaS platforms and make adjustments where necessary.
• Centralize management of access settings for all team members.
• Introduce automated backup processes to ensure data recovery in the event of an incident.

5. Secure Your Social Media Presence

Social media platforms often serve as the public face of your organization—making them prime targets for cyberattacks. Safeguard your platforms by

• Enabling MFA on all accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
• Using a password manager to securely share credentials among trusted staff.
• Limiting how many team members have access to publish or edit posts.
• Regularly reviewing and updating platform security settings.

‍

Considerations Specific to Immigration

Organizations working cross-border or handling sensitive documentation should take extra measures to ensure client and team safety. Encrypt all sensitive files and be cautious about sharing details over insecure channels like email or SMS. Remember, securing your organization’s data is tantamount to protecting the individuals and communities impacted by your work.

‍

Support from Experts

If navigating these steps feels daunting, know you’re not alone. Cybersecurity experts like RipRap Security—designed specifically for nonprofits and B Corps—offer customized security roadmaps tailored to your specific needs. Their human-first approach ensures the process is accessible and straightforward, even for organizations with minimal technical expertise.

Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be overwhelming, even for small or resource-strapped immigration nonprofits. By incorporating these best practices into your operations, you significantly reduce the risk of data breaches while building trust with your clients and stakeholders. 

Your data and mission are too important to leave unprotected. Take the first step today by evaluating your current security measures, implementing low-cost strategies, and seeking expert support where needed. 

‍