Undoubtedly, there is no longer any way to resist or ignore the connected world we live in. With technology becoming increasingly dominant, information security becomes even more essential. After all, with restrictive and protective measures, it is possible to avoid major problems, not only in business management but also in the administration of NGOs and philanthropic entities, such as theft of personal data, bank account hacks, and other types of scams that are becoming more frequent every day.

Although this concern is necessary, in Brazil, the percentage of people and institutions that care about the security of their data is still minimal. And when the focus is on third-sector organizations, the number becomes even smaller.

Indeed, this carelessness occurs due to lack of knowledge and also the undervaluation and resistance to technology.

This is because many managers believe that investing in digital security involves expensive and bureaucratic processes. But, in reality, it's not quite like that. After all, there are countless tools aimed at information security, such as antivirus, cloud storage (or cloud computing), and secure backups, which are highly efficient, as long as they are adopted and used correctly.

However, the biggest challenge is actually transforming the mindset of the founders and directors of Non-Governmental Organizations so they believe that, by adopting these solutions, they will truly be protecting not only their data, but also safeguarding the information of donors, partners, volunteers, and suppliers.

Why don't Brazilian NGOs care about information technology?

There are countless reasons for third-sector entities to ignore information security. The first of these involves financial issues, since most NGOs really do not have a reserve of funds to invest in these technologies. Due to the lack of prior planning and fundraising to solve this critical conflict, many organizations leave their data exposed and susceptible to the dreaded intrusions.

Another relevant factor for the non-adoption of information technology in NGOs is the lack of equipment. In many cases, the machines used by the entities are donated by third parties and used by several people who do not have these devices at home (even as a way to promote social inclusion). With old and limited computers, it becomes even easier to expose internal information and simplify the action of attackers.

Furthermore, taking market factors into account, it is impossible not to mention the low interest of technology companies in developing information security tools for the third sector. Of course, there are exceptions, such as Codebit itself, which is a specialist in the development of customized technological solutions for the third sector. But, in general, interest in this market is low.

Clearly, several other issues, such as the profile of the workforce, the organizational structure, and the very resistance on the part of administrators hinder the application of information security tools in institutions. However, ignoring or resisting this urgency may not be the best path.

The risks of underestimating information security

In summary, information security processes refer to techniques for identifying risks and threats, vulnerability and threat mitigation routines, and practices to prevent attacks and the creation of new vulnerabilities. In light of technological progress and continuous information leaks and attacks on individuals, small, or large businesses, it is clear that user data must be treated securely, integrally, and, above all, confidentially.

As much as investing in these solutions involves some costs, ignoring them can be even more expensive, because, in addition to the extra security measures that must be adopted after an attack, resisting these solutions generates a negative impact on an institution's public relations. After all, the NGO will very likely lose the trust of partners, volunteers, and donors after suffering a virtual attack that could have been avoided.

Anyway, if you enjoyed discovering the reasons and potential impacts of the third sector's disinterest in information technology, take the opportunity to share this article on your social networks. For sure, this information can help many institutions pay attention to the dangers involving this resistance.

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