Module A4: ‘Digital Security’ is in Section (A) ‘Policy and Planning’ of our three part series ‘Keeping up with COVID-19: Essential guidance for NGO security risk management’.

As we move further into the 21st Century, life becomes increasingly complex and interconnected including as technology improvements impact every aspect of the way we work and live. Humanitarian, development, and advocacy organisations face new and increasingly diverse challenges that we must overcome if we intend to continue to serve the world’s at-risk populations.

One way that organisations attempt to overcome these challenges, keep costs down and manage information better, is to turn to digital and technological tools. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has driven us to further embrace technology and that shift will remain a fixture in the future of the sector.

Yet few organisations really take the time to step back and examine their digital ‘footprint’ and the risks it may present to staff safety, programme integrity, donor confidence and reputational risk. This module is intended to encourage organisations to identify their key challenges going forward, develop a broader understanding of the risks and recommend cost-effective ways to improve an organisation’s digital security. 

This module was written by James Davis.