The South African Non-profit Organization* is working with community driven early childhood development services based in underprivileged surroundings. Its mission is to catalyze investment to give children a fair start in life. As part of its work, the Organization handles sensitive personal data and operational activities information. With the growing threat of critical data breaches, it has recognized the need to strengthen its cybersecurity posture with a mature Data Loss Prevention suite.

Highlights

• The Organization has built 342 classrooms, ensuring children have safe space to learn.
• Nutritional support granted 20,633 children are served breakfast every day.
• 1,166 teachers receive financial compensation through the Social Employment Fund.

Challenge

• Data Privacy Concerns. With the collection and storage of sensitive information, including personal and financial data, the Organization needs to address data privacy and regulatory compliance.
• Limited Resources. As a non-profit, the Organization had limited resources dedicated to cybersecurity, making it challenging to implement and maintain sophisticated security measures effectively.
• Risk of Insider Threats. Non-profit organizations must take a proactive approach to cybersecurity by having adequate data inventory and managing access rights.

“It’s disappointing to think, that someone being committed to a non-profit might be a fraudster, but experienced board directors recognize that this may happen. According to the latest “Occupational Fraud 2024: A Report to the Nations” by ACFE, non-profit organizations experience median loss of USD 76,000 per case. That might be fatal for one’s further activity and reputation. The key to productive and safe operation is in a proper risk assessment. Organizations need to dynamically assess risks and identify anomalies to minimize false-positives. This allows low-risk users to proceed as usual, while high-risk employees will be under closer supervision”, — says Alexey Raevsky, CEO at Zecurion.

Solution

The Organization has deployed Zecurion Data Loss Prevention Suite to mitigate risks and to protect from insider threats.Traffic Control monitors communication across all services to minimize the risk of data loss. Device Control protects information and guarantees legitimate use. Discovery keeps control on what, what quantity and where is stored. User Behavior Analytics helps to flag a potential threat and excludes human factor risks.

Results

The partnership between the Non-profit Organization and Zecurion exemplifies the importance of prioritizing cybersecurity. By addressing vulnerabilities and fortifying its defenses, the Organization was able to safeguard its sensitive data and uphold its commitment to the communities it serves. The successful collaboration underscores the value of proactive cybersecurity measures in preserving the integrity and trust of non-profit organizations, ultimately enabling them to fulfill their missions securely in the digital age.

* Zecurion respects privacy of its customer companies and accommodates the organization’s request to anonymize all names and places to meet corporate policy requirements.