How charities can navigate cyber risk in the digital age

How charities can navigate cyber risk in the digital age

Cybercrime continues to escalate, posing a serious threat across all sectors. High-profile incidents such as recent cyber breaches at Marks & Spencer and the Legal Aid Agency underscore the reality that no organisation is immune. 

In our recent webinar, “How to navigate cyber risk in the digital age”, a panel of cyber experts came together to explore the evolving landscape of cyber threats and how charities can protect themselves.

The threat is real and growing;
Cyber-attacks can have severe consequences for charities. These range from operational disruptions, such as system downtime caused by ransomware, to social engineering attacks, where hackers deceive staff into revealing login credentials. 

Approximately one third (61,000) of UK charities experienced a cyber breach in the past year, highlighting the growing threat to the sector. However, recent statistics show that only 34% of charities reported being insured against cyber security risks. 

Inside the dark web;
The webinar offered attendees a rare and eye-opening look into the dark web and the hidden world of cybercrime. It revealed how stolen credentials are traded and how even small charities can become targets. The key takeaway was clear: cybercriminals don’t discriminate - they exploit any vulnerability they can find.

The dark web functions as a marketplace for stolen data. It’s unregulated, anonymous, and difficult to trace, making it a hotspot for illicit activity. Hackers use it not only to sell stolen credentials but also to share and promote techniques for infiltrating organisations. These methods often lead to business email compromise, ransomware attacks, and other forms of cyber extortion.

Insurance as a safety net 
Cyber insurance acts as a critical safety net. Beyond financial compensation, it provides access to emergency response teams, legal support, and PR crisis management. For charities with limited IT resources, this support can be the difference between recovery and collapse.

Practical steps for protection

The panel shared actionable advice:

• Train staff regularly on cyber hygiene
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Use password managers to reduce risk
• Review your cyber insurance policy to ensure it covers volunteers and remote workers

A call to action

The core message from the webinar is clear: cyber resilience is not a luxury - it’s a necessity. It’s built on three pillars: people, processes, and preparation. Whether you're a small community group or a national charity, the time to act is now.

Cyber insurance is a key part of that preparation. It doesn’t just help you recover from an attack - it empowers you to face threats with confidence and spot these before they happen. From financial protection and expert incident response, to support with compliance and recovery, a strong cyber policy turns uncertainty into resilience.

In a world where cyber threats are growing, being prepared is the most powerful defence.

Watch the full webinar to hear real-world examples, expert insights, and practical guidance tailored to the charity sector.