To function as team members the board members of nonprofit organizations require tools that are easy to use and allow for communication. They often deal with sensitive information that can be a disaster in the wrong hands, and must be kept secure. Despite the widespread use of digital communications, such as texting, messaging and email apps, they are not secure enough for board business and make boards vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Nonprofit board members are volunteers who bring a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience to the job. Many board directors also have other careers or jobs. Being juggling these multiple obligations and responsibilities, can make it difficult for them to maintain consistent communications with each other.
The good news is that the right technology can aid. By integrating a chat, messaging and collaboration platform with a document management system or board management software, it will facilitate the flow of information and prevent loss of data and duplicates. It can also guard against cyberattacks as well as safeguard confidential conversations and documents.
Volunteer board members often have access to highly sensitive data. Hackers target them via ransomware or phishing attacks in which they threaten to release sensitive information unless a sum of cash is paid. A board could also be subject to regulatory repercussions or diminished trust if sensitive information is accidentally shared using unsecure channels, such as email or mobile devices. To avoid these issues the best solution should have strict cybercheckboxes as well as an audit trail to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data.