Church in the Cyber Age

In June, the Church of England revealed plans to digitise its collection plates. Initially launching to 40 churches as a pilot scheme, worshippers will be able to donate by contactless card.

National stewardship officer John Preston explained that the move aims to accommodate younger generations and people who no longer carry cash.

As well as making donating more inclusive, it may even boost collection totals as studies show people tend to donate three times as much by card as when giving cash.

But processing digital payments brings a new element of risk. As with any business which handles sensitive card details and customer information, processing digital payments leaves you susceptible to the risk of a cyber attack.

Cyber attacks can come in many forms, but usually involve a malicious hacker gaining access to sensitive digital information, whether that’s a list of email addresses, card details or even your company bank account. They may then steal money, sell the information, or lock it up in return for ransom.

Places of worship handle sensitive data in other ways too, even if you don’t offer digital donations. If you collect your congregation’s email addresses to send out a newsletter or take payment for other services such as weddings, you have access to personal information.

If your place of worship handles sensitive data, make sure your staff:
  • Regularly change PC passwords
  • Never access sensitive information on public computers or open internet
  • Install updates whenever prompted
  • Never click on unknown links or emails from suspicious senders
  • Only install software from known vendors

Your liabilities can also be protected with dedicated Cyber Insurance. In the event of a data breach, this cover can reimburse costs such as stolen assets, legal costs, and recovering your reputation. It can also react in the eventof an accidental data loss, such as a laptop left on a train.

 

Talk to Edwards Insurance Brokers today about adding Cyber cover to your insurance solution.