Services for NGOs

NGOs are increasingly falling victim to cyber attacks. The rapid digital transformation they have undertaken in recent years, combined with the fact that they often possess sensitive data on their donors and beneficiaries, exposes them to an increased risk of cyberattacks.

However, NGOs often lack the human or financial resources to protect themselves.

In Switzerland, the National Cyber Security Centre is the federal government’s competence centre for cybersecurity and thus the first point of contact when it comes to cyberissues. It is responsible for the coordinated implementation of the national cyber strategy (NCS).

The NCSC’s main task is to make Switzerland more secure in cyberspace. To this end, it raises awareness and warns about cyberthreats and cyberattacks. The NCSC receives reports of cyberincidents and supports operators of critical infrastructures, in particular, in dealing with them. It produces technical analyses to assess and prevent cyberincidents and cyberthreats, and to identify and eliminate weaknesses in Switzerland’s protection against cyberthreats.

NGOs should report cyber incidents to the NCSC.

In Switzerland, NGOs may access a number of free programs and services aimed at strengthening their cybersecurity, such as the CyberPeace Institute, which offers free services and tools for NGOs, cyber-safe.ch, which provides security diagnostics, and Quad9, which blocks cyberthreats. In addition, various free training courses on cybersecurity and cyber risks are available online (check links below in the “more information” bloc).