Re-launching the CAT tool: A community call to strengthen cybersecurity for civil society organizations
In today’s rapidly changing digital landscape, civil society organizations (CSOs), community members, journalists, and communicators face increasingly sophisticated threats. Authoritarian governments, rising online censorship, surveillance, harassment, shrinking funding, and lack of transparency about who is accessing past projects’ data are just a few of the challenges putting CSOs at risk, jeopardizing not only their data, but also the people and causes they serve.
Many human rights defenders (HRDs) have historically relied on funding from USAID sources. Recent funding cuts intensify their need for support as they navigate a landscape where technology-facilitated harms become increasingly advanced. Additionally, being linked solely to U.S. government funding increases the threats they face.
In response to this context, now more than ever, organizations must prioritize robust cybersecurity measures.
To help CSOs address these challenges, we’re thrilled to invite you to our next community call on 15 April, 2025 at 4PM UTC, where we’ll explore how civil society organizations can better navigate the changing landscape of repressive times and begin meaningful conversations around organizational cybersecurity. We will also walk the community through the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT), a vital resource we are re-launching, designed to assess the maturity, resiliency, and strength of your organization’s cybersecurity efforts.
Who is this call for?
Civil society organizations (CSOs), community members working on advocacy efforts, social movements, communicators, journalists, and others interested in improving their security practices.
All of these actors face risks due to limited resources, time, and, in some cases, technical expertise. Now more than ever, CSOs need to have a cybersecurity plan within their organization. With an overwhelming number of cybersecurity recommendations and resources available online, it can be daunting to navigate and figure out which strategies are most relevant and effective for their organization and its unique context.
We welcome people who are just starting to question their relationship with technology tools, as well as organizations and individuals who have already begun this journey.
Topics included on this call:
- What to consider when starting your organizational security journey.
- Structured and tailored cybersecurity approaches: How can your organization approach cybersecurity in a way that fits your unique needs and challenges?
- Lessons from Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa: How are organizations navigating cybersecurity challenges and what can we learn from their strategies?
- The Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT): What is CAT and how can it help assess your organization’s current security setup and suggest ways to improve digital resilience?
- Support needs for improving digital resilience: What support would be most impactful for your organization as you work to enhance cybersecurity and resilience?
We look forward to seeing you and working together to strengthen our collective cybersecurity efforts.
This event will be held in English, with Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Arabic interpretation available if requested (please note your preferred language when you register so we can be sure to accommodate).
If you’re unable to attend but would still like to get support from our team, learn more about our services and support.