Why This Matters
Churches and nonprofits are under attack.
Understanding the threat is the first step to protecting your mission.
#2 Target
2nd
Most targeted industry for cyberattacks
Rising Threats
6x
Increase in login threats year-over-year
AI-Powered Scams
1,265%
Rise in phishing since ChatGPT launched
Why Hack a Church? The “Soft Target” Reality
Cybercriminals aren't choosing targets at random. They actively seek out churches and nonprofits because of a dangerous combination: valuable data and weak defenses.
- • Donor credit card and bank information
- • Member names, addresses, and contact details
- • Social Security numbers and financial records
- • Health information (for counseling centers)
- • Children's information (youth programs)
- • Limited IT security budgets
- • Outdated computers and software
- • Reliance on volunteers (not trained in security)
- • High-trust culture (less suspicious of emails)
- • No dedicated IT security staff
The Attacks You Need to Know About
What it is: A fake email that tricks you into clicking a malicious link, opening an infected file, or sharing passwords.
Example: An email that looks like it's from “Microsoft” saying your email storage is full, asking you to click a link and log in.
Why it works: The email looks professional, creates urgency, and targets busy staff who don't have time to double-check.
What it is: Malicious software that locks all your files (donor lists, financial records, emails) and demands payment to unlock them.
Real example: A Cleveland church had $1.75 million stolen by cybercriminals in 2019.
The double threat: Attackers now steal your data before locking it, threatening to publish sensitive information if you don't pay.
What it is: Criminals hack or impersonate your pastor's or finance director's email to send fake payment requests.
Example: You receive an urgent email that appears to be from your senior pastor asking you to wire money immediately for an “emergency.”
Why it works: High-trust environment + time pressure + appears legitimate = money transferred before anyone realizes it's a scam.
What it is: Attackers use artificial intelligence to create fake websites, generate perfect emails, or even clone someone's voice in a phone call.
Example: A deepfake video of a supposed beneficiary telling a fabricated hardship story to solicit donations, or a voice clone of your executive director authorizing a wire transfer.
The risk: These scams are incredibly convincing and prey on the empathy that drives your mission.
Real Incidents: This Is Already Happening
Church of England (2025)
Two separate data breaches in one month. One was caused by a simple human error—an email sent to 194 abuse survivors without using BCC, exposing all their identities. The other was a cyberattack on a background-check vendor, compromising passport details and National Insurance numbers for hundreds of parishioners.
Lesson: Even one small mistake can have devastating consequences.
Blackbaud Ransomware (2020)
A major software company used by thousands of nonprofits worldwide was hacked. Attackers stole donor names, contact info, and financial details. Blackbaud paid a $250,000 ransom and later settled with regulators for $49.5 million.
Lesson: Your security depends on your vendors' security. Choose carefully.
Minneapolis Public Schools (2023)
When the school district refused to pay a ransomware demand, attackers released highly sensitive data including Social Security numbers and student medical records.
Lesson: Paying the ransom is not a guarantee. Prevention is the only real defense.
What's at Stake?
A cyberattack isn't just an IT problem. It threatens your entire mission:
- •Financial Loss: Ransom payments, recovery costs, legal fees, and lost donations
- •Lost Trust: Donors and members lose confidence when their data is compromised
- •Legal Penalties: Violations of HIPAA, COPPA, or data breach laws can result in massive fines
- •Operational Shutdown: Inability to access systems can halt your ability to serve your community
- •Reputational Damage: Years of goodwill can be destroyed in a single news cycle
The Good News
You don't need a huge budget or a technical degree to protect your organization. Most attacks can be prevented with simple, low-cost (or free) steps that anyone can implement.
That's exactly what MissionGuard is here to help you do.
Ready to Protect Your Mission?
Start with our simple, practical 5-step security plan designed specifically for churches and nonprofits.