FAR Breakfast & Educational Session: More Tools, More Risk: Rethinking Cybersecurity for Nonprofits in the Age of AI

Nonprofits and associations are built on trust, but that same trust, combined with limited resources and increasingly complex technology environments, makes them prime targets for cyber threats. As organizations adopt more cloud platforms, AI-powered tools, and third-party integrations to drive efficiency and engagement, they also expand their attack surface in ways that aren’t always visible. Add in the volume of sensitive donor, member, and client data many organizations steward, and the risk becomes both significant and deeply personal. This session will unpack how today’s threat landscape is evolving, and why even small gaps in awareness or oversight can create exposure.

In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, this discussion will focus on practical, leadership-level actions to strengthen your organization’s defenses. From building a culture of cyber awareness to implementing effective training programs that actually change behavior, we’ll explore how to reduce risk without overwhelming your team. Attendees will walk away with clear, actionable strategies to better protect their data, prepare for potential incidents, and confidently navigate the growing intersection of AI, data, and cybersecurity in a mission-driven environment.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand how the rise of AI expands cybersecurity risk
• Identify practical strategies to strengthen organizational defenses
• Recognize the critical role of employee training and awareness, and how to build a culture of accountability across the organization