October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Why Your Church Can’t Wait to Take Action

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4 days ago
2 min read

Every October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month serves as a reminder that our online spaces are just as important to safeguard as our sanctuaries and fellowship halls. While churches focus on ministry, worship, and mission, the digital side of church life—emails, online giving, live streaming, and member databases—often goes unprotected.

If you think your church is too small to be a target, think again. Cybercriminals are increasingly turning to nonprofit and faith-based organizations, which they see as “soft targets.”

The Rising Threat to Churches

Nearly 43% of cyberattacks in North America now target ministries and nonprofits (MinistryWatch).
The LockBit ransomware group recently claimed responsibility for a breach at Relentless Church in South Carolina (The Record).
The CyberPeace Institute ranks nonprofits as the second most targeted sector globally for nation-state attacks (CyberPeace Institute).

For churches, an attack doesn’t just mean lost data—it can compromise donor trust, disrupt ministry operations, and expose confidential information about your members.

Why Churches Are Vulnerable

Limited budgets, volunteer-managed systems, and a mix of personal and church-owned devices all contribute to increased risk. Even a single compromised account can lead to stolen funds or ransomware locking down your computers and livestream systems.

The Ministry Impact

Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—it’s about protecting your ministry's integrity. When church staff or members receive fraudulent emails “from the pastor” asking for money, trust erodes. When giving systems go down, ministry slows.

Take Action This Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the perfect time to: