How Well Does Your Ministry Secure Personal Data?

Churches—and other ministries, as well—commonly store a variety of personal information about their members and the people who support them. Mailing lists and donation records may be the most familiar repositories of personal information; however, the average church database is also likely to include Social Security numbers and payment card information.
Unsecured, this data could make church members vulnerable to criminals—putting church and ministry members at risk. What can you do to protect your members’ personal information? Start with these suggestions.
Improve physical security
How you and your staff handle information will go a long way to safeguarding the personal information you maintain about your members and your church or ministry.
- Shred documents with person information before throwing them away.
- Use secured mailboxes or a post office box to send and receive business mail.
- Ensure that you have a member’s permission before providing personal information about them. Even when a church or ministry member calls or emails asking for personal information they have previously provided to you, ensure that you verify their identity before releasing the information.
- Store all records in locked cabinets.
- Limit access to sensitive information.
- Train your office staff to protect the confidentiality and security of personal information.
- Lock your facility; set alarms.
Improve computer security
In today’s electronic age, your computer system can be a prime target of would-be hackers and other information thieves. Protect your system. If you can’t do it yourself, get the technical help you need.
- Find an established, reputable computer support company that comes highly recommended.
- Ensure that your operating system is always up to date. This is your first line of defense.
- Use virus and spyware protection—even if you have a one-computer office.
- Update virus definitions regularly and scan computers for malicious software.
- Install a dependable firewall.
- Encrypt your wireless network.
- Back up records frequently. Store backups in a secure, off-site location to protect your ministry from losing records to computer breaches and other events, including natural disasters.
- Change passwords frequently and limit access to select staff members or volunteers.
Never take protecting personal information lightly. The integrity of your administrative and financial practices is always worth the effort you take to maintain information security. By carefully managing your members’ personal information, you are not only exercising good business practices, but you also are protecting your church or ministry from crippling data losses, embarrassing public disclosures, and potential lawsuits.
-
April 3, 2023
-
Tragedy in Nashville
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
March 17, 2023
-
Worry-Free Mission Travel
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
March 17, 2023
-
HR Document Library at your Fingertips
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
March 17, 2023
-
Highlights from Recent Security Training Events
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 24, 2023
-
Wind and Hail – Deductible Buyback
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 24, 2023
-
Common Questions About Our Agency
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 24, 2023
-
Coming to your area in 2023
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 24, 2023
-
Kingdom Advancing Grant
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 24, 2023
-
ACG Retreat in Kansas City
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 23, 2023
-
Loaning Your Ministry's Facilities
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 23, 2023
-
Protecting You and Your Ministry Partners
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
January 9, 2023
-
Better Achieve Your Mission in 2023
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
coverage,
ministry
-
November 18, 2022
-
Our Team is Growing, Again!
-
November 10, 2022
-
We Want To Hear From You!
-
-
There are a lot of hats worn in any growing ministry – and we want to serve every one of them.
-
Tags:
insurance
-
November 10, 2022
-
Evaluate Your Ministry's Fire Safety Plan
-
-
With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s wise for ministries to evaluate their fire safety plan. Whether your ministry is hosting a holiday party, prepping treats for charity, or running a community kitchen, make sure you’re well-prepared with these tips.
-
Tags:
insurance,
property,
volunteer safety,
fire safety
-
November 10, 2022
-
Holiday Season Safety & Security: 3 Things to Plan Before Christmas
-
-
The holidays present unique opportunities and challenges for churches that aren’t typical during other times of the year. A lot of the ministries that I work with are seeing steady increases in attendance and are praying for a significant jump in Christmas service participation this year.
-
Tags:
insurance
-
October 26, 2022
-
October 2022 Blog: What is a 403(B)(9) Retirement Plan?
-
-
In this article, Brad Brown from Plan A Wealth Management gives a wonderful insight into why ministries might consider choosing a 403(B)(9) retirement plan.
-
Tags:
insurance,
property,
taxes,
retirement,
retirement plan
-
September 21, 2022
-
Inflation's Major Impact on Ministries
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
schools,
churches,
building,
property
-
September 21, 2022
-
Report Reveals How Students are Feeling About Their Safety at School
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
schools,
building,
property,
child safety
-
September 21, 2022
-
Top 10 Requested Forms
-
-
Tags:
insurance,
schools,
churches,
building,
property