loving your digital neighbour
Cybersecurity: Loving your (digital) neighbour
Tristram Ridley-Jones
It is a Tuesday morning in the church office. The administrator sits down, coffee in hand, to process the weekly DBS checks for the new Sunday School volunteers. It is a mundane, administrative task, a "Martha" moment in a world that often prizes "Mary" spirituality. But in today's day and age, this simple act of administration has become a frontline of spiritual stewardship.
Last year, the data breach involving the Access Personal Checking Services (APCS) (a third-party supplier used by many dioceses and Christian organisations) served as a stark wake-up call. It reminded us that the church is not invisible to the digital threats that prowl the modern world. For many church leaders, terms like "phishing," "ransomware," and "two-factor authentication" feel like a distraction from the Great Commission. They would rather talk about grace than firewalls.
Are Christian charities more at risk of hacking?
Christian churches, organisations, and charities are entrusted with managing resources – donations, grants, and assets – to fulfil their missions. This stewardship now extends to the digital realm.
As financial operations increasingly rely on technology, cybersecurity is no longer only an IT issue but a fundamental aspect of financial integrity and missional continuity. For finance teams and treasurers, safeguarding digital assets is as crucial as maintaining physical security.