As the digital age advances, our reliance on online activities and resources increases. This makes us extremely exposed to the threat of cybercrimes, making cybersecurity one of the most pressing issues faced by organizations of all sizes. The total global loss from cybercrime is predicted to reach over 10 trillion USD per year by 2025, making the economic impact larger than that of all natural disasters and illegal drug trade combined. If cybercrime were a country, it would rank as the third-largest global economy. The majority of these cyberattacks include phishing, ransomware, investment fraud, and large-scale data breaches, causing losses mainly for businesses, but also individuals and infrastructure sectors. While many larger corporations have the money and resources to invest in protection and cybersecurity, many smaller businesses and nonprofits may not have the information, funding, and tools necessary to defend against cyberattacks. This leaves these organizations and the communities they serve at risk, compromising important data and services. Luckily, there are many nonprofits and alliances working to help fix this gap in security. These organizations provide educational services and cybersecurity solutions for small organizations and individuals, allowing them to defend against online threats. This article will highlight 7 of the most influential of these organizations dedicated to raising awareness and protecting people, businesses, and nonprofits from cyber risks worldwide.
National Cybersecurity Alliance
The National Cybersecurity Alliance(NCA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and educating individuals, businesses, and organizations on cybersecurity to create a safer and more secure digital world. Since its founding in 2001, the NCA has worked with governments, corporations, and other nonprofits to make cybersecurity accessible and understandable, as well as provide resources to protect people from cybercrimes. The organization has been a part of many awareness events and campaigns, such as co-leading National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October alongside the US Department of Homeland Security and organizing Data Privacy Day on January 28. The NCA provides free resources and training, such as presentations on cybersecurity basics and data privacy. The organization’s campaigns and resources available on its website have helped millions of people recognize the importance of things such as multi-step authentication, as well as identify and report cybercrimes, normalizing cybersecurity practices. Today, the National Cybersecurity Alliance remains focused on raising awareness and helping people understand and adopt cybersecurity across the US.
Global Cyber Alliance
The Global Cyber Alliance(GCA) is an organization dedicated to reducing cyber risks for businesses, communities, and individuals around the world. Since its founding in 2015, its mission has been to prevent cybercrime by providing practical and available solutions and raising awareness. The GCA develops accessible tools that organizations and individuals can easily use to help protect themselves. Its CyberFlex platform provides information and resources that help young adults avoid being scammed. The organization’s other initiatives include Quad9, a free DNS service that blocks access to dangerous websites, and DMARC, a program that protects businesses from email phishing. The GCA works with partners from 32 countries around the world, partnering with law enforcement, technology companies, and nonprofits, emphasizing collaboration. Since 2015, the organization has shared over 27 million malicious domains for public awareness and educated over 2 million people through their online educational toolkits. The Global Cyber Alliance has become a leader in supporting and protecting vulnerable communities and companies from cyber attacks, with its impact continuing to grow worldwide.
Cyversity
Cyversity is a nonprofit focused on increasing inclusion, diversity, and equality in cybersecurity. Since 2014, Cyversity has worked to increase the number of skilled cybersecurity professionals through supporting underrepresented groups such as women and minorities through education, training, and community development. The organization is able to remove barriers through a wide range of programs and activities. These include scholarships, providing funding for students to pursue education in cybersecurity, and formal mentoring programs pairing cyber professionals with those entering the field, sharing advice and support. Cyversity offers training, workshops, and certification preparation in order to build important skills, and also offers career resources such as resume building, leadership opportunities, and career guidance. The organization fosters a community of mentors, mentees, and professionals from a diverse number of backgrounds, working with major corporations, academic institutions, and government agencies to advance the industry. By creating a more inclusive workforce, Cyversity is helping address the shortage of cybersecurity professionals while fostering inclusion and equality.
Center for Internet Security
The Center for Internet Security(CIS) is a nonprofit organization that works to develop the best practices, tools, and services to help protect against cybercrimes. Since 2000, the organization has been dedicated to making the digital world safer for individuals, businesses, and governments by promoting the best cybersecurity practices. It is widely recognized for its CIS Controls and Benchmarks, which are a set of prioritized security standards and guidelines that help organizations defend against common attacks. They are used by governments and corporations worldwide to assess and improve IT security. The CIS also partners with the US government in two programs: The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center(MS-ISAC), which provides threat intelligence and detection systems, DNS security systems, and 24/7 monitoring, and the Election Infrastructure, Information Sharing and Analysis Center(EI-ISAC), which protects US election infrastructure from cyber attacks and offers specialized security for election agencies. The organization is actively gathering input from thousands of IT professionals to refine its guidelines and services, and is facilitating ongoing research, publishing free information and tools. By combining community standards with practical security services, the Center for Internet Security is ensuring that all organizations and individuals have access to effective cybersecurity protection, making the digital world safer for everyone.
Anti Phishing Working Group
The Anti-Phishing Working Group(APWG) is a global coalition founded to combat cybercrime, especially phishing, email spoofing, pharming, and malware. Since its founding in 2003, the organization has become an alliance of over 2,200 institutions, uniting governments, nonprofits, and research sectors. Its core mission is to eliminate electronic crime by providing research and resources and raising public awareness. Its key initiatives include data clearinghouses, like the Phishing Attack Data Repository, which informs security systems and teams worldwide, and publishing monthly phishing trend reports. The APWG also actively supports research and development of anti-cybercrime technology, collaborating with institutions like the IEEE and universities. Additionally, APWG has implemented many consumer-awareness campaigns such as STOP. THINK. CONNECT advises national governments and engages with international organizations like the UN and Europol. The Anti-Phishing Working Group is widely recognized for enabling research and action to reduce phishing threats around the world, and as a result, is vital in the ongoing fight against cybercrime.
Internet Security Alliance
The Internet Security Alliance(ISA) is a nonprofit association that uses technology economics and public policy to advance cybersecurity in industries and governments. Since 2001, its mission has been to create lasting improvements in security for cyber systems worldwide. The ISA, partnering with organizations such as the National Association of Corporate Directors(NACD), publishes guidance books on cyber risk management, which are globally acknowledged for strengthening security. These resources, including the book “Cybersecurity for Business (C4B),” teach companies how to integrate cybersecurity into all parts of their operations, from human resources to legal. ISA also advocates for policies that have directly influenced U.S. government strategy and legislation, such as the 2013 Executive Order launching the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and legislation supporting information sharing and workforce development. ISA works with international businesses and governments, contributing to the development and translation of their handbooks for partners in Europe, Australia, and Japan. Through its global collaborations and research, ISA provides expertise that has been shown to significantly reduce cyber incidents for companies around the world, labelling the organization as a leader in effective cybersecurity solutions.
SANS Institute
The SANS Institute is the world’s largest provider of cybersecurity training, resources, and certification, supporting organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to build a safer digital world. Founded in 1989, the organization provides 85 courses to empower cybersecurity practitioners with the skills to improve global security. These courses include cyber defence, penetration testing, incident detection and response, leadership, and more, all of which are available online or in-person. SANS issues over 50 different certifications that validate security skills to provide assurance for employers. The organization operates a global cyber incident monitoring network, providing real-time analysis of threats and supporting early warning needs for the internet. SANS provides all of its research findings for free and organizes thousands of community resources such as workshops, live events, and training programs. SANS reaches more than 400,000 professionals every year, delivering training for governments, law enforcement, and individuals around the world. Today, the SANS Institute continues to shape industry standards, practices, and validation protocols, remaining a key resource for building and strengthening the cybersecurity workforce.
Final Thoughts
As cybercrimes continue to grow in size and sophistication, the need for widespread education and protection from these threats has never been greater. While some corporations have the resources to protect themselves, many other individuals and businesses remain at risk. The nonprofits listed in this article, whether through training, resources, or advocacy, are making cybersecurity more accessible around the world. By supporting the initiatives of these organizations, we can all help create a safer and more secure digital future for everybody.
