Put Your Nonprofit’s Cybersecurity to the Test with Penetration Testing

Cyberattacks on nonprofits are rising. Between 2021 and 2023, at least 68% of not-for-profit organizations experienced one or more data breaches, according to the CyberPeace Institute. Already in 2025, several nonprofits—including healthcare, social services, and faith-based organizations—have publicly disclosed cyberattack losses.

Why are nonprofits targeted? Many organizations operate with limited cybersecurity budgets and minimal in-house IT expertise, making them particularly vulnerable to data breaches, ransomware attacks, and phishing schemes.

One effective way to protect your nonprofit from cyber threats is penetration testing (pen testing)—a proactive strategy that simulates real-world attacks to identify system weaknesses.

What Is Penetration Testing for Nonprofits?

Pen testing evaluates your entire cybersecurity system, from software vulnerabilities to human errors. A cybersecurity professional (often called an ethical hacker) simulates an attack to test how well your defenses hold up against unauthorized access attempts.

This process helps uncover:

• Misconfigured settings,

• Outdated software,

• Weak passwords,

• Ineffective multifactor authentication (MFA),

• Phishing vulnerabilities, and more.

By identifying these weaknesses before a malicious hacker does, your nonprofit can take corrective action, potentially saving you from significant financial and reputational damage.

Types of Penetration Testing: White, Grey, and Black Box

Penetration tests are categorized by the tester’s level of access:

• White Box Testing: Testers have full access to your systems, including source code and credentials. It’s often more affordable and faster, but may not simulate a real-world attack scenario.

• Black Box Testing: Testers have no prior knowledge of your systems, simulating a true outsider threat. This method is more realistic but may not detect internal security flaws.

• Grey Box Testing: A hybrid approach where testers start with limited knowledge, similar to what an attacker might gather through online reconnaissance. It balances cost, realism, and scope.

What to Expect from a Penetration Test

A penetration test might involve scheduled or unannounced attempts to exploit your system’s vulnerabilities. Common targets include:

• Public-facing systems (e.g., websites, email servers),

• Network firewalls and routers,

• Employee credentials via social engineering,

• Data access permissions.

Testers aim to mimic real-world tactics to find paths a cybercriminal might use to access sensitive data or disrupt operations.

Is Pen Testing Worth the Cost?

While pen testing can be costly, the financial and reputational costs of a data breach are far greater. For nonprofits, these consequences may include:

• Loss of donor trust,

• Legal penalties,

• Regulatory fines,

• Downtime and recovery costs,

• Data loss or theft.

That’s why routine penetration testing is recommended for midsize to large nonprofits, especially those managing donor databases, health information, or financial records.

How to Find a Qualified Pen Tester

Look for professionals or firms with credentials such as:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH),

• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).

Make sure they have experience working with nonprofit organizations and understand the unique regulatory and operational challenges nonprofits face.

Take Action: Strengthen Your Nonprofit’s Cybersecurity

Penetration testing is just one part of a larger nonprofit cybersecurity strategy. It demonstrates your commitment to data security to donors, regulators, and stakeholders—and helps protect your mission from disruption.

Need help getting started? Contact us for recommendations on trusted pen testing vendors and for more ways to safeguard your nonprofit’s data.