Cybersecurity starts with your board, how to expand use of BoardEffect beyond the board, and more

Is your board cyber-smart?

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a timely reminder that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. As nonprofits rely more on digital tools, board members — especially volunteers — must be equipped to spot risks and respond. Learn what steps to take in How to make your board cyber-ready.

Cyber threats don’t wait. A proactive security assessment helps identify vulnerabilities and strengthen your defenses. Use our free Security assessment checklist to prioritize improvements and protect your mission. 

4 tips to fine tune BoardEffect for top security

1. Use only BoardEffect for distributing sensitive board documents — skip email or shadow IT systems. Make sure your security features like role-based permissions, single sign-on (SSO), two-factor authentication, audit trails and encrypted storage are activated. 
2. Review your organization's security policies with your IT team to ensure alignment with established password criteria and automatic password resets as needed for all users to help avoid cyber incidents.
3. Set up a “Profile update email” for alerts when user profiles change.
4. Review user lists, passwords and connected devices frequently, disabling accounts for rotating board and committee members.

If you have any questions or need support implementing these best practices, don’t hesitate to reach out to your customer success manager.

How Hospital Sisters Health System kept their governance going during a cyber incident

When a cyberattack disrupted operations across Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), their governance didn’t miss a beat. HSHS was able to maintain secure access to board materials and continue decision-making across 15 hospitals and multiple boards with the help of BoardEffect — ensuring leadership stayed connected when it mattered most.

HSHS has been able to streamline board operations, reduce administrative burden and empower members with easy access to tools and documents.

“BoardEffect has been a game-changer for us. Having everything in one place has made our board’s work so much easier and more efficient. During the cyber-incident, BoardEffect was secure and reliable. Knowing we could access it while everything else was down gave us a great sense of security.” – Dani Glascock, System Director of Governance, Hospital Sisters Health Systems

Read the whole case study here.

News and events 

Elevate 2026

Join us in Atlanta, April 22-24, 2026, for Elevate, the premier event for governance, risk and compliance professionals. Discover the latest in AI-powered governance, risk and compliance, connect with industry leaders and sharpen your expertise. Reserve your spot now!

[Webinar] Beyond the budget: Smarter financial and risk oversight

September 24, 2025 2:30 PM BST / 9:30 AM EDT

Strong financial oversight is essential — but for many boards, managing budgets is just one piece of a much larger risk picture. From outdated data to staffing gaps, from cybersecurity threats to donor confidence, the risks that surround your board’s financial decisions are more complex than ever.

Hear insights from Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew, President & CEO, Soulstice Consultancy; Katharine Earhart, Partner & Co-founder, Fairlight Advisors; Patrick Downes, Managing Partner, Lionheart Consultants; and host Meghan Day in a thought-provoking panel discussion.

Whether you’re a board chair, executive or administrator, you’ll leave with practical strategies to help your board feel more prepared, more aligned and more confident in its financial oversight role. Register now.

Catch up on our other recent webinars, all available to watch on demand:

• Getting your nonprofit board on the same page: Strategies for alignment, communication & collaboration
• Developing high-impact boards: Skills, strategies & tools you need
• Navigating AI risks & governance: What your nonprofit board should know

Upcoming events where you can visit our booth to connect with our team:

22 – 24 October 2025: The annual AHP International Conference is open to healthcare philanthropy professionals from around the world. This year’s conference will be held in Aurora, Colorado. Attendees will gain insights and practical tips to elevate their performance quickly.

More nonprofit events for your calendar for the rest of the year.

Upcoming seasonal events to celebrate with your board

• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Use this month to spotlight health initiatives, support fundraising effort, and ensure your organization is prioritizing inclusive, accessible care. It’s also a great time to review how your board supports awareness campaigns and community outreach.
• October is also Cybersecurity Awareness Month: As we have noted, boards play a critical role in protecting their organizations from cyber threats. This month, take time to assess your cybersecurity policies, educate board members on digital risks, and ensure your governance practices support a secure operating environment.
• 5 October is World Teachers’ Day:Celebrate the impact of educators by highlighting your organization’s work in education and advocacy. Boards can use this day to reflect on how they support teacher-focused programs and ensure strategic alignment with educational goals.
• 11 October is International Day of the Girl: This is an ideal opportunity for boards to champion programs that empower girls through education, leadership, and safety. Review your organization’s impact and consider how your board can advocate for greater investment in girls’ futures.
• 16 October is International Credit Union Day: Mark this day by reaffirming your board’s commitment to ethical governance and member-focused service. It’s also a good opportunity to engage with your community and highlight your organization’s role in financial inclusion.

More special events to celebrate this year here and download the full seasonal calendar for free here to share with your board.

Celebrating our Community Champions

Congratulations to Melinda J. Carpenter, Executive Administrative Assistant at One Credit Union! Melinda is being recognized this month as one of our Community Champions.

Would you like to nominate someone for our Diligent Community Champions? Nominate your champion here!

People of Purpose: Meet Sarah Miller

This month, we’re proud to highlight a team member whose genuine passion for client success and building strong connections inspires us every day.

Sarah Miller is a Manager of Customer Success for BoardEffect, and her journey with Diligent began in 2018. Her most recent role before joining Diligent was as Health and Wellness Director for a nonprofit, an experience that deepened her understanding of the unique challenges faced by purpose-led organizations. Find out what Sarah likes doing outside work at Diligent.

What's trending

Our pick of the newest and most popular items on our blog this month:

• Cyber regulations and data protection: What volunteer boards need to know
• Did you know that board management software isn’t just for boards?
• A beginner’s guide to nonprofit board membership
• Download our free Robert's Rules of Order cheatsheet

Give your feedback and win!

We love to hear what leaders think about issues and key topics that affect mission-driven organizations. How important is cybersecurity to your board and organization? Take a moment to tell us about this in this month’s survey (and you could win a $50 gift card!).