In 2018, civil society is almost entirely reliant on technology to operate, from information management platforms to basic communication tools. This digital infrastructure connects us at a broader scale than ever before, but it also opens up new vulnerabilities that often remain invisible until they are used against us.
Technology gives us superpowers – but it is also our Achilles heel.
That’s why we partnered with the Ford Foundation to look at how civil society can strengthen their digital security, what and who is out there to support them, and how they can develop better digital security practices. We’re thrilled to share this research publicly today, in our new report: Ties That Bind: Organisational Security for Civil Society.
The full report is available for download, as is the Executive Summary, in both English and Spanish.
📄Download the full report [PDF] or the Executive Summary [PDF] 📄
📄Descargue el informe [PDF] o el resumen ejecutivo [PDF] 📄
How to use this research
As with all the research that we do here at The Engine Room, we hope it will be used and useful. We created this report for civil society actors who are wondering why digital security matters to their work; for digital security support providers wanting to know how to improve the support they provide; and for funders looking to better serve their grantees.
We’re conscious that long PDF reports might not be the best way for the busy people we just listed to make use of our research, though. So, we’re trying out a new format of sharing our findings. Introducing: the Propeller Series, an email digest with key findings from the research that will land in your inbox once per week for six weeks from the day you sign up for it.
Sign up here to receive the digest at any time.
If any of the findings resonate particularly with you, and you’re wondering where to begin with boosting your digital security practices, we’re here to help. Schedule a call with us as part of our light touch support program. We’d be happy to talk through your next steps.