ChurchSafety

Computer use is on the rise in the church setting. As a result, the amount of sensitive data stored on those computers has increased.  Churches are not immune to security risks including loss of data, protection of privacy, and damaging viruses. Learn how to reduce security risks and make the most of your technology with our simple tips.

• What's the password? Protect sensitive data by assigning levels of software access based on individual passwords.  Give people access to what they need for their position and nothing more. 
  
  
• Install security software. Use reliable spyware and anti-virus software to protect your systems.  Consider programs that allow an administrator to track what sites users are accessing from their computer.
  
  
• Back it up. Have a regular schedule to back-up files.  Do it yourself by downloading files or hire an off-site service to do it for you.
  
  
• Revisit the open-door policy. Weigh the benefits of an open-door policy in the church office against the risk it presents to information security. If you decide to install an office security system, investigate the options and get more than one bid.
  
  

• Manage your data. Make your church records work for you and not against you. Think about what relationships you want to show between different pieces of information—like giving records, attendance and ministry interests—and investigate a database management system that can handle it.
  
  
• Picture this.  Consider church management software that includes a pictorial directory.  Some programs offer printable information sheets that pull together information in your database with a photo of the individual.
  
  
• Let software do the hard work. Some programs can analyze data and project trends.  Other software makes it easy to store alternate addresses and create custom reports from different systems.  The key is that the software produces information you can really use. 
  
  

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