Charity Digital – Topics – Cyber security threats to watch out for in 2026
Charity Digital – Topics – Cyber security threats to watch out for in 2026
https://charitydigital.org.uk/topics/cyber-security-threats-to-watch-out-for-in-2026-12637
Publish Date: 2026-06-22 06:52:00
Source Domain: charitydigital.org.uk
Cyber threats can affect any organisation, but they can have a disproportionate impact on the charity sector, who provide vital services to their communities and protect large swathes of personal data. A cyber breach can cause disruption to services, data loss, financial damage, and reputational harm – all of which can be extremely challenging to a charity committed to doing good work with already limited time and budgets.
One thing the charity sector can do to prepare for and mitigate the impact of cyber threats in the sector is learn from each other. The 2026 Cyber Breaches survey, conducted by the UK Government, showed that recent high-profile cyber attacks in the media had “moved the perception risk from cyber attacks and breaches up the agenda within organisations”. Organisations are taking cyber security more seriously, understanding the potential ramifications of a cyber threat, and taking action to prevent them.
In this article, we explore a few of the cyber threats that charities need to watch out for in 2026, with lessons from those that have recently made the headlines. We’ll also share practical steps charities can take to mitigate those threats, with insight from cyber security software providers Avast.
Charities can access Avast products at a discount through Charity Digital, making it easier for non-profits of all sizes to implement robust cyber security to meet the evolving threats.
Cyber threats to watch out for in 2026
The prospect of experiencing a cyber breach as a result of a deep fake feels fantastical. But, particularly with the advent of AI, that is no longer the case.
AI is making cyber threats more convincing and more sophisticated. With generative AI tools, it is easier than ever to create a convincing logo or email that poses as a legitimate organisation to defraud people, persuading them to give away money or access to data that can…
