Understanding the Security Behind Church Giving Software

$343 billion is expected to be lost to online payment fraud between 2023 and 2027. Wow!

Here's the problem: Just because your church isn't a business doesn't mean your church or your members can't fall victim to scams, hackers, or fraud.

Now more than ever, churches need to protect themselves and their donors.

Churches Need Secure Giving Solutions

In their 2023 Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations: Innovation Amidst and Beyond COVID-19 study, the Hartford Institute for Religion Research found that 69% of congregations had adopted online giving and mobile giving, up from 50% surveyed pre-pandemic in 2020.

This is great news for churches wanting to secure their financial future! Because many of those same churches in the survey also reported a greater per capita rate of donations than the churches that don't use online giving. See the chart below.

But There Are Risks...

Online donation software is a boon for many churches, giving them the funds they need to pay the bills and do the Lord's work. But it's not without risks...

• Hackers can use the donation platform to access your church's bank account and wipe out all your funds
• Scammers can use your donation page to test stolen credit cards, leaving your church on the hook for chargebacks. Yuck!
• Your church members' card or bank account info can be compromised with a security breach

So...is your church's giving secure?

Is Your Church's Giving Secure?

Are you one of the 69% of churches using online giving? If so, is the platform you're using as secure as possible? And does your church practice safe online giving?

Let's talk about secure church online giving platforms and what your church can do to stay safe.

Look for These 6 Security Features in Church Giving Software

When choosing an online giving provider, make sure they provide these features (or integrate with a platform that does):

1. Encryption: Effective encryption is paramount for protecting sensitive data during transmission. Church giving software should utilize robust encryption protocols, such as SSL/TLS, to encrypt all communication between donors' devices and the server
2. PCI Compliance: Compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) is essential for safeguarding credit card information. Church giving software should adhere to PCI standards, implementing measures such as data encryption, regular security audits, and secure storage practices to prevent unauthorized access to cardholder data
3. Two-Factor Authentication: Adding an extra layer of security through two-factor authentication (2FA) helps prevent unauthorized access to donor accounts. By requiring donors to verify their identity using a second factor, such as a code sent to their mobile device, church giving software can mitigate the risk of account compromise and fraudulent transactions
4. Fraud Detection: Advanced fraud detection mechanisms can help identify and prevent suspicious activities, such as unusual transaction patterns or high-risk transactions
5. Secure Data Storage: Properly securing donor data is crucial for maintaining trust and compliance with data protection regulations. Church giving software should employ secure data storage practices, including encryption at rest, access controls, and regular backups, to protect donor information from unauthorized access or data breaches
6. Compliance with Privacy Regulations: Compliance with privacy regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), is essential for safeguarding donor privacy and ensuring transparent data handling practices. Church giving software should comply with relevant privacy laws and provide clear information to donors about how their personal data is collected, stored, and used

But these 6 features still aren't enough. Securing online church donations isn't a "set it and forget it" feature, even if you have the most secure platform available.

So before I get into what to look for in church giving software providers, let's talk about what you can do to protect your church and members.

Best Practices for Churches Using Giving Software

Educating staff, volunteers, and members on phishing scams and online fraud helps them avoid suspicious activity. This will go a long way to help avoid financial loss and data breaches.

Strong passwords and regular password changes greatly improve account security and prevent unauthorized access. Teach your members to use strong passwords for everything, and make sure you and your leaders and regularly changing passwords on devices you use at church.

Make it a habit to address these issues regularly. Consider asking your Sunday School or small group leaders to teach their groups on this topic. Once every few months is a great start.

What to Look for in Church Giving Software Providers

As you have figured out by now, prioritizing security features is crucial.

Look for providers who offer robust security and PCI compliance to safeguard donor information. Reach out to providers and ask detailed questions about their security measures, including data storage protocols and access controls.

However, here's a shortcut you can use: Checking user reviews.

User reviews give you a glimpse into a provider's reliability and trustworthiness. If other churches have experienced issues with fraud or security on any platform, don't bother with that platform.

Choose the Best Church Giving Software for Your Church

Churches must prioritize the security of their online giving platform. There's too much at stake to take secure giving for granted!

To protect donors and your institution, choose a secure online giving solution and educate staff and members on cybersecurity best practices. These two things alone could help more people see your church as safe and trustworthy.

You'll breathe easier knowing your church and your members are much safer from fraud!