REMOTE OPERATIONS
FPLG COVID-19 RESPONSE
REMOTE OPERATIONS
[UPDATE: October 21, 2020]
With the pandemic crisis moving into the winter months, nonprofits are adjusting to the reality that some or all remote operations may be necessary into 2021. Surveys show that many organizations are considering continuing with some virtual activities (including having certain employees off-site) even after the COVID-19 danger lessens. Recent high-profile computer breaches, though, have underscored the importance of strengthening cyber security protections especially since the technology and data management functions have been largely decentralized.
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[UPDATE: May 26, 2020]
Nonprofits are generally adapting to the use of telecommunications for their business operations as well as for meetings, programs, and events. It’s an open question if organizations will choose to continue remote operations will continue, in whole or in part, when the pandemic subsides.
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[April 6, 2020]
While moving towards a remote workforce may have been an option a month ago, many nonprofits that don’t conduct “essential services” have now been required to move entirely offsite and online.
This sudden shift raises enormous operational and technological challenges. Happily, many service providers and consultants are offering temporary free information, advice, and platforms to get hooked up virtually.
There are other new challenges: first, creating or adapting telecommuting policies to fit these extraordinary circumstances, and second, defending against cyber attacks and other breaches of data privacy and security, as well as the threat of internal wrongdoing like embezzlement.
The sudden move to remote operations was just one aspect of this enormous pandemic calamity. Initially, the focus was on the daunting details of hooking up and configuring electronic and communications hardware and software in millions of private homes….The matter of security, though, was – in many instances – forgotten entirely, underestimated or misunderstood, or brushed aside until later; … a big problem.
— Linda J. Rosenthal, J.D., FPLG Blog (10/21/20)
Virtual work can easily zap our energy and drain our emotions bringing on a type of malaise called “Virtual or Zoom Fatigue.”
— Beth Kantor (4/30/20)
Emergencies can create scenarios where it is tempting to disregard fundamental internal controls …. If anything, crisis scenarios require more care with respect to internal controls ….
— Wagenmaker & Oberly (3/20)
Malicious cyber actors could take advantage of public concern surrounding COVID-19 by conducting phishing attacks ….
— DHS, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
- Quarantined Nonprofits: Cyber Security Worries (October 21, 2020) Linda J. Rosenthal, J.D., FPLG Blog
- Spotting Spam at Your Nonprofit (October 7, 2020) Nadine Argueza, TechSoup Blog
- Strengthening Internal Control in the COVID-19 Environment (August 19, 2020), Cara DeMartini, CPA, of BDO USA
- How Nonprofits Have Pivoted to Online Work Part Two (July 13, 2020) Jim Lynch, TechSoup Blog
- Nonprofit Remote Security During COVID-19 (July 9, 2020) Roger Rustad, TechSoup Blog
- How Nonprofits Have Pivoted to Online Work, Part One (July 7, 2020) Jim Lynch, TechSoup Blog
- 69% of Nonprofits Considering Long-Term Remote Work: Study (June 11, 2020) Chris Strub, Forbes
- Nonprofits Go Remote (June 2, 2020) Alex Daniels et al., Forbes
- How COVID-19 Is Changing the Technology Needs of Nonprofits (May 8, 2020) Kaia Swift, TechSoup Blog
- Unanticipated Crisis Lessons: Nonprofit’s Pivot to Online Increases Participation (May 1, 2020) Julie Euber, The Nonprofit Quarterly
- Five Tips for Nonprofits to Avoid Virtual Fatigue (April 30, 2020) Beth Kantor, Beth’s Blog
- Keeping Your Nonprofit’s Systems Secure During the COVID-19 Pandemic (April 3, 2020) Linda Widdop & Michael Enos, TechSoup Blog
- Who’s Zoomin’ Who? Dangers Lurk in Our Meeting Spaces (April 3, 2020) Carole Levine, The Nonprofit Quarterly
- Resources For Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19 (March 2020) TechSoup
- The sgENGAGE Podcast Episode 140: Tips for Working Remotely Amidst COVID-19 (March 26, 2020) sgENGAGE Team
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