When the organization has low technology support

Short term solutions

• Free Support Networks (requires partnership)
  • East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defender Project (EHAHRDP):   https://www.defenddefenders.org/
  • Access Now's Digital Security Helpline:   https://www.accessnow.org/
  • Frontline Defenders:  https://www.frontlinedefenders.org
  • The ISC Project:  https://iscproject.org/

Long term strategies

• Training of Trainers (ToT)
  • Invest in education of existing IT staff
  • Look into conferences that will help expand knowledge and create partnerships
    • International Freedom Festival
    • RightsCon
  • Gather information from other human rights organizations about their IT support
    • Internal IT staff tends to be trustworthy since sales doesn't play a role, but this may not be an option due to funding or size of organization
    • The civil society community may have a trusted IT contractor who has a long history of involvement
    • If a complete lack of a trusted support person exists, the community may be able to work together to reach out to international organizations for assistance in developing one.  Maybe even a pool of funding could be created.
  • Development of Digisec Community
    • Several organizations agree to support IT staff or tech savvy employees in creating digital security conscious community
    • This essentially established a trusted committee to help solve issues through identify resources, developing expertise, and outreach.
    • Probably will require funding to obtain professional development
  • Internship or Fellowship Programs
    • Fellowship that places a tech-savvy person within your organization
    • OpenTech Fund
    • Must include a plan for when the fellow leaves, such as identifying staff or a professional that will develop their skills alongside the fellow. Otherwise this activity will only be a bandaid.
    • Fellows should come with a supporting organization to assist with professional advice

When the organization has few financial resources

Donation Programs

• Microsoft through TechSoup Global:   http://www.techsoup.global/
• Windows 10 is currently free and seems to turn pirated versions into valid versions
• Google Apps for Non-Profits:  https://www.google.com/nonprofits/join/

Free Alternatives

• PRISM Break lists many:   https://prism-break.org/en/
• Open Source as Alternative (Osalt):  http://www.osalt.com/

Funders Focusing on Security for Human Rights Orgs

• OpenTech Fund (applications not always open):  https://www.opentech.fund/funding
• Front Line Defenders grantt program for Human Right Defender at risk  https://frontlinedefenders.org/security-grants-programme

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