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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