It’s no surprise that cyber-attacks are on the rise. At ACS Financial, we see it firsthand. Churches and ministries use email, online banking, and websites daily, making them easy targets. Plus, with church organisations regularly relying on volunteers to manage tasks, including handling sensitive information and donations, you need the proper protection. We’ve put together straight answers to the most common misconceptions we hear.
“We already invest in IT security, so no need for cyber insurance”
Churches install locks or alarm systems to protect their property, yet wouldn’t question the importance of building and contents insurance to provide a secondary source of protection for their property to protect against burglary. Think of IT security like putting locks on your church doors – it helps, but it’s not enough. Even with good security, someone might still click a bad link or lose a laptop. Since cyber threats keep changing, you can’t be 100% safe. That’s where cyber insurance comes in – when things go wrong.
| Misconception | IT security investment is sufficient protection |
| Reality | No system is 100% secure; human error remains a risk |
| Strategy | Compared to physical security – locks don’t eliminate the need for property insurance. |
“We outsource our IT so they will handle everything.”
Using an IT company doesn’t remove your risk. If they have a data breach, it may still fall on you to notify affected parties and deal with any regulatory reporting obligations. If an external IT provider’s systems go down, your church operations could stop, too. Most IT companies limit what they’ll pay if something goes wrong. Certain Cyber Insurance policies can extend to cover these gaps, protecting you even when using outside IT help.
| Misconception | Third-party IT services eliminate cyber risk |
| Reality | Organisations may still retain legal responsibility for breaches |
| Strategy | Highlight service provider liability limitations and coverage gaps |
“We’re only a small church, we’re hardly the target for cyber criminals”
High-profile cyber attacks make the news, but smaller organisations get hit more often. Why? Because they’re easy targets. Criminals look for the easiest way in, not the biggest prize. Cyber insurance helps smaller organisations by providing protection against the rising number of cyber incidents and access to experts to respond to an incident—resources you might not have.
| Misconception | Small organisations aren’t cyber attack targets |
| Reality | Smaller organisations are often preferred targets |
| Strategy | Emphasise higher vulnerability and include expert support |
“We’re not collecting private or valuable information, so there’s no target on our back.”
| Misconception | No sensitive data means no cyber risk |
| Reality | System disruption and financial fraud don’t require data theft |
| Strategy | Focus on operational risks and financial fraud scenarios |
You don’t need to have sensitive data to be at risk. If you use computers for anything – even just email, contact info storage or banking – you’re exposed. Ransomware and payment fraud are huge risks; they don’t need sensitive data to cause major damage. They can lock up your systems or trick you into sending money to the wrong place.
“Our current insurance covers some cyber areas.”
Some traditional insurance policies may provide some limited cyber coverage, but they will not offer full protection. Property insurance protects your building, not your computer systems. Most policies won’t cover scams or help you respond to cyber attacks. You need specific cyber coverage to fill these gaps and provide you with access to experts who handle these situations.
| Misconception | Existing policies provide sufficient coverage against cyber attack |
| Reality | Traditional policies have significant cyber coverage gaps |
| Strategy | Identify coverage gaps in traditional policies and compare with a standalone Cyber Liability Insurance product. |
“It’s another thing to pay for, and it’s probably not worth it.”
Consider what a cyber-attack could cost: paying a ransom, losing donations while your systems are down, rebuilding data, and the potential cost of legal fees all add up fast. Cyber insurance, aside from providing cover for financial loss, can give you immediate access to technical experts to help your organisation recover quickly. The insurance cost is relatively small when considering what you could lose.
| Misconception | Cyber insurance costs outweigh the benefits |
| Reality | Traditional Potential losses far exceed premium costs |
| Strategy | Compare premium to potential incident costs and included services |
We’re Here to Help
Churches are special—they need protection and a provider that understands how they work. At ACS Financial, we recognise the risk exposures and have access to specialised products to protect your organisation. We can find coverage that fits your needs and budget.
Want to know more? Contact ACS Financial today. Let’s protect your church so you can focus on what really matters—your ministry and community.
Call 1800 646 777 today