Forum

Elder

You request is very timely. We are releasing a book that covers much of this very issue. The tiltle is Cyber Security for Today's Church by T.G. Sampson

I will check to see if Terry can add this topic before publication.

In early 2009, I had received a number of phone calls and email requesting information and resources on securing the church website and networks. While there are a number sources for this information, I wanted to publish a manual from a Christian author for Christian churches. With this in mind, I went to close friend that is a very strong Christian and also charge with maintaining the network, software and Internet access for one of the nations largest military bases.
Terry has been involved in the world of computers and the Internet for as long as I have known him. While having breakfast at a small group meeting, I mentioned the need to increase security on church websites. Terry immediately volunteered his help in putting together a basic manual that can be used by smaller churches in understanding the protective measures that should be implemented.

Table of Contents

Section I: Introduction (Is your Church safe from the outside in?)

Section II: Setting Internal Cyber Security (ICYSEC)
A: VIRUSES AND WORMS
Step 1: Choosing the right Virus Protection. To Free, or not to Free, that is the question?
Step 2: On which computers do I install the Virus Protection?
B: PHISHING WITHOUT A NET!
So what is Phishing then?
Spear phishing, the new kid on the block
Phishing nets (Handling phish, spam and junk mail).

C: KEEPING THE PASTOR SAFE
Step 1: Preparing the Pastor for Cyber Safety:
Step 2: Priorities for Switching the pastor’s Account from Administrative to Restricted.
Step 3: Creating the accounts on the pastors machine.
Step 4: Installing and Uninstalling software from the pastor’s machine using the new setup.

Section III: Is Your Church Website Safe?
A: WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO ATTRACT?
Home Page: Content to Avoid and Content to Keep
About Us: What To Say without Saying Anything
Contact Page: The No Name Game
Events and Services: Suffer the little children
Other Links: Where Are You Taking Them?

Section IV: Worksheets
A: CHECKLISTS FOR ICYSEC (INTERNAL CIBER SECURITY)
B: CHECKLIST FOR EMAIL CLIENT
C: CHECKLIST FOR PASTOR COMPUTER SAFETY
D: WEBSITE CHECKLIST