High-Risk Communities
High-risk communities play a critical role in providing services and advancing causes upon which people around the world depend. These communities include activists, journalists, human rights defenders, academics, and other employees associated with civil society organizations that are at heightened risk of being targeted by cyber threat actors because of their identity or work. Many of these communities operate on lean budgets and cannot significantly invest in cybersecurity. As a result, they are a uniquely attractive target for cyber threat actors that leverage cyber intrusions to undermine the fundamental values and interests common to free societies.
CISA’s Role:
As America’s cyber defense agency, CISA coordinates with public and private sector partners to build the nation’s long-term capacity to withstand and operate through cyber incidents. Recognizing the cybersecurity threats that high-risk communities face, CISA has collaborated with government, industry, and civil society partners to develop cybersecurity resources including personal cybersecurity training, resources, and informational materials directly tailored to their unique cybersecurity needs.
Featured Content
Project Upskill: Cybersecurity Training
This series of "how-to" labs provides simple, non-technical guidance for individuals within high-risk organizations to meaningfully improve their cybersecurity posture.
Cybersecurity Resources for High-Risk Communities
Discover the suite of tools and services that CISA, industry, and civil society partners offer to high-risk communities.
Cyber Volunteer Resource Center
Learn more about your local cybersecurity volunteer clinic, how to become a volunteer, or how to receive help.
News & Events
CISA and UK NCSC Hold Inaugural Meeting of Strategic Dialogue on Cybersecurity of Civil Society Under Threat of Transnational Repression
During the Strategic Dialogue, eight countries convened to discuss ways to advance the cybersecurity of civil society and to align priorities for future work to support the cyber resilience of high-risk communities (HRCs).
FACT SHEET: Advancing Technology for Democracy | The White House
Learn more about the advancement of a technological ecosystem characterized by resilience and that reinforces democratic principles and human rights.
Joint Statement on the Strategic Dialogue on Cybersecurity of Civil Society Under Threat of Transnational Repression
The following is the text of a joint statement committed to by the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
United States Releases Guidance for Online Platforms On Protecting Human Rights Defenders Online
United States releases guidance for online platforms on protecting human rights defenders online.
Featured Articles
CISA does not endorse any commercial entity, product, company, or service, including any entities, products, or services mentioned within this document. Any reference to specific commercial entities, products, processes, or services by service mark, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by CISA.
Authentic8 launches Silo Shield program to protect high-risk communities
Authentic8 collaborated with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to elevate awareness of the cyber threats that high-risk communities experience and resources available to mitigate them.
Yubico joins CISA and the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative’s High-Risk Communities Protection initiative to continue helping secure high-risk individuals and organizations
Joining CISA’s new HRCP initiative helps provide Yubico with the opportunity to further their mission of putting YubiKeys in the hands of people that need it most.
Continuing our work with CISA and the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative to keep vulnerable communities secure online
With JCDC, Cloudflare is collaborating on three working groups to cover a range of topics for at-risk communities.
Bridging the Cybersecurity Gap for Nonprofits: A Collaborative Effort
Collaborative efforts of organizations like CISA, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Hewlett, Splunk and the CyberPeace Institute, along with civil society support, are making a significant impact in enhancing cyber resilience of high-risk communities.
CISA Releases Cyber Resources for High-Risk Community Organizations
The CLTC is a proud member of the JCDC HRCP cyber defense planning effort, and our team is excited to support the launch of HRCP tools and resources to help community organizations defend themselves against cyber threats.
CR’s Security Planner Featured on CISA’s High-Risk Communities Webpage
Security Planner is pleased to be included in CISA’s High-Risk Communities webpage, launched as the product of a year-long collaborative effort led by the JCDC.
U.S. Cyber Defense Agency Launches Website for High-Risk Communities, with Digital Safety Guidance from Pen America
CISA launched an initiative to support communities at heightened risk of digital security threats featuring resources from PEN America.
CISA High-Risk Communities Protection Resource Launch
The Strauss Center is excited to promote the launch of the HRCP webpage, developed through the JCDC, a public-private cybersecurity collaborative to unite the global cyber community in the collective defense of cyberspace.
Empowering Civil Society Organizations: Steps to Protect Data from Third-Party Cybersecurity Risks
Through participation in the JCDC’s High-Risk Communities planning effort, StateRAMP, CISA and industry and civil society partners are taking steps to address the rise in cyber threats against civil society organizations.
Mcdermott Provides Pro Bono Support to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Initiative
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery collaborated with the JCDC on the High-Risk Communities Protection effort to defend high-risk communities, including civil society organizations, against cyberattacks.
Talos Joins CISA to Counter Cyber Threats Against Non-Profits, Activists and Other At-Risk Communities
Cisco Talos is delighted to share updates about our ongoing partnership with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to combat cybersecurity threats facing civil society organizations.
Threat Intelligence to Protect Vulnerable Communities
On May 14, 2024, CISA released a High-Risk Communities Protection (HRCP) report developed through JCDC that addresses the threat to these vulnerable groups, with findings contributed by the X-Force Threat Intelligence team.
