From Ransomware to Phishing: How Cyber Insurance Shields Your Ministry

Introduction – A Growing Threat for Ministries

Today’s ministries are more connected than ever. Churches use online giving platforms, maintain donor databases, store counseling notes digitally, and communicate with members by email and text. These tools make ministry work easier, but they also create vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals are targeting churches and nonprofits at increasing rates, knowing they often lack strong IT defenses.

Unfortunately, many ministries assume their general liability insurance covers cyber incidents. It doesn’t. That’s where cyber liability insurance steps in, offering the protection churches need in 2025 and beyond. At Strong Tower Insurance, we specialize in helping churches and nonprofits navigate these modern risks and secure coverage that keeps their mission safe.

What Is Cyber Liability Insurance?

Cyber liability insurance is a specialized type of coverage designed to protect organizations from the financial and legal consequences of digital threats. While general liability covers bodily injuries and property damage, it does not cover:

• Data breaches(e.g., donor or congregant information stolen)
• Ransomware attacks that lock critical church systems
• Fraudulent fund transfers caused by phishing emails
• Privacy lawsuits if personal data is exposed
  
  

Cyber insurance bridges this gap by covering both the cost of responding to an attack and the liability a church faces afterward.

Why Cyber Risks Matter to Ministries

Cybercrime isn’t just a “big business” issue anymore. Industry reports show that nonprofits are among the fastest-growing targets for cyberattacks. Why?

• Churches and nonprofits collect sensitive data — names, addresses, giving records, financial details, and sometimes medical or counseling information.
• Limited IT resources make ministries more vulnerable than corporations.
• Growing online giving platforms provide tempting entry points for hackers.
  
  

The consequences can be devastating:

• Financial strain from ransom demands or recovery costs
• Legal liability if personal information is exposed
• Loss of trust from donors, congregants, and the wider community

Key Components of Cyber Insurance for Churches

First-Party Costs

These are expenses your church incurs directly after a cyberattack, including:

• Hiring forensic IT teams to find the breach
• Restoring lost or damaged data
• Covering business interruption losses if systems are down
  
  

Third-Party Liability

If congregants, donors, or employees sue because their data was compromised, this coverage helps pay for:

• Legal defense costs
• Court settlements or judgments
• Regulatory response if state or federal agencies are involved
  
  

Ransomware & Cyber Extortion

Hackers may lock your systems and demand payment. Cyber insurance can cover the negotiation process, legal review, and—where legally permissible—extortion payments.

Social Engineering & Funds Transfer Fraud

Ministries are frequent targets of email scams. If a staff member is tricked into wiring funds to a fraudulent account, this endorsement can help cover the loss.

Real-World Scenarios for Churches

• Hacked Giving Platform: An Orlando church discovered their online donation platform was compromised, exposing hundreds of donors’ credit card numbers. Cyber coverage helped pay for notification, credit monitoring, and legal costs.
• Phishing Attack: A staff member at a Greenville nonprofit clicked on a fake invoice, leading to a $25,000 fraudulent transfer. With social engineering coverage, the loss was reimbursed.
• Ransomware Lockdown: A Nashville ministry’s counseling records were encrypted by ransomware. Cyber insurance paid for forensic IT recovery and ensured compliance with privacy laws.

Common Issues Ministries Face

Many churches don’t realize until it’s too late that:

• Their general liability policy excludes cyber risks.
• Volunteer-run IT systems may not meet insurer requirements.
• They underestimate how much coverage they need, thinking a $50,000 policy is enough when breaches can cost six figures.
• Board members assume their D&O policy covers cyber governance failures —but in most cases, it doesn’t.

How Strong Tower Insurance Helps

Strong Tower Insurance focuses exclusively on ministries and nonprofits. We help by:

• Reviewing existing policies to identify cyber coverage gaps
• Explaining requirements in plain language for boards and trustees
• Partnering with insurers who understand nonprofit risks
• Recommending affordable solutions, often bundled with other ministry insurance
• Guiding churches on cyber risk management—like multi-factor authentication, staff training, and secure backups
  
  

Our mission is simple: keep your ministry protected so you can focus on serving your community, not battling hackers.

Secure Your Ministry’s Digital Future

Don’t Wait for a Breach to Find Out You’re Exposed

Cyber risks aren’t going away—they’re increasing. Protecting your ministry today means you’ll be ready when, not if, a cyber event occurs.

Strong Tower Insurance proudly serves churches and nonprofits across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Whether you’re a small rural congregation or a large multi-campus ministry, we’ll help you find the right cyber liability coverage at a fair price.

Contact us today for a free cyber insurance quote—and give your church the peace of mind it deserves.