Nonprofit organizations in Washington team up with UC Berkeley and Okta to bolster cybersecurity defenses against potential digital threats.
In the face of escalating cyber threats against critical services, a strategic partnership has been forged between WaTech, Okta, and the University of California, Berkeley's Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC). The collaboration aims to bolster the digital defenses of underfunded public interest organizations across various sectors, including nonprofits, schools, hospitals, and civic services.
The alliance is bolstered by a $500,000 grant from Okta, Inc.'s social impact and sustainability division, Okta for Good. This funding extends CLTC's public interest cybersecurity initiative, an undertaking designed to heighten the digital resilience of resource-strapped public interest organizations.
A significant component of this funding will be dedicated to Cybersecurity for Cities and Nonprofits (CyberCAN), an initiative aimed at enhancing municipal governments' understanding of nonprofits' digital security challenges. By identifying solutions to strengthen local organizations' cybersecurity, this initiative aims to foster a more secure digital environment in communities. CyberCAN initially launched in 2024 with a successful pilot program with the City and County of San Francisco.
In the ensuing year, 2025, CyberCAN will extend its reach in Washington state through a partnership with WaTech, the state's technology services agency. This collaboration will see CLTC researchers survey numerous nonprofits across Washington, engage in in-depth interviews with local IT and cybersecurity leaders, and produce a customized report to help state and local governments better protect essential nonprofits from mounting cyber threats.
Speaking about the importance of this endeavor, Sarah Powazek, Program Director of Public Interest Cybersecurity at CLTC, stated, "Given the critical role state and local governments play as the last line of defense for communities' most vulnerable populations, we cannot tolerate the risk of their services being disrupted by cyberattacks. We are thrilled to broaden our CyberCAN work at the state level, thereby better positioning Washington's state and local governments to safeguard their nonprofits."
Okta for Good's generous support is expected to amplify CLTC's efforts to enhance the digital security of a diverse array of organizations, ranging from city administrations to schools and food banks, considered the lifeblood of American communities. These entities are particularly susceptible to ransomware and other cyberattacks. Ann Cleaveland, CLTC's Executive Director, further emphasized, "Okta for Good's contribution will fortify CLTC's efforts to secure a wide spectrum of organizations, from city governments to schools and food banks—the essential pillars of our communities."
The $500,000 grant forms part of Okta for Good's broader $50 million, five-year commitment to develop a safer, more interconnected world. In fiscal year 2025, Okta for Good, Okta, Inc., and Okta, Inc. employees donated $8.7 million in cash, $6.5 million worth of technology and services, and supported over 4,600 nonprofits via charitable contributions and volunteer work.
The Director of Social Impact at Okta for Good, Victor Cordon, underscored their vision as one that aims to grant everyone the freedom to use technology safely, a goal they pursue through grant funding, their identity software platform, and the expertise of their employees. He expressed enthusiasm about partnering with CLTC's Public Interest Cybersecurity Program, which undertakes various initiatives to improve the cybersecurity of a broad array of public interest organizations.
Integrating Enrichment Data: In addition to the collaboration between WaTech, Okta, and UC Berkeley's CLTC, there are organizations dedicated to providing cybersecurity resources and guidance for small businesses, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and nonprofits, such as the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA). The GCA offers actionable tools, best practices, and research to help these entities minimize cybersecurity risks.
- The University of California, Berkeley's Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC) is part of a strategic partnership with WaTech and Okta, a collaboration aimed at bolstering the digital defenses of underfunded public interest organizations.
- One of the initiatives funded by the partnership is Cybersecurity for Cities and Nonprofits (CyberCAN), which aims to enhance municipal governments' understanding of nonprofits' digital security challenges.
- In 2025, CyberCAN will extend its reach in Washington state through a partnership with WaTech, engaging in surveys, interviews, and producing a customized report to help state and local governments better protect essential nonprofits from cyber threats.
- The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) is another organization that provides cybersecurity resources and guidance for small businesses, MSMEs, and nonprofits, offering actionable tools, best practices, and research to help these entities minimize cybersecurity risks.
