Kiwi charities urged to prioritise expert IT over volunteers

Not-for-profit organisations are being urged to prioritise proven technological expertise over volunteer-led IT support to ensure secure and effective operational systems.

Andrew Hunt, Managing Director of managed services provider Kinetics, underscores the importance of specialised skills in managing not-for-profit technological needs. "Volunteers are the lifeblood of many Kiwi not-for-profits and charities, but their invaluable efforts should be focused on where they can make a real difference, without exposing the organisation to potential risks," he asserts.

Hunt highlights critical issues like information security, the legality of software licensing, and the necessity of reliable systems for daily operations. "For example, information security is a major issue, as these entities often handle the private and financial data of donors and the general public. Then there's software licensing; is everything above board, and is the organisation accessing the best deal? And, of course, like any organisation, reliable systems are essential for daily operations. A failure in some of these areas could be terminal, for example a data breach. So in that sense you could argue IT is even more important than their lifeblood... volunteers," he explained.

Research from NetChange Consulting illustrates the sector's needs, revealing that only 11% of not-for-profits rate their approach to digital technology as highly effective. This concern is shared by Deaf Aotearoa General Manager Mark Crooke, who underscores the necessity of quality IT services that meet budget constraints.

"If we had the funds, we'd have a full-blown IT department, but that's not the case," Crooke states. "Technology is essential to everything we do, and getting it right directly affects our performance." To address these requirements, Deaf Aotearoa has engaged Kinetics' services as a strategic decision.

The organisation sought more robust structures as it scaled, focusing on efficiency, effectiveness, and security controls. "As we started to scale up, more rigour was necessary for achieving efficiency and effectiveness, and security controls. We also wanted a more strategic approach for our architecture and services – after all, technology changes fast, and we wanted to benefit from any developments which could help our service delivery, while avoiding those which might be nothing more than a distraction," Crooke elaborates.

Partnering with Kinetics, which has expertise in various sectors, including not-for-profits, has provided Deaf Aotearoa with needed IT support. "Whether that's guidance on overall IT strategy, or procurement of equipment and services necessary for our people to get their work done or getting software licensing optimised," Crooke mentions.

Cybersecurity remains a pivotal concern, given Deaf Aotearoa's obligation to protect sensitive data. "Data security is very high on the agenda. It is essential that we have the right risk and data management policies for our trading relationships including with banks, as well as resilience plans. This is increasingly a requirement to trade and impacts our ability to obtain insurance," Crooke points out.

He further acknowledges the complexities of software licensing. "We know we're getting the maximum for the least amount of money as a not-for-profit. And in terms of IT strategy and execution, we benefit from emerging technology when appropriate."

Artificial intelligence is one such emerging technology, presenting both potential and risk. "AI is here and now. Kinetics works closely with us to see how we can best apply it within our environment and to the benefit of our people. Through training and workshops, they're helping establish policies first, with a managed approach which reduces risk, while exposing the benefits," Crooke explains.

Reliable IT support ensures Deaf Aotearoa can focus on its core mission without IT disruptions. "When issues do crop up, we always have someone ready to take care of it. There's simply no need to worry about it," Crooke asserts.

Offering a word of caution to other charities and not-for-profits, Crooke concludes, "As an NFP, there's sometimes a temptation to look at cheaper options. My advice is don't do it when it comes to essential infrastructure and services like your IT estate. This stuff is crucial to our value proposition, and by using quality equipment supported accordingly, we achieve more."