Principle 6: Skills

Leaders should ensure employees have basic digital skills or support them to gain basic digital skills. Plenty of resources, often free, can help that skill acquisition.

Charity leaders should champion ‘cyber awareness’, ensuring all staff are aware of the risks of cyber attacks. Incorporating cyber awareness in your charity is crucial for prevention, equipping your staff with the necessary knowledge to mitigate many of the risks.

Charities may need to think creatively about how they attract staff or volunteers with digital and AI skills (e.g. by developing partnerships with organisations who can source digital volunteers, technology companies, or universities).

Digital and AI skills should be developed in line with organisational strategy, such as improving impact, understanding beneficiaries’ needs and staff motivation, and increasing productivity and efficiency as well as agility. The Digital and HR/Learning and Development teams should collaborate to enhance the organisation’s digital skills and Communities of Practice should be explored as a valuable method for fostering digital skills.

Charities should also consider opportunities to maximise digital and data skills sharing within organisations (e.g. through reverse mentoring or informal coaching).