Product donation is Symantec’s largest mechanism to support the nonprofit community and help nonprofits fulfill their missions. In partnership with TechSoup, each year we provide cyber security solutions to more than 25,000 organizations across 55 countries worldwide, allowing them to secure their most important data wherever it lives. Since launching the software donation program in 2002, Symantec has helped more than 93,000 nonprofits solve today’s biggest security challenges and protect against the ever-evolving threat landscape.
As the Symantec Internet Threat Report showed, there were more than 429 million exposed identities in 2015. And despite noble missions, nonprofits are not immune. Like businesses, they must also take the critical steps to protect their stakeholder’s sensitive information. In the case of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), their data and records include confidential details about each child they serve.
Across the United States, CASA is known for its steadfast commitment to and advocacy for children. The nonprofit works diligently to provide court-appointed volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children who are involved in the foster care and court system. Last year, more than 76,000 CASA and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers helped more than 251,000 children find safe, permanent homes. Needless to say, all of the data associated with these children must be kept secure.
Unlike businesses with dedicated IT teams, CASA of the Tri-Peaks, which represents the 15th Judicial District of Arkansas, has a small staff of two full-time and two part-time employees, tasked with not only advocating on behalf of 200 youth each year, but also managing operations including their technology systems. Their electronic records include personal data not only on their cases, but also their 40 plus community volunteers, financial donations and staff.
After receiving a local community grant, CASA of the Tri-Peaks had the opportunity to upgrade its computer systems. Through Symantec’s software donation partnership with TechSoup, they chose to deploy Symantec’s Norton Small Business to protect the organization’s data from viruses, spyware, malware and other security threats. Symantec protects all of CASA’s computers and tablets—allowing CASA staff and volunteers to focus on the children, attending court appointments, providing judges with carefully researched backgrounds and assisting the children in expressing his or her own “voice” which can often go unheard in these official proceedings—ultimately advocating for each child to help the court make a sound decision about that child’s future.
“Data security is quite important at CASA because we are managing highly confidential information on behalf of children. We have to maintain the integrity of the data given to us and ensure its secured at all times—not only information about the children and their cases, but also our volunteers, who have entrusted us with their sensitive data as well. Having trust in Symantec with their Norton products, gives me the comfort of knowing our electronic records are safe and secure at all times,” said Cheri Garcez, Executive Director, CASA of the Tri-Peaks.
According to CASA, children who have been assigned an advocate through the organization often spend less time in court and less time within the foster care system than those who do not have CASA representation. They often suffer fewer temporary placements and find safe, permanent homes—or are reunited with their parents—more quickly. Symantec products help this small but nimble CASA team focus on the children they serve, making a lasting impact and forever changing lives.
Jaime Barclay is Symantec’s Manager, Corporate Responsibility