Cyber security case study: The Salvation Army

Firsthand insights: How Northdoor secured The Salvation Army's mission

Are you ready to get in touch?

Request a Call back

Proven results: The Salvation Army leaders share real benefits of the Northdoor partnership

The Salvation Army, operating across 700+ UK locations with thousands of users and endpoints, faces unique cyber security challenges that require specialised expertise and dedicated solutions. This cyber security case study explores how The Salvation Army partnered with Northdoor to strengthen their digital defences while maintaining operational efficiency. As an organisation handling sensitive donor information and beneficiary data, The Salvation Army needed robust protection against evolving cyber threats without compromising their mission-critical services.

Through this strategic IT security partnership spanning over seven years, Northdoor has implemented comprehensive security solutions tailored to The Salvation Army’s complex environment. From data protection and third-party risk management to 24/7 security monitoring and staff education, this collaboration demonstrates how nonprofit organisations can achieve enterprise-grade security despite resource constraints.

The following video testimonials from The Salvation Army’s leadership provide firsthand insights into this successful partnership and the tangible benefits they’ve experienced through Northdoor’s IT and cybersecurity services.

Why The Salvation Army trusts Northdoor for IT and cyber security

In this testimonial, The Salvation Army’s leadership explains why they chose Northdoor as their trusted IT security partner. The IT security partnership between Northdoor and The Salvation Army has evolved over seven years, built on Northdoor’s technical expertise and deep understanding of the nonprofit’s unique challenges.

The video highlights how Northdoor acts as a “critical friend” who not only provides technology solutions but also challenges assumptions and identifies potential blind spots. Rather than pushing technology for its own sake, Northdoor begins by understanding The Salvation Army’s specific pain points and translating complex technical benefits into clear business value that resonates with board-level decision-makers. This consultative approach has been instrumental in building a relationship where 80% of Northdoor’s clients have remained partners for more than a decade.

Managing cyber and data Security – insights from The Salvation Army’s Head of Information Security

John Harrex, Head of Information Security at The Salvation Army, shares valuable perspectives on cyber security for nonprofits in this informative video. He discusses the evolution of cyber threats from predominantly automated attacks (phishing, DoS, virus exploits) to today’s more sophisticated targeted attacks, including impersonation and supply chain vulnerabilities.

John outlines the key challenges of maintaining security across The Salvation Army’s complex environment. He explains their strategic approach to outsourcing data and security operations to achieve 24/7 coverage through managed services. The implementation includes Microsoft Defender for Endpoints, multi-factor authentication, mobile asset management via Intune, and encryption with BitLocker. This comprehensive approach to cyber security for nonprofits demonstrates how large charitable organisations can implement enterprise-level security measures effectively.

The Salvation Army’s CIO discusses the importance of data security with Northdoor.

Miguel Fayos, Chief Information Officer at The Salvation Army UK & Ireland, brings a unique perspective to the challenges of protecting sensitive information across The Salvation Army’s 700 UK locations, including care homes, churches, and community centres.

Miguel outlines their multi-layered approach to data protection. The video also highlights specific technologies implemented with Northdoor’s guidance. This comprehensive approach to data security for charities demonstrates The Salvation Army’s commitment to protecting their most valuable digital assets.

Salvation Army’s CIO discusses the importance of cyber security with Northdoor’s CCO

This video features Miguel Fayos, CIO of The Salvation Army, discussing cyber security challenges and solutions with Northdoor’s Chief Commercial Officer AJ Thompson. The conversation begins with current cyber security threats, including a $1.5 billion scam involving North Korea, setting the context for why robust security measures are essential.

Miguel emphasises that data is one of The Salvation Army’s most valuable assets, requiring both technical safeguards and organisational accountability. He outlines the organisation’s core security practices and covers specific technologies implemented with Northdoor’s guidance. This cyber security case study demonstrates how nonprofit organisations can implement enterprise-grade security solutions with the right expertise and partnership.

Salvation Army’s Head of Information Security & Northdoor discuss the importance of cyber security

John Harrex, Head of Information Security at The Salvation Army, details how The Salvation Army has adopted enterprise-level tools and managed security services to achieve comprehensive protection. John explains their implementation of Managed Detection and Response (MDR) systems that provide 24/7 monitoring by combining automated threat detection with human verification. He also discusses their approach to third-party cyber risk management using specialised tools for supplier onboarding and continuous monitoring. This managed security services case study demonstrates how Northdoor’s expertise has helped The Salvation Army consolidate multiple security systems into one unified, continuously monitored platform, resulting in significant cost savings and enhanced protection.

Award-winning security partnership

The collaboration between The Salvation Army and Northdoor plc received prestigious industry recognition when it won the “Security Solution of the Year” at the 2020/21 IT Europa European IT & Software Excellence Awards.

This accolade celebrated Northdoor’s innovative third-party risk management solution, which transformed how The Salvation Army manages security risks across its extensive network. The implemented technology provides a comprehensive 360° view of potential vulnerabilities, enabling informed decisions about partners and closing critical security gaps.

“Ensuring our third-party supply chain is secure is of paramount importance,” noted Miguel Fiallos, CIO of The Salvation Army. “What used to take weeks or months to complete now takes hours. Northdoor has helped us streamline the process, saving valuable time and money that we can reinvest into helping people in need.”

This award underscores the tangible benefits of this strategic partnership and Northdoor’s commitment to delivering effective security solutions for nonprofit organisations.

Cyber security case study. The Salvation Army Winner IT Europa Winner Security Solution of the Year Northdoor winner of Security Solution of the Year award

Read more 

A model for nonprofit cyber security excellence

The Salvation Army’s experience stands out for its comprehensive approach to data protection and cybersecurity. Through its partnership with Northdoor, the organisation has implemented robust security measures that protect sensitive data, ensure regulatory compliance, and enable its mission-critical work to continue without disruption.

The results speak for themselves: enhanced donor information security, improved supply chain risk assessment, streamlined security processes, and reduced phishing susceptibility. This successful IT security partnership demonstrates how nonprofit organisations can achieve enterprise-grade security through expert guidance, tailored solutions, and a strategic approach to cybersecurity.

Ready to strengthen your organisation's cyber security posture?

Request a demo or contact sales on: 0207 448 8500

Find out more about our cyber security services

Our Awards & Accreditations

See all Awards