Publication
Cybersecurity threats, challenges, and strategies in humanitarian operations: A scoping review
In this article, Chiara Anfuso, Andrea Bartolucci, Cristina del Real, and Sanneke Kuipers examine cyber threats in humanitarian aid, exploring how digitalisation increases vulnerability and assessing the challenges organisations face in strengthening cybersecurity and response strategies.
- Author
- Chiara Anfuso, Andrea Bartolucci, Cristina del Real & Sanneke Kuipers
- Date
- 06 March 2026
- Links
- Read the full article here
This article examines the growing role of digital technologies in humanitarian aid and the accompanying rise in cyber risks. It shows that while digitalisation can improve the speed and efficiency of aid delivery, it also exposes humanitarian organisations to threats such as cyberattacks, surveillance, and mis- and disinformation. Incidents in recent conflicts, as well as major data breaches, demonstrate that such risks are no longer exceptional but an increasing feature of modern crises.
The review finds that many humanitarian organisations lack sufficient preparedness and effective response strategies to deal with cyber incidents. In particular, there is a significant gap in knowledge regarding crisis communication in the context of cyber threats. The article concludes that, despite growing awareness of the importance of cybersecurity, organisations face structural and contextual challenges that hinder implementation. Therefore, it emphasises the need for tailored cybersecurity approaches that address the specific conditions of the humanitarian sector and calls for further research in this area.