DIGITAL SECURITY
RESOURCE
Knowing how to protect your digital profile, your data and the data of your sources is an essential part of good safety planning - for journalists and for editors, but knowing where to start can be daunting.
This is our pick of the top - very practical - courses and resources from ACOS signatories and partners for complete beginners and those who want to take their skills to the next level.
GUIDES & MANUALS
Digital Safety Kit
Committee to Protect Journalists
A regularly reviewed beginners guide which covers all of the digital security basics from protecting your account and profile, phishing, encryption and device security to secure internet use and border crossing safety.
Also available in: Español, Français, Русский, Português, العربية, Afsoomaali, አማርኛ, ဗမာစာ
Electronic Frontier Foundation
This very thorough, easy to navigate, resource shows users how to protect themselves from from online spying. It contains scenarios specific to journalists, activists and academics, amongst others. Popular guides cover attending protests, how to choose the right VPN and 'Your Security Plan'.
* Multiple languages
Digital Security Guides and Training
Freedom of the Press Foundation
Very practical journalist-focussed mini-guides on a range of digital security topics from safely redacting photos on the go to email hygiene and what to do if you phone is seized by authorities.
Online Harassment Field Manual
Pen America
Produced for those disproportionately impacted by online abuse: writers, journalists, artists, and activists who identify as women, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQIA+, this field manual offers concrete strategies for how journalists can defend themselves and others. Contains very useful tools and resources for navigating online abuse and tightening digital safety.
How To Dox Yourself on the Internet
The New York Times
A step-by-step guide from the NYT's Open team to finding and removing your personal information from the internet.
Security In a Box - Digital Security Tools & Tactics
Frontline Defenders / Tactical Tech
The Tactics Guides in this toolkit cover basic principles such as how to create strong pass phrases and avoid malware. The Tool Guides offer step-by-step instructions to help install, configure and use essential digital-security software and services. Jointly developed with a global network of activists, trainers and digital security experts.
*In multiple languages
PROTOCOLS
Protocol for Newsrooms to Support Journalists Targeted with Online Harassment
International Press Institute (IPI)
This PDF protocol outlines specific steps and measures that newsrooms can take to protect their journalists - including freelancers - from the professional and personal harm that online harassment can produce. It is intended as a useful starting point for newsroom managers to devise a system that works for their particular circumstances and which can be sustained in the long term.
ASSISTANCE, COURSES & TRAINING
Help Desk
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
A resource for journalists who want to inform and train themselves about digital security. Guides, recommendations and webinars.
Digital Security Helpline
Access Now
Works with individuals and organisations around the world to keep them safe online. If you’re at risk, they can help you improve your digital security practices to keep out of harm’s way. If you’re already under attack, they provide rapid-response emergency assistance.
*In mulitple languages
Free Press Unlimited
This online platform that helps journalists and activists use digital security and privacy tools and tactics more effectively in their work. Totem collaborate with a wide range of activists, digital security trainers and online education experts to develop a shared methodology and a process to help trainers create effective training curricula using the platform. Their platform contains a range of digital security courses.
Coalition Against Online Violence
International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF)
Funded by Craig Newmark Philanthropies, this coalition of organizations offers journalists collective support, bolstering their digital security and empowering the news media at large to keep their employees safer online.
ACOS is a member of the coalition.