Digital Security Support Guidance
Criteria for supporting digital security projects
Last updated
Criteria for supporting digital security projects
Last updated
OTF supports efforts to increase the impact of the global digital security ecosystem (as well as regional ecosystems) under our Internet Freedom Fund. We also fund emergency digital security support under our Rapid Response Fund. Below we’ve outlined the criteria for each funding mechanism.
Criteria for supporting digital security projects under the Internet Freedom Fund:
Authoritarian censors are sharing strategies, techniques and—in some cases—the tools to enact repressive information controls. To effectively counter this highly orchestrated, well-resourced, and pervasive online censorship and surveillance, we need a strong digital security ecosystem that can grow and adapt to evolving threats.
To this aim, digital security support under our supports structural improvements to the digital security ecosystem. This includes infrastructure-wide investments to help practitioners do their work and best serve at-risk populations experiencing repressive information controls.
Ensuring that the community of practice (e.g., technical experts, incident responders, threat intel researchers, and developers of digital security tools) is able to grow and adapt to evolving global and/or regional threats is crucial.
We are interested in ideas that will support the growth and adaptability of this digital security network, including improving the coordination and collaboration between different actors in the space.
Applications in this category should include:
thoughtful consideration of existing and complementary efforts
a clear methodology
an explanation of how the proposed effort will lead to positive and systemic change in the regional and/or global digital security ecosystem
Please be mindful that OTF has a limited digital security budget and does not support one-off training, training of trainers, or organizational capacity building as an effort’s primary outcome. support these types of projects.
Criteria for supporting digital security projects under the Rapid Response Fund:
Our Rapid Response Fund helps resolve urgent threats in a timely manner for individuals, communities, and organizations facing digital attacks and emergencies.
If you are facing a clear and time-sensitive digital emergency and need short-term and urgent support, then you may be eligible for support under this fund.
We offer direct financial assistance, as well as technical services from our digital security partners. These services include, but are not limited to:
Organizational Security & Digital Security Support
Digital Attacks Response & Forensic Analysis
Secure Web Hosting
Responding to Censorship Events & Network Shutdowns
Rapid Localization of Digital Security Tools & Resources