Who we are
Sightline Security is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 by Dr. Kelley Misata. The organization helps nonprofits understand their cybersecurity posture, translate that understanding into practical roadmaps, and connect with the tools and resources needed to strengthen their security.
Sightline’s approach draws on established frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, adapted for how nonprofits actually operate. The organization is also a founding member of the NonprofitCyber coalition alongside the Center for Internet Security, OWASP, Global Cyber Alliance, Cyber Threat Alliance, and FIDO Alliance.
Why Sightline exists
Sightline was created to address a gap Dr. Misata experienced firsthand. As a survivor of cyberstalking, she reached out to nonprofits for help and found that many organizations lacked the cybersecurity resources needed to support people facing digital threats.
That experience led her to pursue a PhD in Information Security at Purdue University. Her research focused specifically on the cybersecurity preparedness of nonprofits working with victims of violence.
Sightline Security is the organization she wished had existed at the time.
The problem we’re solving
Nonprofits collectively manage some of the most sensitive data in existence. Many serve individuals facing crisis or vulnerability, including survivors of domestic violence, people experiencing mental health challenges, undocumented immigrants, and others who depend on the confidentiality of the organizations helping them.
Despite the sensitivity of this information, many nonprofits lack the resources and staff needed to manage cybersecurity effectively.
Most commercial cybersecurity solutions were built for enterprises with dedicated security teams, compliance officers, and procurement budgets. Most nonprofits operate very differently.
Many organizations rely on small teams, volunteers, or general IT support. Solutions designed for large enterprises rarely translate directly to that environment.
Sightline focuses on helping nonprofits understand where they stand and what steps will make the greatest difference.
How Sightline works
Sightline is not a vendor, a consulting firm, or a software product. It sits between nonprofits and the cybersecurity ecosystem, helping organizations navigate the resources, tools, and guidance available to them.
Assess
KickStart evaluates a nonprofit’s security posture using a framework informed by the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, adapted for how nonprofits actually operate rather than how enterprises do.
Translate
The assessment produces a plain-language, prioritized roadmap. Not a compliance document. Not a generic checklist. A practical plan the organization can act on immediately.
Connect
Sightline connects nonprofits with the tools, vendors, and resources that fit their situation. Because Sightline does not sell cybersecurity products, referrals are based on fit rather than commercial incentives.
Most nonprofits do not have the expertise to evaluate vendors, interpret frameworks like NIST, or determine where to start. Sightline handles that complexity and delivers a clear path forward.
Our Vision:
A world where all nonprofits are cyber resilient and equipped with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to manage cybersecurity risks.
Our Mission:
To evaluate the cybersecurity posture of nonprofits, translate findings into actionable roadmaps, and connect organizations with the resources they need to build a strong security foundation, without selling them anything.
Ready to understand where you stand?
KickStart is a six week program designed for organizations with limited technical resources and no clear starting point for cybersecurity. Participants receive a practical roadmap that helps them understand their current posture and identify the next steps for improving security.