Guides and Tools

This library of "DemTools" consists of software, approaches, toolkits and guides that DemTech regards as trusted technology-related resources for the democracy community. It is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather a curated list of tools and resources known by DemTech experts to be valuable for enabling democratic actors to conduct their work in a safe, reliable, and cost effective way.

Before you get started, please read these important considerations for using digital tools

Rules by James from NounProject.com

Democratic Principles for the Information Space

The National Democratic Institute, in collaboration with members of the Design 4 Democracy Steering Committee, has developed this Statement of Principles in their shared commitment that technology platforms and products help build a more just and democratic world, and to bring together the…

Description Updated: Jun 22, 2022

Cybersecurity Handbook for Parliaments Cover

Cybersecurity Handbook for Parliaments

The Handbook is an open-source resource designed to help parliaments develop an understandable and implementable cybersecurity plan. It includes explanations of key security topics that parliaments and their staff should be aware of, essential strategies and recommended tools to limit risk, and…

Description Updated: Jun 17, 2022

Google Groups Logo

Google Groups

A service from Google that provides discussion groups for people sharing common interests through email distribution lists. Google Groups are not designed for secure communication.

Description Updated: Dec 15, 2021

Cybersecurity Handbook for Political Parties

Cybersecurity Handbook for Political Parties

The Handbook is an open-source resource designed to help political parties develop an understandable and implementable cybersecurity plan. It includes explanations of key security topics that parties and their staff should be aware of, essential strategies and recommended tools to limit risk,…

Description Updated: Nov 19, 2021

Cybersim Logo

Practical Cybersecurity for Organizations Online Course

NDI's Practical Cybersecurity for Organizations Online Course provides civil society organizations, political parties, and parliaments a unique online course opportunity to develop an understandable and implementable cybersecurity plan. The course, built off the material in NDI's…

Description Updated: Nov 19, 2021

Cybersecurity CSO handbook cover

Cybersecurity Handbook for Civil Society Organizations

The Handbook is an open-source resource designed to help civil society organizations develop an understandable and implementable cybersecurity plan. It includes explanations of key security topics that organizations and their staff should be aware of, essential strategies and recommended tools…

Description Updated: Nov 19, 2021

Authy logo

Authy

Authy is a free two-factor authentication application that works on both iPhone and Android. It allows users to generate time-based one-time passcodes, even without access to internet, that they can type into their login prompt to complete the two-factor authentication process.

Description Updated: Nov 18, 2021

Bitdefender logo

Bitdefender

An anti-malware software for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Bitdefender offers a free version that provides strong basic anti-virus capabilities for Windows, macOS, and Android devices. Paid versions of Bitdefender offer extra features and are also available for iPhones.

Description Updated: Nov 18, 2021

Tunnelbear logo

Tunnelbear Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Tunnelbear, a trusted VPN (virtual private network), helps users avoid internet censorship and surveillance. While a for-profit tool available to paying users, Tunnelbear provides free credits to democratic actors in countries where secure communication and internet freedom is under threat. They…

Description Updated: Nov 18, 2021

Google Authenticator logo

Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator is a free two-factor authentication application that works on both iPhone and Android. It allows users to generate time-based one-time passcodes, even without access to internet, that they can type into their login prompt to complete the two-factor authentication process.…

Description Updated: Nov 18, 2021

Malwarebytes logo

Malwarebytes

An anti-malware software for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android, and iOS that finds and removes malware with a free basic version and paid-for premium plans.

Description Updated: Nov 18, 2021

Duo mobile logo

Duo Mobile

Duo mobile is a two-factor authentication application that allows users to verify their identity by approving push notifications before accessing applications. Duo also allows users to generate time-based one-time passcodes that they can type into their login prompt to complete the two-factor…

Description Updated: Nov 18, 2021

Kee pass logo

Keepass

An encrypted desktop-based password manager that allows users to set up a vault on their device to secure their passwords and other sensitive information, protected by one primary password. KeyPass is open-source and free to use.

Description Updated: Nov 18, 2021

Microsoft Accountguard logo

Microsoft AccountGuard Program

A service that allows Outlook and Microsoft 365 users to adopt enhanced security settings on their accounts. Eligible global nonprofit organizations with sensitive information stored in their Microsoft accounts should strongly consider applying for AccountGuard, which can help them (at no…

Description Updated: Nov 18, 2021

Google Advanced protection logo

Google Advanced Protection Program

A service that allows Google users (people with Gmail/Google accounts) to adopt enhanced security setting on their accounts. Users with high visibility and sensitive information stored in their Google accounts should strongly consider enrolling in Advanced Protection. Enrollment is free for any…

Description Updated: Nov 17, 2021

Countering Disinformation Guide Logo

Countering Disinformation Guide

A guide to promoting information integrity. This living project provides an outline of what’s being done to address the challenge in key areas and provides a searchable database of the organizations around the world engaged in making the digital landscape safe for democracy.

Description Updated: Nov 16, 2021

mapbox logo

MapBox

Mapbox is a company that offers one most-used digital mapping tools in the world, making geo-referenced data more easy to understand across hundreds of thousands of websites and mobile phone applications. Mapbox is a significant contributor to open-source mapping libraries and applications…

Description Updated: Oct 28, 2021

Google Translate Logo

Google Translate

Google's free service instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between over 100 languages.

Description Updated: Oct 18, 2021

Meltwater logo

Meltwater

An online media monitoring tool that enables tracking of both social and traditional media platforms.

Description Updated: Sep 22, 2021

0archive logo

0archive

Tool for scraping content from websites/social media for analysis.

Description Updated: Sep 22, 2021