Securing the digital footprint of a prominent family office

The problem

Despite their sophisticated operations and professionalised family office, digital exposure had long remained a blind spot. Like many families, they underestimated the extent of publicly available information. Online habits,  such as social media usage, gaming, or routine web browsing, were unwittingly revealing personal routines, locations, and relationships.

Assuming their digital footprint was modest and manageable, they relied on basic privacy settings. And individual family members managed their own digital security. The family was operating without coordination or professional guidance. They had no way of assessing their collective digital exposure. Nor did they have a comprehensive strategy for reducing risk across all family members and devices.

As it turned out, the family had underestimated the amount of publicly available information. They did not realise how old data breaches, reused passwords, geotagged photos, and loose privacy settings were compounding their cybersecurity risk. And, they became increasingly aware that a family-wide solution was not only necessary but also urgent.

Selecting a solution

Firstly, the family needed a solution that would address cybersecurity needs for everyone, from their youngest to the eldest family member. It was important to have the ability to comprehensively assess the household’s digital footprint and identify areas of existing exposure.

Secondly, they also wanted customised education and training sessions that were age-appropriate. That meant the vendor had to provide different guidance, tailored to each person’s comfort level and role within the family. And beyond strategy, they were looking for focused, hands-on implementation that delivered practical remediation rather than theoretical advice.

Finally, continued support was essential. The vendor had to include access to response teams and ongoing guidance after initial setup. And of course, the chosen vendor would have to respect the discretion and unique privacy expectations of their family.

Why Crisis24

The family chose Crisis24’s Cyber Protect because of its comprehensive approach, which effectively addressed each of the family’s needs. Below is its implementation process:

Pre-implementation: Weeks before the retreat, Crisis24 sent concise questionnaires to capture each participant’s devices, operating systems, and comfort with technology. The team also conducted parallel open-source privacy assessments to map the household’s visible footprint.

Training sessions: Crisis24 delivered a full-day cybersecurity program at the family’s estate with 25 participants. Sessions took place around dining tables rather than in a formal classroom setting, encouraging candid questions and hands-on assistance.

Hands-on structured approach: The day opened with an all-hands session on digital footprints and privacy, then moved to smaller workshops organised by comfort level. Children received age-appropriate guidance, parents covered extortion red flags and monitoring, and older members practised identifying phishing attempts.

Technical implementation: Throughout the day, Crisis24 technicians adjusted settings, updated firmware, enabled multifactor authentication where missing, and ensured participants were comfortable with each change. By evening, every smartphone, laptop, and tablet had been hardened.

The impact

The solution has had a significant positive impact on the family. Every family member now understands what digital exposure means and recognises their individual role in maintaining overall security.

All devices have been configured to higher security standards, with proper authentication and settings in place. The family now has clear, practical guidance for managing devices and accounts while travelling. That includes practising safety protocols for hotel and airport networks.

In addition, their approach to vendor relationships has evolved as well; they now ask service providers informed questions about data collection, storage, retention, and breach notification.

Furthermore, family members feel confident in seeking help and asking questions about digital security. In fact, Crisis24 helped turn cybersecurity into an integral part of their everyday conversation and culture, rather than a source of concern.

Lessons for family offices

Based on this engagement, Crisis24 recommends that other family offices choose a provider who begins with a thorough assessment of the family’s digital exposure before suggesting any solutions.

The right partner should have the capability to evaluate risks across all generations, offering education and tools that are inclusive, age-appropriate, and easy to understand. A strong provider focuses on practical implementation and delivers hands-on technical assistance rather than just high-level recommendations.

They should create an environment where family members feel comfortable asking questions and learning without intimidation. Ongoing engagement is equally important; a trusted provider offers continued access to response teams and proactive guidance long after the initial rollout.

Last but not least, families ought to look for providers that understand the connection between digital and physical security. Integrating both digital and physical security into a unified strategy helps foster a lasting culture of cybersecurity awareness within the family. Attention to travel security should also be a priority, as time spent “on the move” often presents the greatest risk window.

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