Digital Resilience for Family Offices: Cybersecurity Is a Strategic Imperative 

In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue—it’s a matter of trust, reputation, and continuity. For family offices, where discretion, legacy, and personal relationships are paramount, the stakes are especially high. Whether you're managing a single family's affairs or serving multiple families, cybersecurity must be woven into the fabric of your operations.

Why Cybersecurity Matters for Family Offices

Family offices are attractive targets for cybercriminals. They often manage significant assets, operate with lean teams, and rely on bespoke systems and personal communications. A breach can lead to financial loss, reputational damage, and even personal safety risks.

But cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and encryption. It’s about protecting relationships, preserving legacy, and ensuring continuity.

Extending Protection Beyond the Office

In a single family office, cybersecurity should extend beyond the staff to include family members—especially those who travel frequently, use personal devices, or engage in philanthropy and public-facing roles. Their digital habits can inadvertently expose the office to risk.

In a multi-family office, offering cybersecurity education and support to clients can be a differentiator. It demonstrates a commitment to holistic service and builds deeper trust. Consider offering:

• Secure onboarding for new families

• Digital hygiene workshops for family members and assistants

• Personal device audits and secure communication tools

The Human Firewall: Training and Education

Technology alone isn’t enough. The most sophisticated systems can be undone by a single click on a phishing email. That’s why user training is essential.

Here are tangible steps every family office should consider:

• Regular awareness sessions: Short, engaging updates on current threats and best practices

• Simulated phishing tests: Help staff and family members recognize suspicious messages

• Clear protocols: Everyone should know what to do if they suspect a breach

• Executive and family coaching: Tailored guidance for high-profile individuals who may be targeted

Real-World Example: The Value of Vigilance

A recent cybersecurity incident underscored the importance of layered protection and rapid response. A trusted boutique advisory firm suffered a mailbox compromise, which was then used to launch a targeted phishing attack. The email, crafted to resemble a legitimate data room invitation, was hosted via a well-known document platform and included a PDF with a deceptive download link—making it appear entirely credible.

Despite dual-layer phishing protection, the message bypassed filters due to its sophistication and trusted origin. However, broader security architecture proved effective. Suspicious sign-in attempts were flagged, access was blocked via multi-factor authentication, and alerts were triggered. Affected users were notified immediately, similar emails were purged, and the advisory firm was informed of the breach.

No accounts were compromised, but the incident highlighted the risks of password reuse and the value of proactive communication. A multi-layered approach ensured containment and reinforced the importance of vigilance—even when dealing with familiar counterparties.

A Call to Action

Cybersecurity in a family office is about more than protecting data—it’s about safeguarding trust, relationships, and legacy. Whether you're a principal, an executive, or a client, now is the time to:

• Review your digital habits

• Invest in user education and awareness

• Extend cybersecurity support to family members and clients

• Make cybersecurity a visible part of your value proposition

In a world where threats are evolving and trust is everything, cybersecurity is not just a cost—it’s a commitment.

How Hext Point™ Can Help

At Hext Point™, we understand that cybersecurity is not just a technical challenge—it’s a strategic imperative for family offices. Our approach combines practical education, tailored digital risk assessments, and ongoing advisory to help offices build resilience and trust.

Whether you're looking to strengthen internal protocols, educate family members, or offer cybersecurity support as part of your client services, we can help you design a solution that fits your needs and culture.

Book a free consultation to explore how Hext Point can support your cybersecurity strategy and help you turn digital protection into a competitive advantage.