Cyber incidents against family offices climbed sharply over the past two years, with nearly half of organisations worldwide reporting at least one breach. Attackers know that single-family offices often hold sizeable liquid balances yet maintain lean IT staff.

High-net-worth targets now face AI-powered phishing that mimics trusted advisers’ voices, while deep-fake video requests for fund transfers test even seasoned executives. A comprehensive response plan – drafted, tested, and stored offline – reduces reaction time when minutes matter.

Key defences include multi-factor authentication across banking portals; network segmentation to isolate critical data; and continuous dark-web scanning for leaked credentials. Cyber-insurance, once optional, has become a strategic purchase, but underwriters increasingly mandate proof of board-level oversight before binding cover.

Embedding quarterly cyber-risk reviews into governance meetings signals a culture of vigilance. For families accustomed to discreet privacy, proactive transparency around threat mitigations is now central to protecting reputations and assets.