We recently encountered a situation with a client whose close relative had passed away, leaving behind a locked iPhone. The family sought access to sentimental and potentially significant digital assets like photos and videos, stored behind a six-digit PIN, as well as messages and location history to identify activities just preceding the death. Older iPhones have more options for unlocking, but getting past the PIN can be a time consuming and costly endeavor, with no promise of results.

This underscores the need for strategies to safeguard digital assets against not only personal loss but also external threats such as ransomware attacks, data breaches, and natural disasters. Such events pose imminent risks to the integrity of sensitive client information and can disrupt operational continuity.

Our team, which includes experts with FBI experience, often addresses the repercussions of inadequate internal security. For instance, we have a case right now where disgruntled IT staff have compromised data integrity upon termination. The stakes are high, especially when handling confidential client data that demands rigorous protection.

To mitigate these risks, we advocate for a proactive approach to digital security:

  • Compliance Confidence: Ensure legal and ethical standards are maintained by implementing encrypted data solutions, network security measures, cloud backups, and disaster recovery plans.
  • Secure Data Hosting: Opt for advanced email and IT solutions to protect against data loss and unauthorized access.
  • Document Security: Like safeguarding physical assets such as life insurance policies and living trusts, maintaining secure records of passwords and digital access codes is essential.

Experience has shown that investing in these preventive measures not only fulfills legal obligations but also significantly reduces potential costs and liabilities associated with data recovery and breach remediation. It’s cheap insurance! By prioritizing digital security, you can safeguard 1) your business, maintaining the trust of your clients, and 2) your personal life.

Let us know if we can help; and if we can’t, we’re a guy who knows a guy!