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Preventing A Family Office Cyber Attack
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Family offices are facing more cyber threats than ever. With their increasing reliance on technology solutions to manage investments and operations, a piecemeal approach to systems rather than utilizing a comprehensive wealth management software can create problems.
Many remain unprepared, while targeted attacks are growing in scale and frequency. Phishing attempts, ransomware attacks, and social engineering tactics are common, with cyber criminals viewing family offices as easy targets. Their small teams, high net worth, and limited cybersecurity systems present a perfect opportunity.
“It sounds paranoid, but I think family offices are becoming the number one target for hackers and phishing scams. I was on a call recently with ten other very large single family offices and six of them had been hacked.”- CFO, midsize single family office, Canada Family Office Report
Key Takeaways
Tighten access controls – use MFA, password managers, and user roles.
Build a defense plan – define security, response, and recovery protocols.
Train everyone – run phishing tests and educate family members.
Use secure family office software like Masttro – get encryption, direct feeds, and audit trails.
Why Family Offices Are Vulnerable
Most family offices still rely on a mix of legacy applications and manual workflows. They often lack any form of dedicated cyber security controls or a written information security plan, and don't use password managers or vaults, while relying on unsecured email servers to share sensitive financial information. With this sort of setup, a disaster is not a question of “if,” but a question of “when.”
Key risks:
- Shared logins and outdated software
- Lack of Two-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication
- Minimal cybersecurity infrastructure
- Inadequate training and disaster recovery planning
- Reliance on unsecured channels like email or unvetted cloud tools
Hackers have become increasingly smart with how they target family offices. Phishing scams can start with a simple email or a fake text with a link that can expose bank details, legal docs, and personal information. Social media impersonation and hijacking adds another layer of risk. Sophisticated cyber attack groups now use data brokers to collect background details before they launch targeted phishing schemes that easily convince targets they’re liaising with a trusted custodian or service provider contact.
Common Attack Types
- Phishing attacks: emails or messages that trick staff or family members into giving access
- Ransomware threats: malware attacks that encrypt data and demand payment
- Data breaches: unauthorized access to portfolios, reporting tools, or internal drives
- Social engineering: pretending to be trusted contacts to get access or wire funds
- Cyber extortion: threats to release sensitive data unless a ransom is paid
Cyber espionage is a growing trend - attackers collect information over time, sometimes even building trust with several non-malicious communications before they strike when least expected.
Where Prevention Breaks Down
Family offices can be under-resourced and often means they:
- Skip cybersecurity policies and written controls
- Don’t conduct regular phishing exercises
- Delay software patches
- Lack a dedicated cyber response professional
- Have no cyber insurance program
Even basic tools like data backups or Two-Factor Authentication are missing in many setups. Without visibility into internal cyber threats, many attacks go unnoticed until irreversible damage is done.
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What Family Offices Can Do
A prevention strategy starts with the basics, then builds toward resilience. Here are 5 steps that any family office can take, regardless of how many resources they have available.
1. Strengthen Access Controls
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication on all systems
- Deploy a password manager and set up unique credentials
- Apply device-level controls for mobile access
2. Build a Plan (with cybersecurity professionals)
- Create an Incident Response Plan
- Map out a Disaster Recovery Plan and Business Continuity Plan
- Define cybersecurity policies in a Written Information Security Plan
3. Tighten Your Tools
- Update all portfolio management software regularly
- Run malware detection scans weekly
- Set alerts for phishing link activity
- Encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest
4. Train and Test
- Run phishing exercises with staff and family to educate on risk
- Limit social media access to official channels
- Monitor for impersonation or account takeover
- Brief family members on common cyber scam industry tactics
5. Partner Wisely
- Work with vendors who use direct data feeds rather than third-party intermediaries
- Choose platforms with data encryption, cyber safety controls, and audit logs
- Avoid services that monetize AUM or use screen scraping
Family Office Cyber Attack Prevention Checklist
How Masttro Enhances Your Cybersecurity
Masttro supports family office cyber attack prevention through an industry-leading cybersecurity infrastructure that ensures the safety and confidentiality of all financial information at all times.
The platform sets the most rigorous cybersecurity infrastructure standards through:
- Multi-factor authentication
- Military-grade encryption protocols
- Data encrypted at every layer, in rest and in transit
- Storage in dedicated Tier 4 data center in Switzerland
- Client-owned encryption keys to access data
- Private cloud architecture with dedicated servers
- No data stored on any device, ever
- Secure communication portal in place of unsecured emails
- Digital Document Vaults for storage of sensitive financial data
- Internal controls and permissioning, with role-based access and audit trails
- Comprehensive support for data recovery and backup routines
Unlike most providers, Masttro does not track client AUM nor use client financial data for pricing or other secondary uses. The platform ensures that users own their data, and includes secure controls for client communication, alternative asset tracking, and secure reporting, all in one intuitive system.
Final Thought
Cybersecurity risks are no longer theoretical, meaning family offices need to respond with clear controls, smart tools, and a defined process. A practical approach to cyber safety is not a feature, it’s a baseline.
Prevention is possible when the right systems are in place: as the industry leader in security infrastructure standards, Masttro helps family offices stay ahead of cyber threats by combining data protection, user-level control, and clear visibility.
Speak to us to find out how we can help your family office reduce cybersecurity risks.
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