Information is currency in today’s modern landscape — and most of us have more information than we can handle. That’s why it’s more important than ever to step up your family security.

In this checklist, we’ll walk you through several easy steps you can take to modernize your family’s information and make sure it stays secure.

1. Digitize important records

If you only have records like birth certificates and Social Security cards in paper form, it's time to back them up digitally. Doing so can prevent you from losing vital information in case of events like flooding or fires.

Information on paper you should backup includes:

IDs

• Social Security card

• Drivers license

• Passport

• Birth certificate

• Marriage license

• Vaccine card

Property

• Mortgage

• Home deed

• Property taxes

Insurance

• Health insurance cards

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• Life insurance

• Auto insurance

• Home insurance

• Umbrella insurance

Taxes

• Yearly tax returns

Estate documents

• Family trust

• Will and testament

• Power of attorney

• Medical directives

Emergency planning

• Babysitter instructions

• Emergency equipment information

Family archives

• Baby photos

• Family tree

• Wedding album

2. Use advanced security tools

Once you've digitized important records, the next step to increase your security is making sure that information is stored in a safe place. Features like AES 256 bit encryption use complex algorithms to scramble data, which keeps bad actors from accessing it easily. This is a tactic used by the US government and banks.

Find a trustworthy information management system that offers features like:

• Identity verification

• Complex password requirements

• Two-factor authentication

• Hardware keys

• Biometric authentication

• Encryption

3. Get smart with passwords

It's easier than ever to accumulate over 100 passwords these days if you're following professional advice to use different passwords for every account. Find a family password manager that memorizes those long, complex passwords for you to keep your information safe.

• Sign up for a family password manager

• Generate new passwords for each account

• Use a complex mix of numbers, symbols, and lowercase and uppercase letters

• Create passwords over 15 characters long

4. Share in a secure way

Part of the reason to digitize your family information is also to share that information when other family members need it — such as medical policy cards.

Find a platform that allows you to:

• Customize access permissions by information/information type

• Share on mobile or desktop

• Collaborate with trusted advisors

5. Keep an eye out for phishing

Many online security breaches are due to phishing, which tricks you into giving out sensitive information. Most of this can be avoided through common-sense measures.

• Don't give away your passwords or Social Security number to anyone on the phone or through email

• Don't click on suspicious links in email

• Check email messages of origin to see if the website is legitimate

• Only sign in to banking portals through the secure app or website

Want to learn more? Mistakenly Email Sensitive Info? Here’s What to Do Next

Trustworthy can help

Trustworthy offers the Family Operating System®, which makes it easy to digitize, organize, and protect your family information. Try a free 14-day trial today to step up your family information security.