Guide 3: Reviewing and Updating Your Digital Security Plan

Schedule Regular Reviews

Treat your digital security plan like you would an insurance policy or investment portfolio – review it at least once a year. Put a recurring reminder in your calendar. Many people choose to do this around significant dates: New Year's, their birthday, or tax season. The specific timing matters less than the consistency.

What to Review During Your Check-In

Start by reviewing your guardians. Are they still appropriate choices? People move, relationships change, and circumstances evolve. If a guardian has relocated far away, changed their relationship with technology, or if your relationship with them has shifted, it might be time for an update. The beauty of modern guardian systems is that you can swap guardians without awkward conversations. Simply replace them in the app.

Next, audit your assets. What crypto holdings have changed since your last review? Have you acquired new tokens, NFTs, or digital assets? Have you opened accounts on new exchanges? Each new asset or platform should be documented in your plan.

Test Your Recovery Process

Here's something most people never do but absolutely should: practice your recovery process. You don't need to fully recover your wallet, but walk through the steps. Check that your guardians still have access to their devices and the guardian app. Verify that you remember how to initiate a recovery request. This test run can reveal issues before they become critical problems.

Reassess Your Threshold Settings

When you first set up your guardian system, you chose how many confirmations you'd need (for example, 3 out of 5 guardians). As your comfort level and asset values change, these settings might need adjustment. If your holdings have grown significantly, you might want to add more guardians or increase the confirmation threshold for added security. Conversely, if you've simplified your life, you might reduce the complexity.

Update Beneficiary Information

Life events – marriages, divorces, births, deaths – all impact your inheritance plans. After any major life change, immediately review your beneficiary designations. Make sure the people you want to inherit your assets are still accurately identified in your plan.

Communicate Changes to Relevant Parties

If you've changed guardians, added beneficiaries, or made other significant updates, communicate these changes to the people affected. You don't need to share every detail, but key stakeholders should know if their role has changed. For example, if you've added a new guardian, let them know. If you've changed beneficiaries, consider informing them (especially if they're now responsible for more assets).

Review Your Education

As crypto technology advances, so should your knowledge. Dedicate some time during each review to learning about new security threats, inheritance best practices, or emerging technologies. The 30 minutes you spend reading about current best practices could save you from costly mistakes. A great place to start is the blog on the Vault12 website, which has consistently updated information on the crypto industry and security practices.

Your Review Leaves You in Control

Think of this regular review as preventive maintenance for your digital wealth. Just as you'd service your car or maintain your home, your digital security infrastructure needs attention. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your plan is current, your assets are protected, and your loved ones will be taken care of is worth the small time investment each year.