Create Digital Emergency Plan

Why

A Digital Emergency Plan ensures that your digital life can be managed in case you’re hacked, incapacitated or deceased. Without proper preparation, even well-meaning family members can’t protect your digital assets or prevent ongoing fraud. This plan provides a secure way for trusted individuals to access crucial accounts and digital assets, protecting your online identity and ensuring your digital legacy is handled according to your wishes.

Action

• Choose 2-3 trusted emergency contacts:

  • Select family members or close friends who can act on your behalf
  • Give each person clear instructions about their role in various scenarios
  • Update emergency contacts in your phone (ICE - In Case of Emergency)

• Create and securely store an emergency document:

  • Use a password-protected file format (e.g., encrypted PDF)
  • Consider using a secure digital vault service (e.g., LastPass, 1Password)
  • Store a digital copy in an encrypted cloud service
  • Keep a physical copy in a secure location (e.g., safe deposit box)

• Include the following information in the document:

  • List of important accounts:
    • Email, financial, social media, cloud storage
    • Include usernames (but not passwords)
    • List financial institutions and account types (not numbers)
  • Password manager information:
    • Name of the service
    • Master password hint (not the password itself)
    • Instructions for accessing emergency access features
  • Two-factor authentication recovery codes
  • Contact information:
    • Your primary email addresses and phone numbers
    • Attorney and financial advisor details if applicable
  • Digital asset inventory:
    • Cryptocurrencies, digital purchases, domain names
  • Instructions for accessing hardware:
    • Computer, phone, external hard drives
  • Backup locations and access methods
  • Location of important documents (will, insurance policies)

• Set up emergency access:

  • Enable emergency access features in your password manager
  • Inform trusted contacts about the existence and location of your plan
  • Don’t share passwords directly - use sealed envelopes or password manager features

• Regular updates:

  • Set a reminder to review and update the plan every 6-12 months
  • Update after any major life changes, new accounts, or relationship changes

Additional Considerations

• Beneficiaries and estate planning: Update beneficiaries on all financial accounts and insurance policies. Consider creating a comprehensive digital estate plan that goes beyond emergency access.

• Digital Will: Create a comprehensive digital will that designates a digital executor and provides instructions for each account (close, memorialize, transfer). Include wishes for social media accounts and specify how to handle digital assets.

• Legal planning: Research your local laws regarding digital assets and estate planning. Consider consulting with a lawyer to ensure your plan is legally sound and explore using a legal service for digital estate planning.

• Advanced security: Consider using a “dead man’s switch” service that automatically shares access information if you don’t check in regularly.

Remember

Balance security with accessibility. The plan should be secure enough to prevent unauthorized access, but accessible to trusted individuals in case of an emergency.