Update Digital Emergency Plan

Why

Regularly reviewing and updating your digital emergency and identity theft response plans is crucial for maintaining your online security and privacy. These plans serve as your roadmap for quick action in case of a digital crisis or identity theft, potentially minimizing damage and stress during critical situations.

Action

• Locate your existing digital emergency plan (which should detail how trusted individuals can manage your digital life if you’re incapacitated or deceased, and your identity theft response plan). If you don’t have one, prioritize creating it (refer to “Create Digital Emergency Plan” in Getting Started).
• Review contact information for relevant parties listed in your plan (e.g., banks, credit bureaus, insurance, legal contacts, personal emergency contacts/digital executor).
• Update the inventory of your important digital assets and accounts:
  • List all digital assets including domain names, cryptocurrency holdings, valuable software licenses, online business assets, or sentimental digital creations.
  • For each asset, verify: where it’s held, access credentials (or secure references to them), approximate value if applicable, and specific instructions for its disposition.
  • Add any new significant assets acquired over the past year.
  • Remove or update information for assets you no longer own or that have changed.
• Revise steps for immediate action in case of various scenarios like a major account breach, device loss, or identity theft.
• Include any new significant digital accounts or services acquired since the last update.
• Review your digital executor and instructions:
  • Confirm that the person designated as your digital executor is still appropriate and willing to serve.
  • Review your instructions for how each digital asset should be handled (e.g., transferred to a beneficiary, sold, closed down, memorialized).
  • Ensure they know where to find the plan and how to access it (without revealing master passwords directly in the plan if possible; use hints or refer to password manager emergency access).
• Consider if any passwords or security questions mentioned (even as hints) in the plan need updating in the actual accounts.
• Legal considerations: Briefly review if any changes in your life (marriage, divorce, etc.) or in local laws might impact your digital estate planning. Consult a legal professional if you have significant concerns or complex assets.

Remember

Store your updated plans in a very secure, yet accessible-in-emergency, location (e.g., encrypted file with shared access instructions, physical copy in a safe). This plan is distinct from, but related to, your account-specific recovery settings and digital legacy contacts. Clearly documenting your digital assets and your wishes for them can save your loved ones considerable stress and confusion.