What financial institutions must do now: The stealthy nature of infostealers means traditional security measures are often inadequate. These programs are designed to operate in silence, avoiding detection by not disrupting performance. As a result, cybersecurity in the estate management space must evolve, not reactively, but proactively.First, organizations must implement robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. These systems continuously monitor endpoint behavior, looking for suspicious activity such as unauthorized data exfiltration or unusual application behavior. EDR often serves as the frontline defense against infostealers.Next, security information and event management (SIEM) systems must be leveraged to detect anomalies. These tools analyze system logs and network activity to flag red flags, such as a user logging in from two countries within minutes, or an unexpected surge in data leaving the system. SIEM systems help connect the dots that might otherwise be missed.Threat intelligence also plays a key role. By regularly monitoring feeds that report on new malware strains and indicators of compromise (IOCs), organizations can spot patterns and respond to threats before they escalate.Beyond detection, the authentication model itself needs a serious upgrade. Too often, single sign-on (SSO) is treated as a convenience feature. In reality, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have for reducing credential exposure. When properly implemented, SSO ensures users only log in once with a secure, centrally managed identity. This significantly shrinks the number of times a password is entered, and, by extension, the number of times it could be stolen. SSO also enables centralized monitoring and control. If a threat is detected, access can be revoked instantly across all integrated systems. When paired with strong access policies, SSO becomes a force multiplier for cybersecurity.Equally important is the evolution of identity and access management (IAM) systems. Today, identity solutions must go beyond just verifying who someone is, they must continuously assess the context of that access. That means checking device health, location and behavior to determine whether access should be granted or flagged. Behavioral analytics powered by AI can detect subtle shifts in user activity that may signal a compromise. These systems can even respond automatically, prompting re-authentication or locking down access when something seems suspicious. Additionally, the principle of “just-in-time” and “just-enough” access should be the norm, granting the least privilege necessary, only when it’s needed.
What clients can do to protect themselves: The rise of infostealers isn’t just a problem for institutions. Clients must also take responsibility for their own digital security, especially when dealing with estate planning tools and platforms. The single most important step clients can take is enabling multifactor authentication (MFA) across all accounts. Even if a password is stolen, MFA often renders it useless. Authenticator apps and hardware tokens are far more secure than SMS-based codes, which remain vulnerable to SIM-swapping attacks.Clients should also be wary of using public or shared computers for sensitive activities. Hotel business centers, libraries and public kiosks are high-risk environments where infostealers may already be installed. Always use trusted, personal devices with updated antivirus protection. Awareness is essential. Seemingly minor symptoms (like a new browser toolbar, strange pop-ups or sluggish performance) should be reported immediately. These could be the only clues to a much deeper problem.
A call to vigilance: In a digital landscape where threats evolve faster than most defenses, estate services must lead the charge in adopting intelligent, aggressive and forward-thinking security practices. The stakes are simply too high. Our work touches on the most private corners of people’s lives, their wealth, their wishes, their legacy. If we aren’t doing everything in our power to protect that, then we’re not doing our job.From enforcing advanced authentication protocols and deploying modern identity solutions to educating clients and maintaining constant vigilance, our security posture must reflect the level of trust our clients place in us.Infostealers are already here. But with the right mindset, the right tools and an unwavering commitment to cybersecurity, we can ensure they stop at the gates, and go no further.This article is published as part of the Foundry Expert Contributor Network.Want to join?
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