Not "normal" families after all: Why business families are targeted by attackers and how they can protect themselves

Whether it's a shitstorm, cyberattack or kidnapping: business families are potential targets for a wide range of threats. But while companies have long had comprehensive security strategies in place, the family sphere often remains largely unprotected. The new WIFU practical guide "Security in business families", published by the WIFU Foundation in cooperation with H&K Krisenwerkstatt GmbH, shows how families can protect themselves effectively - without living in fear.

In the reference guide, authors Sabine Habersatter and Nico Krone from H&K Krisenwerkstatt GmbH and Prof Dr Tom A. Rüsen from the WIFU Foundation shed light on the often underestimated vulnerability of business families. Whether reputation attacks in social media, targeted burglaries or even kidnappings: "Many families underestimate the real threat situation because they perceive themselves as 'normal'," says Habersatter. However, wealth, media presence and social engagement often lead to involuntary visibility - with tangible risks.

The practical guide offers a clearly structured introduction to the topic of security. In addition to technical, organisational and personnel measures, it also takes into account subjective security needs within the family. There is a particular focus on strengthening self-efficacy: small changes in behaviour, media skills and a trained eye for risks can already have a big impact.

"Safety is not a state, but a process - and it starts in the family," emphasises Krone. Rüsen adds: "Security is not just a question of technology or contingency plans - it starts in the mind. Different generations, life realities and risk perceptions come together, especially in business families. An open dialogue is needed to involve all family members."

Using numerous practical examples - such as a robbery of a business couple - the reference guide illustrates how risky a deceptive sense of security can be and how important it is to strategically deal with possible threats.

The publication is aimed at business families, associates and their advisors. Together with other WIFU Foundation publications, it is available online free of charge at: www.wifu.de/bibliothek. For further information, please contact Dr Ruth Orenstrat at ruth.orenstrat@wifu-stiftung.de or +49 2302 8898303.

About the WIFU Foundation:

Founded in 2009, the non-profit WIFU Foundation's mission is to promote research and teaching in the field of family entrepreneurship as well as the practical transfer of its findings. Its most important sponsors include around 80 family businesses from German-speaking countries. All of the WIFU Foundation's activities centre on acquiring, communicating and disseminating high-quality knowledge about family businesses and business families that is geared towards current issues.

The funding is primarily used to establish and maintain professorships, support research projects and award scholarships to junior researchers. One focus of the WIFU Foundation's research funding is on the Witten Institute for Family Businesses (WIFU) at Witten/Herdecke University with its three research and teaching areas of Management, Law and Psychology/Sociology. WIFU has been making a significant contribution to the trans-generational sustainability of family businesses in research and teaching for over 25 years.

Another focus of the WIFU Foundation's work is the organisation of congresses and other events on topics related to family entrepreneurship. In working groups, training courses and other formats, practice-orientated knowledge and skills are also imparted to promote family succession in the management of family businesses. The WIFU Foundation's events are characterised by a protected environment in which a trusting, open exchange is possible. Comprehensive and active public relations work for research results in the field of family entrepreneurship rounds off the WIFU Foundation's range of tasks.