Is a family office regulated like an RIA?▼
Usually not. A single-family office that meets the SEC's Family Office Rule under the Advisers Act is excluded from the definition of investment adviser, so it doesn't register or face SEC exams. Multi-family offices typically do register and carry the full adviser obligations. Your counsel confirms which applies. Being outside SEC oversight doesn't reduce risk; it just means no one sets a baseline for you. We help the office build a documented security program that protects the family on its own terms.
Do you really support the principal's personal devices and homes?▼
Yes, because that's where much of the risk sits. Attackers rarely bother with the office firewall when a principal's personal email, a child's laptop or a residence camera system is easier. We support family devices and accounts, residence networks and household staff access, with clear agreements about privacy and who on our team sees what. Changes inside alarm, AV or smart home systems are coordinated with your integrators, who own that equipment.
How do we stop fraud through impersonated texts from the principal?▼
Agree on a rule in advance, with the principal's blessing, that no payment request is honored based on a text, email or voice message alone, however urgent. Every request gets confirmed through a known number and, above a threshold, a second approver. Some families also use a private verification phrase. We build those controls into bill pay and banking workflows and train staff, so the controller never has to choose between obeying the principal and protecting the family.
Our family travels abroad often. What should we do before a trip?▼
We help prepare devices before travel: making sure they're encrypted, updated and backed up, confirming MFA works without a home phone number, and, for higher-risk destinations, issuing loaner devices with limited data. We review what's posted publicly about the trip and suggest delaying posts until after travel. If a device is lost or seized, we can lock or wipe it remotely and secure the accounts it was signed into. We support family offices in Texas and nationwide, with family members wherever they travel.
How do you handle household staff turnover?▼
We keep a record of what each staff member can access, from email delegation and calendars to Wi-Fi, alarm codes, camera apps and bill pay roles. When someone leaves, we work through that list the same day: removing account access, changing shared passwords and Wi-Fi credentials and coordinating alarm code changes with your security provider. New staff get access by role from the start, so the record stays accurate and departures don't leave doors open.
How is a family office different from a wealth management firm, IT-wise?▼
A wealth management firm serves many client households and is usually regulated as an adviser, so its priorities are client portals, verification of client requests and regulatory evidence. A single-family office serves one family and extends into areas a wealth firm never touches: residences, household staff, aircraft and boats, personal devices and privacy for every generation. We design a family office program around the family itself, not around a client base.
Do you provide Family Offices IT Services in Houston and nearby areas?▼
Yes. LayerLogix is based in the Greater Houston area and delivers family offices IT services to businesses across Houston and the surrounding communities, including The Woodlands, Spring, Katy, Sugar Land, Conroe, Cypress, and Pearland. For most Houston-area clients we can be on-site the same day when something needs hands-on attention, and our help desk is available during business hours, with after-hours emergency support. Call 713-571-2390 to check coverage for your specific address.
What does Family Offices IT Services cost for a Houston business?▼
Pricing depends on your size and what you need, so we do not publish a one-size-fits-all number — but Houston businesses generally pay a flat, predictable monthly fee rather than surprise hourly bills. We start with a free, no-obligation assessment of your current setup, then give you a clear quote in plain English with no hidden costs. That way you know exactly what you are getting and what it costs before you commit.