Why would criminals target a small minerals office?▼
Because the money is large and the infrastructure is light. A few people handle acquisitions that close by wire and revenue from many operators, often through email and shared folders. An attacker in one mailbox can learn deal timing, contacts and amounts, then send convincing changes at the right moment. Size doesn't protect you here; it usually means fewer checks between a fake request and a real payment. A few habits and controls change that.
How should we verify closing wire instructions?▼
Treat any wiring instruction that arrives or changes by email as unverified. Call the title company or escrow agent using a phone number you already have on file, not one from the email. Confirm the account details verbally, and require a second person to approve the release. Be especially wary of changes right before closing. We help you document this routine and set up email tools that flag look-alike domains, but the habit of calling is what stops most fraud.
Someone sent an operator a fake payee change in our name. What now?▼
Contact the operator's owner relations team right away by phone to stop or reverse the change, then notify your bank. We'll check your mailboxes for signs of compromise, such as unknown forwarding rules or sign-ins, since some of these schemes start with a hijacked account. Your counsel should guide any reporting or recovery steps. Afterward, we help you set a standard way for operators to confirm future changes with you.
We have decades of scanned deeds on one server. Is that risky?▼
Yes, it's one of the most common gaps we see in land-heavy businesses. A single server or NAS can fail, get encrypted by ransomware or be wiped by mistake. We move those files into managed storage with version history and keep immutable backups off site that can't be altered for a set period. We also check that the folder structure and permissions make sense, so staff can find documents and contractors only see what they should.
Can you manage logins for dozens of operator portals?▼
We can bring order to them. Each operator controls its own portal, so we can't change how they work, but we can build a register of every portal, the account holder and its permissions, store credentials in a managed password vault with MFA, and move to individual accounts where the operator supports it. When someone leaves, the register becomes a checklist so no portal access is forgotten. It also shows which operators still rely on one shared login.
How is this different from IT for a family office?▼
Some mineral companies are family-owned, but the work is different. A family office protects people, homes and personal finances. A minerals company protects transactions and title: closing wires, county records, division orders and revenue from operators. The threats follow the money, so we focus on deal flow, the document archive and operator relationships, plus investor reporting if outside capital is involved. If you have both, we can support each side with appropriate separation.
Do you provide Mineral & Royalty Companies IT Services in Houston and nearby areas?▼
Yes. LayerLogix is based in the Greater Houston area and delivers mineral & royalty companies 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 Mineral & Royalty Companies 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.