Editor’s note: With the number of current and upcoming industry conferences/ travels, here is a checklist — based on a guide from our head of security (and former Secret Service agent) to keeping yourself and your employees safe. You can download a PDF version of this checklist to share in forums/ boards, team emails, messaging groups, and more here. [You can also subscribe for industry news, reports, feature articles, and more at a16zcrypto.substack.com.]
Step 1: Start with the right mindset
- Always establish what “normal” looks like and mentally tag any behaviors that aren’t.
- Distance is safety. Choose distance over confrontation: if someone’s acting off, move away or change your setting.
- Trust your instincts when something doesn’t feel right.
- Spend a little time thinking through “what would I do if…” scenarios.
- Build small safety habits now so you’re not scrambling later.
Step 2: Stay present in public spaces
- Keep yourself in a relaxed but aware state — not jumpy, just paying attention.
- When walking or traveling, keep your eyes up and one ear free; avoid getting completely absorbed in your phone.
- Vary your daily routines (how you get to work, when you go to the gym, where you get coffee and lunch, and so on).
- Don’t discuss sensitive plans loudly in shared spaces or rideshares.
Step 3: Going out (day or night)
- Walk with purpose and avoid looking lost or uncertain.
- If you’re going out drinking or late at night, avoid walking home alone — share your plan and location with someone you trust.
- Carry a flashlight or pepper spray, and have it already in hand when you’re walking alone after dark.
- Never discuss crypto holdings in public or with strangers.
- Pick a meetup point with friends or colleagues in case you get separated.
- Avoid posting your real-time location.
Step 4: Make travel & hotels safer
- Travel “gray” and blend into the environment. Don’t appear valuable or vulnerable.
- Don’t post travel plans in advance and don’t post your current location.
- Make it a routine: every time you check into a hotel, walk the exit route and stairwells.
- Keep shoes and a few essentials somewhere you can grab them fast (“go bag” style).
- Pay attention to anything in the room that feels off — trust that feeling.
- Use the hotel safe, and put something you’ll need in the morning (like one shoe) so you don’t forget your valuables.
Step 5: If you’re in a higher risk role
- If you’re in crypto, set up a decoy wallet with some activity to serve as a backup in coercion scenarios.
- Avoid wearing company branded apparel in public.
- Reduce your online footprint: consider a data removal service and opt out of public property databases.
- Improve your home security with cameras or motion lights, especially near entry points.
- Avoid keeping all assets or identities tied to one account or device. Spread them out.
- Practice noticing exits and cover in public spaces so it becomes second nature.
- Use a PO box or office address instead of home address; and if possible, use an LLC to buy property not your personal name.
Step 6: Keep the habits alive
- Maintain a low public profile.
- Don’t share family images publicly.
- Do regular home-security checks: sensors, cameras, locks, lights.
- Once a month, run a quick mental “what if” drill to stay sharp.
- Review and refresh your digital security setup regularly — including your decoy wallet.
***
The views expressed here are those of the individual AH Capital Management, L.L.C. (“a16z”) personnel quoted and are not the views of a16z or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources, including from portfolio companies of funds managed by a16z. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, a16z has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the current or enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. In addition, this content may include third-party advertisements; a16z has not reviewed such advertisements and does not endorse any advertising content contained therein.
You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investors or prospective investors, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by a16z. (An offering to invest in an a16z fund will be made only by the private placement memorandum, subscription agreement, and other relevant documentation of any such fund and should be read in their entirety.) Any investments or portfolio companies mentioned, referred to, or described are not representative of all investments in vehicles managed by a16z, and there can be no assurance that the investments will be profitable or that other investments made in the future will have similar characteristics or results. A list of investments made by funds managed by Andreessen Horowitz (excluding investments for which the issuer has not provided permission for a16z to disclose publicly as well as unannounced investments in publicly traded digital assets) is available at https://a16z.com/investment-list/.
The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Please see https://a16z.com/disclosures/ for additional important information.