Luxury, Lifestyle and the Risk of Exposure: Why Personal Security Is No Longer Optional

When Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana’s wife was recently robbed of a £62,000 Birkin bag and a Rolex in their Cheshire home, it made headlines for obvious reasons—the items, the location, the profile. But the incident also raised a deeper issue. This wasn’t just a burglary; it was a stark reminder of how off-field threats can affect on-field performance.

Just days later, Onana made two costly mistakes in a Europa League match against Lyon. The result: a 2–2 draw. While no one can say definitively that the break-in was to blame, the timing draws a line worth examining. It doesn’t take much for even the most focused professionals to be thrown off balance. When your family doesn’t feel safe, it’s difficult to concentrate on your career—no matter how elite your level.

A New Kind of Risk

Today’s athletes, entertainers, and influencers aren't just exposed when they compete or perform. They often live much of their lives publicly through social media. For some, sharing their lifestyle online is part of the job—whether that’s showcasing new partnerships, homes, cars, or luxury items. And while this visibility can be valuable, it also makes individuals and their families more vulnerable.

Criminal groups have adapted to this reality. They don’t just act on opportunity; they plan. They watch Instagram Stories, track routines, and build profiles based on what people post. Robberies can happen while someone’s away on holiday—or while they’re home, asleep upstairs or brazenly face to face.

And it’s not just about what’s stolen. It’s the emotional aftermath. The sense of violation. The disruption to daily life. For those in high-performance environments, that mental toll can be just as damaging as the physical intrusion.

When Home Doesn’t Feel Safe

The psychology is simple. To perform at your best, your mind needs to be clear. You need to trust that your loved ones are safe, your environment secure, and your private life genuinely private.

When that’s taken away—even temporarily—it affects everything. Sleep. Focus. Confidence. For professional athletes, where split-second decisions matter, the effects can be immediate and visible. For others, it might be more subtle: heightened anxiety, reluctance to leave home, second-guessing every movement or post.

These impacts aren’t always spoken about, but they’re very real.

Living Without Compromise As A HNWI

The answer isn’t to retreat or stop sharing with the world. It’s about managing exposure intelligently—being aware of the risks and protecting against them in a way that supports your lifestyle rather than restricts it.

Here are some practical steps to consider:

• Delay location sharing. Avoid tagging your location in real-time. Post after events or once you’ve returned home.

• Think twice before showcasing high-value items. Even a quick glimpse of a watch or handbag can draw attention.

• Be mindful of routines. Regular posts from the same places can build a pattern others may exploit.

• Check your digital footprint. Consider what someone could learn about your schedule or home from your social media presence.

• Talk about security. Having a plan in place—physical, digital, and emotional—is essential for peace of mind.

  
  

Security today isn’t about living in fear. It’s about protecting what matters most without changing who you are.

How Security Expertise Changes the Equation

This is where experience matters. At VIS Protection, we work with high-net-worth individuals whose lives demand both visibility and privacy. Our role isn’t just to respond to threats—it’s to anticipate them. From assessing the security of a property to understanding digital exposure, we take a holistic view of risk.

Every client is different. Some need discreet residential protection while travelling; others require ongoing monitoring of their online presence to identify potential vulnerabilities. Many benefit from intelligence-led threat assessments, tailored to their lifestyle, public profile, and routines.

What all of them have in common is the need for peace of mind. Knowing that their family is safe, their movements secure, and their privacy protected allows them to focus fully on what they do best—whether that’s competing, creating, or leading.

Tailored Protection for Different Lifestyles

Security risks vary depending on lifestyle, profession, and visibility. That’s why a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. Here’s how we tailor our services to suit different types of high-profile individuals:

Professional Athletes

Performance depends on focus. Disruption at home—whether it’s a security concern or a breach of privacy—can affect physical and mental sharpness. We work closely with athletes to secure residences, protect family members during travel, and assess any online exposure that might draw unwanted attention. All of it is handled discreetly, without interrupting routines or training.

Digital Influencers and Content Creators

For those whose presence is digital-first, the challenge is maintaining visibility without overexposing their lives. We help creators audit their social media output, reduce digital footprints, and ensure their content doesn’t unintentionally give away private information. Our approach balances personal branding with personal safety.

Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs

Executives often face targeted threats due to their financial or professional status. We offer secure travel planning, workplace protection strategies, and support for family members—particularly when principals are travelling. Where required, we coordinate with personal assistants, estate managers, or existing security staff to ensure a seamless solution.

Luxury Property Owners

High-value homes are often symbolic targets. We conduct full property risk assessments and implement layered security solutions that blend into the environment. Whether it’s a city penthouse or a countryside estate, our focus is on quiet efficiency—protection for your home without intrusion.

High-Profile Families

When one person is in the spotlight, everyone around them can become a target. We help families feel secure at home, during school runs, on holidays, and through life’s transitions. We also advise on safe online habits for children and household staff to prevent accidental exposure of sensitive information.

A Final Thought

The story of André Onana is a reminder that visibility comes with responsibility. Not just to protect possessions, but to safeguard mental clarity, personal relationships, and professional performance.

These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re part of a pattern—one that’s evolving alongside the lifestyles we choose to lead. The question isn’t whether you need protection. It’s how you choose to integrate it into your life without losing what makes it yours.