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As the holiday season approaches, businesses are not just handling higher volumes of transactions—they’re also facing heightened cybersecurity threats. Cybercriminals take advantage of this busy period, knowing that companies may have reduced staff, increased online activities, and greater workloads. With retail and service industries experiencing a surge in transactions and more remote work becoming the norm, this time of year has become a peak season for cyberattacks.
Here’s what your business needs to know about holiday cybersecurity threats and essential steps to safeguard your data, employees, and customers.
Why the Holidays Increase Cyber Risks
During the holidays, companies often experience:
- Increased online transactions: Retailers, especially, see a dramatic rise in e-commerce sales, which attract fraudsters looking to exploit online payment systems.
- Reduced staff and monitoring: Employees may be on vacation or stretched thin, leaving security to slip through the cracks.
- Phishing attempts disguised as holiday promotions: Phishing emails can be masked as holiday deals, package tracking notifications, or end-of-year invoices.
Common Holiday Cybersecurity Threats
- Phishing Attacks
Phishing scams spike during the holidays, with cybercriminals sending emails, texts, or social media messages posing as legitimate organizations. Common tactics include offers for fake holiday discounts, delivery notifications, and end-of-year business deals. Remind your employees to stay vigilant, scrutinizing emails and verifying the source before clicking links or downloading attachments.
- Ransomware
Ransomware attacks involve locking down your systems and demanding a ransom for access. These attacks often escalate during the holidays when businesses are in peak operations. A robust data backup system and proper response planning are essential for minimizing the impact of such attacks.
- Malware and Trojan Horses
Malware can enter your system through unsecured websites, fraudulent ads, and attachments. During the holidays, these tactics may take the form of fake promotions, offers, or gift deals, so ensuring strong endpoint protection and regular employee training is crucial.
- Business Email Compromise (BEC)
BEC attacks involve cybercriminals impersonating trusted employees, vendors, or executives. They may send urgent requests for fund transfers or sensitive data, exploiting the busy season to avoid thorough scrutiny.
Key Steps for Holiday Cybersecurity Preparation
- Boost Employee Awareness and Training
Educate your team about the specific cybersecurity risks during the holiday season. Employees are your first line of defense, so it’s essential they recognize phishing attempts and know how to avoid risky behavior, especially while handling sensitive data or financial information.
- Strengthen Access Controls
Ensure that only authorized personnel have access to critical systems and sensitive information. Consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and review who has privileged access to your network. Over the holidays, especially, strict access controls can significantly reduce the chance of unauthorized access.
- Regularly Update and Patch Software
Outdated software is a frequent target for cybercriminals. Make sure all systems, applications, and security software are updated with the latest patches and upgrades. Implementing automated updates and regular system checks can help keep potential vulnerabilities at bay.
- Monitor Network Activity
Set up 24/7 monitoring of your systems to detect unusual activity. Many managed service providers (MSPs) offer round-the-clock monitoring and response to ensure that any suspicious actions are identified and addressed immediately. Increased network surveillance can help catch threats before they escalate into major incidents.
- Back Up Your Data
A reliable, regularly tested backup system is essential for business continuity. In the event of a ransomware attack, having secure backups enables your business to quickly restore essential data and systems, minimizing downtime and financial losses.
- Run a Holiday Cybersecurity Audit
A comprehensive audit allows you to review your security measures and identify any potential vulnerabilities before the holiday rush. This proactive approach can help you patch up weak points, strengthen existing protections, and build a customized response plan for peak season.
Ready to Protect Your Business?
Safeguarding your company’s data and systems during the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require vigilance and a proactive approach. This season, make cybersecurity a priority so you can enjoy peace of mind and focus on the things that matter most—your business and your customers.
Contact Computek for a Comprehensive Cybersecurity Audit!
As part of our commitment to helping businesses thrive, Computek is offering a free cybersecurity audit to identify vulnerabilities and fortify your defenses. With an in-depth assessment, we can help safeguard your operations during this busy holiday season and beyond.
Schedule your assessment today here or by phone at 512-869-1155 to ensure you’re holiday-ready!
That’s all for this week. We’ll see you next time for Tech Tip Tuesday!
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