The holiday season is a time for cheer, connection, and celebration — but for cybercriminals, it’s peak hunting season. As your employees shop online, take time off, or rush to meet year-end goals, your business’s digital defenses can become vulnerable. A single phishing email or weak password could turn festive cheer into a costly nightmare.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Let’s dive into practical, easy-to-implement tips to help protect your data and prevent cyberattacks while is enjoying a well-earned break.
How to keep your business safe and merry this holiday season
Taking the following precautions now can save your business from costly security breaches later:
Watch out for holiday-themed phishing scams
Cybercriminals love to disguise phishing emails as shipping notifications, charity drives, or special discounts. Teach your staff to think twice before clicking links or downloading files from people they don't know. Encourage them to verify the source directly, especially when an email seems urgent or too good to be true.
Tip: Use spam filters and regularly update them to catch the latest phishing tactics before they even reach your employees’ inboxes.
Strengthen passwords and enable MFA
The holidays are hectic, which can prompt employees to take shortcuts with security. Now is the perfect time to remind them to set robust, unique passwords and enable multifactor authentication (MFA). MFA protects against credential theft by requiring users to verify their identity with multiple factors, not just a password.
Tip: Implement a password manager to enable your team to create and securely manage robust passwords.
Secure your remote workforce
Many employees work remotely during the holidays. Make sure they’re using encrypted Wi-Fi connections, company-approved virtual private networks, and updated antivirus software. Remote access without proper safeguards can open the door to attackers.
Tip: Remind your team to never connect to public Wi-Fi networks and access sensitive business data on unsecured networks.
Patch and update before the break
Before everyone signs off for the year, update all systems, applications, and devices. Cybercriminals frequently exploit unpatched software vulnerabilities, especially when IT staff are away.
Tip: Schedule updates and patches in advance to avoid delays or downtime during the holiday season.
Back up your data
A robust backup strategy safeguards your systems against ransomware attacks and unintentional data loss. Always keep your backups recent, encrypted, and stored in multiple secure locations, ideally off site or in the cloud.
Tip: Don't wait for a crisis to find out your backups are faulty — test them beforehand to ensure they're reliable.
Limit access and monitor activity
Give admin access only to those who absolutely need it. When fewer people have the keys to your most sensitive systems, it’s easier to monitor and control access during periods of low staffing.
Also, keep an eye out for strange login attempts or file activity, as these may signal potential breaches. Early detection is crucial, since it allows you to address vulnerabilities before they escalate into full-blown attacks.
Tip: Set up alerts for anything unusual happening in your system to spot security risks right away.
Create an incident response plan
No cybersecurity system is foolproof, so it’s important to have a solid incident response plan that outlines everyone’s responsibilities if a breach happens. With a clear, well-tested plan, you can help reduce panic and minimize the damage of a cyberattack.
Tip: Conduct regular cybersecurity drills to keep your team prepared and guarantee that they understand their roles in the event of an attack.
Educate your staff about cybersecurity
An informed team is your strongest shield against lapses that open doors to risk. When your team follows security best practices, your data stays secure, even during the busiest period for your business.
Tip: Hold brief cybersecurity refresher courses before the holidays begin to remind your employees of best practices.
Keep your holidays bright with NetQuest
Don’t let cyberthreats steal your holiday spirit. NetQuest’s managed IT and cybersecurity services protect your business year-round, so you can focus on closing out the year strong.
Stay protected this holiday season — partner with NetQuest and keep cyber grinches away for good. Sign up for a free consultation and learn how our expert team can keep your business safe this season and beyond.
