The holiday season is a time for celebration, but for businesses, it also brings heightened risks. Whether you're gearing up for peak sales or winding down for a quieter period, criminals are always on the lookout to exploit vulnerabilities. Modern attackers will use any means necessary to target your organisation often choosing the path of least resistance. At the same time, weather-related disruptions like storms, snow, ice, or burst pipes can introduce unexpected challenges. To safeguard your business, it's crucial to implement the right measures to protect your digital and physical spaces, as well as your people. Taking proactive steps now can prevent costly disruptions and ensure a secure, stress-free holiday season.
The best defence is a well-prepared plan:
Key Contacts - Ensure key personnel are reachable, even during the holidays. Maintain a list of key IT staff, decision makers, and third-party vendors who would need to be contacted in case of an incident. As part of this review your keyholders and who has access to your buildings and facilities.
Supplier Support - Confirm your suppliers are on standby to assist with critical needs like alarm responses, data recovery, IT outages, property damage or infrastructure repair.
Insurance Ready - Know exactly who to contact from your insurance provider in the event of a harmful event. Confirm that your insurance coverage is up to date and covers holiday season risks.
Cyber threats spike during the festive season, as threat actors exploit the festive opportunities and human nature. Here’s how to stay safe:
Turn it off - If you're closing for the holidays, disconnect unused devices such as laptops, routers, and printers. This eliminates risks when not in use and helps save on energy costs.
Email scams and phishing - With the holiday chaos phishing scams become more common. Be cautious of emails offering “too good to be true” deals or creating a sense of urgency. If in doubt, verify the sender before clicking on links or downloading attachments.
New Technology – Christmas often bring new gadgets, but they can be a security risk if not set up properly. Before using any new devices, whether for work or personal use, ensure they are updated with the latest software patches and antivirus protection as a minimum.
Whether it’s your business premises or home, vacant properties are prime targets for theft and break-ins during the holidays:
Secure Alarms and Cameras – Service and test your security systems ahead of time, including alarms and CCTV cameras, to ensure they’re functioning correctly. Grime and poor weather can obscure CCTV, so ensure your cameras are cleaned and operational before you down tools and begin the festivities.
Lighting and Checks - Ensure well-lit surroundings in and around your business premises. Adequate lighting not only improves visibility but also acts as a deterrent against criminal activities, especially during the darker winter evenings.
The pressures of the holiday season, including financial strain, personal stress, and family pressures, can significantly increase the risk of insider threats especially in teams that are operating skeleton staffing regimes:
Mitigation - Implement strict access controls to sensitive data and systems. Regularly monitor user activity and set clear protocols for reporting suspicious behaviour. Consider locking out accounts that don’t need to access systems over the festive period, for added security.
Employee Education and Support - Providing support for your employees during the holiday season can go a long way in reducing the risk of insider threats. Make sure that staff are aware of the importance of maintaining security practices, even when under personal stress or lone working.
A resilient business is one that is prepared for any disruption:
Disaster Recovery Plan - Ensure it’s up to date and includes supplier contact information for immediate support. Ensure you have insurance details to hand.
Clear Shutdown Procedures - Communicate to staff which devices and systems should be powered down before the break.
Employee Awareness - Provide training or reminders about phishing scams, safe remote work practices, and recognising potential threats.
Monitor and Respond - Keep a "superhero team" on standby. Experts who can jump in if a breach occurs. Whether internal staff or external support, ensure someone is ready to act.
By taking these proactive steps, you can protect your business and ensure you start the New Year on the right foot.