Protect Your Business from Cyber Threats This Holiday Season

Stay Cyber-Safe This Holiday Season: Essential Cybersecurity Tips for Your Business

The holiday season is almost upon us, bringing with it a significant increase in online activity. As eager shoppers hop online to bag bargains on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, cyber-criminals also see this as a prime opportunity to target bargain hunters. With many using their work devices to access online marketplaces, your business systems face significant risks. Statistics highlight a stark reality: phishing attacks alone historically spike by up to 50% in December, making your vigilance crucial. This blog post offers some practical advice and tips on how to help protect your business, this holiday season. 

Beware of Holiday-Themed Phishing Scams

Phishing attacks often rise during the holidays, as cybercriminals use holiday-themed messages to lure employees into clicking on malicious links or downloading harmful attachments. Here’s how to spot these scams:

  • Be Cautious of Urgent Holiday Deals: Emails or messages with urgent holiday offers or last-minute discounts can be phishing attempts. Always verify the sender’s address and avoid clicking links or downloading attachments if you’re unsure.
  • Look Out for Fake Seasonal Greetings: Scammers may send “season’s greetings” or “holiday gift” emails that contain malicious links. Treat unexpected messages with caution, especially if they’re from unfamiliar sources.
  • Suspicious HR Communications: Around the holidays, employees may receive notifications about end-of-year benefits or Paid Time Off (PTO) requests. Cybercriminals often exploit this by sending fake HR emails to trick recipients into providing personal information or credentials. Instruct your staff to verify such communications directly with HR.

Tip: Regularly remind your team to report any suspicious emails or messages to IT or management before interacting with them.

Stay Safe While Shopping Online

Online shopping surges during the holidays, but it also creates more opportunities for scams and fraudulent websites. Protect your organisation by following these best practices:

  • Shop on Trusted Websites: Always purchase from well-known, reputable sites. Check the URL to ensure its secure (look for “https://” and a padlock symbol in the address bar).
  • Use Secure Payment Methods: Avoid wire transfers and use credit cards or trusted payment platforms that offer additional security measures.
  • Verify Deals and Discounts:If an online deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use fake discount sites to capture sensitive information. Stick to known retailers and official apps when possible.
  • Limit Company Card Use: If your business makes purchases during the holidays, limit the use of company credit cards to a few trusted employees and monitor transactions closely.

Essential Cybersecurity Measures to Implement This Holiday Season

Beyond recognising specific threats, there are a few foundational cybersecurity practices that will help keep your business safe throughout the holidays:

  • Update Systems Regularly: Ensure that all software, including operating systems, antivirus, and firewalls, is up-to-date with the latest security patches.
  • Strong Passwords and MFA: Promote the use of long, unique passwords across your organisation and implement multi-factor authentication to enhance security.
  • Limit Access to Sensitive Information: Only authorised personnel should have access to sensitive data. Regularly review permissions to ensure that only those who need it have access.
  • Provide Regular Cybersecurity Training: Run refresher training sessions that include holiday-specific phishing and fraud scenarios. Make sure employees know the importance of vigilance during this high-risk time.

Download Our Black Friday & Cyber Monday Cybersecurity Checklist

To help keep your business secure during high-traffic shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we’ve developed a Cybersecurity Checklist. This checklist covers crucial measures for protecting your organisation’s data and includes tips on:

  • System updates
  • Account security and access controls
  • Monitoring transactions and spotting irregularities
  • Ensuring website and network security

Create a Culture of Cyber Awareness

A cyber-aware workforce is your best defence against holiday cyber threats. By fostering a culture of caution and proactivity, you can significantly reduce the chances of falling victim to seasonal scams. Encourage your employees to take their time with emails and online offers, to verify any suspicious requests, and to stay vigilant when it comes to company information.

This holiday season, take proactive steps to keep both your data and your team safe. If you need advice or assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experts today at hello@it.ie.

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