The holiday season is coming soon; a period of happiness and celebrations. However, just like many happy people, criminals are also waiting for this great time of year. Cybercriminals, in fact, are even more active in the holidays, capitalizing on all the points of distraction that come with the season. The time of year of the holiday season is inclined to have a higher rate of successful attacks against both businesses and customers. Recent data shows that in the previous year alone, there was a 550% rise in new methodologies by the threat actors toward the end of 2024.

In the same way, when the 2023 holiday season began, an even more significant increase of 220% in anomalous web traffic was observed. At that time, the malicious actors had a good grasp of API and application security strategies. Another study revealed the data that many organizations, in fact, 89%, are afraid that once again they will be compromised such as understandably faced in relation to the holiday season.

It is indeed quite clear that most of the time, these bad actors kick off their bad intentions during unexpected times. Cyberattacks still being a thing, companies are duty-bound to be on their guard at all times in order to save their business procedures and data mainly during the holiday season. To ensure the safety of your organization during the holiday season, consider the following ten critical measures to enhance your organization’s security.

Tip 1: Setup a holiday strategy with an emergency plan

This holiday season is the time when the majority of businesses undergo a varying work schedule with minimal manpower available due to leaves and vacation time. But these changes multiply the organizations’ chances of falling prey to cyber threats. To avoid significant breaches, data loss, and other cyber incidents in their wake, holidays are the perfect excuses to run company-wide security training programs. Here are some of the main action plan items within such a plan for how to handle emergencies:

• Protect specialist cybersecurity consultants to supervise. Employees must be taught holiday security procedures.
• Use system observation and alerting. Creation of an incident reporting communication.
• Protect specialist cybersecurity consultants to supervise.
• Employees must be taught holiday security procedures. Use system observation and alerting. Creation of an incident reporting communication.

Tip 2: Secure Internal Networks with Limited Access and Virtual Desktops

This holiday season, with many employees working from home or away for vacation, it’s critical to interface access to the internal network carefully. Cybercriminals mostly target you for unauthorized access by Remote Desktop Protocols (RDP). Limiting RDP connections and using a strong form of authentication reduces the chances of successful intrusions. Additionally, introducing Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) adds another layer of security. Even if a remote machine is compromised, your core network is still safe as a shield. VDI also allows you to easily implement and monitor that access, giving you a key added defense against cyber threats during the holidays.

Tip 3: Utilize a centralized and automated patch management system.

Artificial intelligence update automation centrally organizes the software updating process by a common means to all devices and systems. They carry out this task in a common way for all devices and systems, thus, reducing the number of vulnerabilities and loopholes that hackers can make use of to attack systems. Automated machinery makes it possible to complete the patching within a time frame that best suits. Several employees being on leave has not been a problem since automated updates exclude chances of missing essential security patches, thus, your company will be protected against cyber threats.

Tip 4: Create a strong data backup and recovery strategy

A disaster recovery plan, which has been included in your care, is fundamental in protecting kettlebell litigation from loss of data due to damage, negligence, or even some hacking. Apart from that, rapid backup solutions will enhance the effectiveness of response efforts, and therefore recovering will be done with ease. Having a backup schedule also translates to reduced downtime and hence the impact of loss of productivity and customer service during the peak of Christmas season is reduced. The other aspect of security that is provided through encryption and authentication controls who has access to backup files and in this way, the data is kept intact and not modified. Ongoing testing and validation allow one to feel confident in the stability of the backups and the ability of the organization to be prepared to respond should the contingency arise.

Tip 5: Bolster security with strong password policies and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

The use of stringent password requirements and the inclusion of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) helps to significantly harden your defenses from unauthorized access and conceivable infringements. If a password policy is strong, there should be unique passwords. They should also not be stored in the browser or written on Post-its which makes them easier to guess or crack by an adversary. That provides additional protection. The most effective way of having a different password for all accounts is through the use of a password manager.

With MFA, in addition to the password, the user will need to receive a code via a mobile app to validate the login. MFA is a great extension of security as it ensures that even if passwords are broken, other factors of authentication are required to gain access. Implementation of such measures is particularly important looking at the holidays since they help reduce risks of unauthorized access, credential compromise and data breaches.

Tip 6: Conduct regular administrative account audits and access control configuration checks

Routine evaluations of administrative accounts allow the elimination of unnecessary administrative access as well as determination of whether some access is required perhaps further, eliminating the likelihood that any untrustworthy person would be able to carry out any significant actions. Access controls are defined as those security measures which define and administer access to certain resources and the performance of certain actions within the systems of an organization. Such access controls are particularly used to control access to resources, identity verification is done through authentication, and the necessary permissions are granted through authorization. These measures minimize risks of unauthorized access and are also important in protecting data during the holidays when people are more likely to be prone to risks.

Tip 7: Employ Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services

MDR services include threat surveillance, incident detection, and responsive actions, which play a significant role in keeping current cyber problems at bay. Christmas is a very sensitive period for businesses, but with the assistance and round-the-clock watching that comes with MDR, organizations are better prepared to secure their information and activities.

Tip 8: Implement all-inclusive IT asset tracking

Install an inclusive audit to all IT assets, including computers, mobile devices, servers, software, and network components, and include shadow assets that may be out of the standard inventory. You build up the organization’s capacity, the systematic management of vulnerabilities, the reduction of security risks, and the protection of data and crucial processes during the holiday period thanks to the full inventory of IT assets.

Tip 9: Assess the security posture of third-party and interconnected vendors of your organization

Even third-party vendors and interconnected services pose a dire threat to your organization’s security. It is essential to evaluate the security practices of such parties to avoid threats and vulnerabilities. Measure their risk exposure and their alignment with your data protection requirements.

Tip 10: Conduct phishing awareness training for employees

Holiday seasons bring phishing attacks aimed at employees during times when they should be on alert, with attractive propositions coupled with fraudulent messages. Awareness training helps avoid such manipulative methods amongst the workforce. Training on holiday related scam tactics such as misselling flash sales, fake free gift cards, fake missed deliveries, and fake discounts allows the employees to be on the lookout and prepares them to counter the attack.

Conclusion

The following ten must-have cybersecurity practices will help strengthen your organization’s defenses against cyber criminals during the holidays. By observing these precautions, you will secure your data and operations more completely making it difficult for cyber threats to materialize, thus achieving a secure and stress free holiday.