It’s the Most Dangerous Time of the Year: Cyber Risks During the Holidays

Key Takeaways:

1. Hackers don’t take holidays off—cyberattacks increase when businesses are less guarded.
2. Small businesses are the Grinch’s favorite targets because of their limited security resources and seasonal vulnerabilities.
3. MSPs can play Santa, safeguarding small businesses and delivering a secure and joyous holiday season.

The holidays are here—a time for celebration, rest, and shopping sprees! But while you’re decking the halls, cybercriminals are decking their tools with new scams, phishing ploys, and ransomware tricks. The festive season is like Black Friday for hackers, and the last thing anyone wants is for their business to be the bargain they score.

In fact, cyberattacks surge by 30% during the holiday season, according to Cyberint. Hackers know you’re distracted by gift wrapping and eggnog, and they’re counting on businesses to let their guard down. Here’s how these Cyber Grinches operate and how to keep the spirit of the season alive—without falling victim to their schemes.

Why Holidays Are Open Season for Cyber Grinches

Staffing Gaps Are Hacker Gold

Think about it: how many of your team members are on vacation or wrapping up the year with reduced workloads? Hackers know IT teams often run on skeleton crews during the holidays, leaving fewer people to spot anomalies. With fewer eyes on the ball, even a basic phishing email can slip through, leading to costly breaches.

Let’s put it into perspective: 68% of businesses admit they’re less vigilant during the holidays (Cyberint). Cybercriminals exploit this by launching phishing scams disguised as “holiday deals” or urgent “password update” notices. A single misstep could compromise entire systems, leading to a sleigh-load of trouble.

Small Businesses: Hackers’ Stocking Stuffers

Small businesses often believe they’re too small for hackers to bother with. But that’s like saying your cozy little home is too small for the Grinch to ransack. 43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses (Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report), and most of these businesses are woefully underprepared.

Hackers see small businesses as low-hanging fruit—fewer security protocols, older software, and employees who may not be trained to spot a scam. And during the holidays, when awareness is even lower, these businesses become the ultimate targets.

Common Holiday Scams: A Naughty List

1. Holiday Phishing Scams
   Cybercriminals send emails that look like shipping notifications, gift card offers, or fake holiday sales. One-click, and bam!—you’re handing over sensitive credentials or opening the door to malware.
2. Fake Charity Scams
   It’s the season of giving, but hackers take advantage of that generosity by creating fake donation pages or sending phishing emails requesting contributions to non-existent charities.
3. Ransomware “Surprises”
   Hackers love dropping ransomware disguised as invoices, event invites, or holiday greetings into your inbox. Small businesses can be locked out of critical systems without vigilant monitoring at the worst possible time. Having Hackers leverage AI Technologies often makes these attempts look very convincing! 

The Real Cost of Letting Your Guard Down

A successful cyberattack during the holidays can ruin more than just your festive cheer. The consequences can be devastating:

• Financial Loss: The average cost of a data breach for small businesses is $149,000 (IBM Security).
• Operational Downtime: A ransomware attack can halt business operations for days, if not weeks.
• Reputation Damage: Customers and partners lose trust quickly when their data is compromised.
• Business Closure: According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, 60% of small businesses close within six months of a cyberattack.

MSPs, the stakes are high for you, too. Your reputation is tied to your client’s security. One breach can erode trust, impact your business, and damage relationships.

Keeping the Season Bright: Fun Meets Security

We get it—no one wants to be the Scrooge of cybersecurity during the holidays. But staying safe doesn’t have to dampen the festive mood. Think of it as wrapping your business in a cozy cybersecurity blanket, ready to outsmart those Cyber Grinches.

For Small Businesses: A Holiday Cybersecurity Checklist

1. Train Your Team, Holiday Style
   Run a “Santa’s Workshop” phishing simulation with festive-themed phishing emails. Reward employees who spot scams with small gifts or recognition, turning security into a fun, competitive game. Your MSP can support and help with this! 
2. Update Your Systems Before the Holiday Rush
   No one wants a surprise vulnerability under the tree. Schedule updates and patches well before the holidays begin.
3. Back-Up Your Data—Twice
   Keep a clean backup offline, just like you’d keep that special holiday gift hidden away from prying eyes.
4. Beware of “Too Good to Be True” Deals
   Teach employees to scrutinize suspiciously generous offers and emails, especially during the sales season.

For MSPs: Be the Holiday Heroes

1. Offer Holiday-Specific Awareness Campaigns
   Send out “12 Days of Cyber Safety” emails to clients with bite-sized tips for staying safe. Bonus points for making it festive and fun!
2. Deploy Advanced Monitoring Tools
   Ensure that automated monitoring tools actively scan for unusual behavior while you and your team enjoy your holiday break.
3. Schedule Pre-Holiday Audits
   Conduct security audits for your clients before the holiday season to identify gaps and vulnerabilities. Think of it as a cybersecurity tune-up before the busy season.
4. Be On-Call for Emergencies
   Make sure clients know how to reach you if something goes wrong. A strong communication plan can make all the difference in an incident.
5. Spread Holiday Cheer (and Cybersecurity Wisdom)
   Send out festive emails or videos with tips for staying safe. Use the opportunity to position yourself as the go-to cybersecurity expert.

The holidays are meant to be merry and bright, not a time for cyber crises. By staying vigilant and taking proactive steps, small businesses and MSPs can outsmart the Cyber Grinches lurking in the shadows.

Let’s ensure the only surprises under the tree are good ones this season. Stay safe and secure, and may your holiday season be filled with joy—not ransomware.

From all of us at Guardz, happy holidays! 🎄✨