During the holiday period, many companies tend to reduce their operations, which can end up creating a false sense of security. The reduction in operations and attention creates a favorable environment for cybercriminals, who take advantage of reduced surveillance to intensify their activities. However, they see these occasions as an opportunity to intensify their activities, knowing that the teams responsible for monitoring are reduced or receive less attention.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) encourages users to be aware of potential scams during the holidays and holidays. It is precisely at this stage that companies need to remain more vigilant. The reduction of teams and the increase in remote work favor the exploitation of vulnerabilities by attackers. A lack of preparation and attention quickly compromises a company's cybersecurity.
In this sense, maintaining robust security is important to protect business data, the most valuable assets and the main targets of cyber attacks. Compromised data can cause financial losses and irreparable damage to the image and trust of customers.
In this article, we will explore the main risks faced by companies during the holidays , as well as suggesting proactive measures to prevent attacks . It is important to remember that digital security does not take time off , and ensuring the continuity of operations is important to preserve business assets and customer trust.
Why are the holidays a critical time for cyberattacks?
The vacation period presents several factors that increase the vulnerability of organizations . Firstly, one of the main reasons is the reduction of teams on corporate systems. Additionally, with reduced monitoring, threats can go unnoticed , allowing attackers to exploit loopholes that could be quickly identified under normal conditions.
Another factor that makes vacation a more favorable time for cyber attacks is, in addition, the use of personal devices by employees. Many employees take advantage of the period to work remotely, accessing systems from personal networks and devices, which often do not have the same level of security as corporate networks.
Additionally, the increase in online transactions during the holidays , particularly in retail, provides more opportunities for phishing and fraud. According to data from Salesforce , consumers spent approximately $1.2 trillion on online purchases, which represents 3% growth compared to the previous year. This increase reflects the change in consumption habits, with more people opting for the internet to make their purchases.
Cybercriminals of the high volume of financial activities to mask their actions, sending fraudulent emails aimed at both consumers and company employees.
The vulnerability of companies during vacation periods
During the holiday period, cybercriminals intensify their malicious activities , taking advantage of vulnerabilities present in companies' networks and devices . As we said previously, with reduced teams, systems become more vulnerable and there is less continuous monitoring. Consequently, this scenario provides opportunities for attacks such as ransomware , phishing and other digital threats.
86% of ransomware victims were attacked on weekends or holidays, when defenses are weaker, according to data from Semperis . This data shows how criminals take advantage of security flaws and reduced monitoring during these times.
In addition to the statistics, there are real-life cases of companies that suffered devastating attacks during the holiday period, resulting in substantial financial losses and damage to their reputation . For example, Target , one of the largest retail chains in the United States, suffered a cyber attack between November 27th and December 15th, 2013, which resulted in the theft of data from more than 40 million credit cards. Initial investigations revealed that an air conditioning maintenance service provider used remote access, enabling the attack.
These attacks show that criminals choose strategic dates when companies are least prepared for incidents. Thus, they exploit the vulnerabilities generated by the reduction of teams and the lack of continuous monitoring.
For this reason, it is important that companies prepare to deal with these attacks, even during periods of lower activity. Having a contingency plan , keeping defenses up to date and ensuring continuous vigilance are fundamental practices to avoid these problems and the irreparable damage they cause.
Reduced teams and lack of monitoring
During the holidays, many companies end up operating with reduced teams , directly impacting their ability to monitor and respond to cyber threats . Consequently, reduced availability of IT and security personnel limits surveillance and creates vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit.
Team reduction is one of the factors that cybercriminals use to launch more sophisticated attacks , which are often not quickly detected. As a result, longer response times can result in greater damage to infrastructure , increasing downtime and causing even greater losses.
The lack of proactive monitoring during these periods is another very critical issue. Additionally, without the necessary personnel to review security logs , perform traffic analysis , and investigate security alerts , many signs of intrusion end up being ignored or delayed, allowing hackers to remain on networks longer.
In this sense, even if the team operates with fewer employees, it is necessary that system monitoring is not neglected . Likewise, automated monitoring and alerting solutions , along with an incident response plan , can help mitigate risks during the holidays and ensure continued cybersecurity .
Use of insecure personal devices
The use of personal devices by employees while on vacation can pose a major risk to the company's cybersecurity. Without the security controls applied to personal devices, corporate information can be compromised, especially if employees access unsecured networks or use unsecured devices . Therefore, it is essential that companies adopt strict security policies to mitigate these risks.
Often, these personal devices do not have security or antivirus installed, making it easier for unauthorized users . Additionally, home and public networks used to access corporate systems can be vulnerable to data interception , putting company information at risk.
Furthermore, it is important to mention the process of remote access to corporate systems through unmonitored systems, which is a major vulnerability. Consequently, the absence of clear security policies for remote work , such as the mandatory use of VPN and multi-factor authentication , means that employees expose the corporate network to attacks by cybercriminals who exploit these flaws.
For this reason, it is essential that companies adopt strict security policies for the use of personal devices, such as providing security software and clear guidelines on access to corporate systems . This way, it is possible to combat risks and protect company information, even while performing remote work .
Increase in digital transactions and fake promotions
Another very important factor to mention is the significant increase in digital transactions that take place during the holidays. This increase in transaction volume creates a favorable scenario for fraud and phishing attacks , as many consumers and businesses are focused on offers and promotions and may put security on the back burner. Furthermore, since October, scammers have created more than 1,000 fraudulent pages, according to a survey by cybersecurity consultancy Redbelt Security.
Cybercriminals often take advantage of this sudden increase in online activity to launch more massive attacks, using fraudulent means , such as fake websites that imitate legitimate services and stores. As a result, these campaigns are designed to trick even the most experienced users into providing personal information or corporate data.
In addition to financial losses , many companies become targets of attacks due to increased traffic on their systems. In this context, seasonal promotions end up generating spikes in access which, when exploited, can be used to launch denial of service attacks and overload servers .
The ESET research team presented a detailed survey of digital threats recorded between June and November 2024, revealing a 20% increase in digital threats targeting the Android operating system, focused on both banking applications and cryptocurrency wallets.
Therefore, it is essential that companies are prepared to deal with the increase in digital transactions , implementing robust security solutions and educating their employees and customers about the risks of fake promotions and cyber attacks. Furthermore, a proactive approach can prevent the holiday period from becoming a period of vulnerability for the organization.
Main threats and benefits during vacation periods
During the holiday period, companies face several digital threats, with phishing one of the most common. These attacks consist of sending false emails or messages, disguised as reliable sources, to deceive the user and steal confidential information.
Another very common threat during this period is ransomware attacks , where attackers block access to valuable company data and demand a ransom to restore it. Furthermore, this type of attack can be devastating, especially when IT teams are unable to respond quickly to security incidents.
Unauthorized access is a growing concern, especially with the rise of remote work during this time. Additionally, employees who access corporate systems through insecure networks can expose company information to cybercriminals , who exploit these vulnerabilities to access confidential data.
Other techniques, such as DDoS attacks and seasonal malware , also pose significant risks to companies. What's more, these threats are aimed at overloading systems or infecting devices with malicious programs , disrupting operations and causing financial losses.
Phishing: The scam that fools even the most attentive
Phishing attacks are one of the most common forms of cyberattack during the holidays. In this context, this approach often involves emails that appear legitimate , but are designed to trick recipients into providing sensitive information such as login credentials or banking details.
Cybercriminals are intensifying their activities during the holiday period, according to a warning from Check Point Research . The organization has detected an increase in new malicious domains linked to the summer holidays. In May 2023, the month before the start of daylight saving time, 29,880 new domains related to holidays or time off were registered – an increase of 23% compared to the same period in 2022, when 24,367 domains were created. Among the activated sites, experts classified one in 83 as malicious or suspicious.
What makes phishing such a dangerous threat is its ability to impersonate trusted sources . This is because during the holidays, when people are focused on shopping or completing errands before traveling, their attention to detail can decrease, making them more susceptible targets .
Its constant evolution is a worrying aspect of phishing. In fact, cybercriminals are using increasingly sophisticated techniques, such as message personalization and social engineering , to increase the chances of their approach being successful. Additionally, mass phishing campaigns targeting both consumers and businesses tend to increase in volume during the holiday season.
How to protect yourself from phishing
To reduce the risks of this approach, companies need to invest in awareness and training for employees to ensure they know how to identify and avoid these scams. Therefore, it is essential that companies reinforce their defenses against phishing, especially during the period of greatest vulnerability. Only then, combining cutting-edge technology with awareness practices allows significant risk reduction and protects corporate data against this type of threat.
To protect yourself against phishing, you need to verify senders by checking the sender's email address to ensure the legitimacy of the information. Furthermore, it is important to avoid clicking on suspicious links , preferably hovering the cursor over the links to preview the URL before clicking. Finally, the use of security filters is essential , as it allows the detection and blocking of phishing attempts before they are successful.
Ransomware: Data blocking during vacation
Ransomware poses a growing threat during the holidays, with attacks targeting companies operating with reduced staff and less responsiveness . This type of attack consists of the kidnapping of data , which is encrypted, demanding the payment of a ransom to restore access. After all, slow identification and response to incidents during the holidays can worsen the damage, causing longer interruptions and impacting business operations.
According to a report from Rapid7, more than 2,500 ransomware attacks were recorded in the first half of 2024 alone, which represents an average of almost 15 publicly claimed attacks per day.
Cybercriminals take advantage of the reduced number of employees to exploit vulnerabilities , launching attacks at strategic times, such as weekends , holidays and vacation periods . This way, ransomware can propagate uninterruptedly, resulting in significant damage before it can be detected and mitigated.
Recent examples show how companies across industries were severely impacted by ransomware attacks during the holiday season . An example of this occurred in November 2020, when Capcom , a renowned Japanese company responsible for games such as Street Fighter and Resident Evil , was the target of a Ragnar Locker ransomware attack. The attack encrypted and destroyed information stored on its servers.
It is estimated that the compromised data included information from around 350,000 people, covering customers, employees and business partners in Japan and the United States. The suspicion of a cyber attack arose on November 2, after a series of failures in the company's systems.
Preventive measures against ransomware
To prevent attacks of this type, companies need to take a proactive , such as performing regular backups , frequently updating software , and raising staff awareness about security best practices . Furthermore, it is necessary to implement rapid detection and response to reduce downtime and minimize the financial and operational impacts of the intervention.
updating software and systems helps ensure that all applications used are up to date with the latest security patches Additionally, empower your team to recognize and avoid ransomware , helping your company stay protected .
Unauthorized Access: Unprotected Networks at Risk
During the holidays, unauthorized access to corporate networks becomes one of the biggest security risks. This risk occurs when attackers are able to access systems without permission , exploiting vulnerabilities such as weak passwords or, in addition, insecure Wi-Fi networks used by employees when working remotely.
The use of public devices outside the corporate environment is one of the main entry points for unauthorized access. Furthermore, criminals take advantage of these vulnerabilities to gain access to the system without the company's authorization.
The absence of multifactor authentication is another critical point for companies, as this strategy could significantly hinder the success of malicious approaches. Consequently, multifactor authentication adds an extra layer of protection by requiring identity validation across two or more factors , such as passwords and codes sent to the user's cell phone.
How to prevent unauthorized access
To prevent unauthorized access, the company must invest in solutions such as virtual private networks (VPNs) to establish secure connections and robust authentication. Additionally, continuous monitoring of networks helps detect suspicious activity and implement resolution approaches more quickly, minimizing damage.
Implementing a more robust password creation policy is very valuable. In this sense, it is necessary for the company to establish requirements for strong passwords and periodic changes , keeping the network increasingly protected.
Other threats: DDoS and seasonal malware
In addition to unauthorized access, there are other types of threats, such as distributed denial of service (DDoS) and seasonal malware that increases during the holidays. According to security reports, cyber attacks see an increase of up to 30% during the holiday season . Among the most frequent tactics are the use of ransomware, DDoS attacks and the exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The objective of these attacks is, therefore, to overload systems , exploit specific vulnerabilities, compromise data and cause disruptions.
DDoS attacks , for example, are particularly harmful to organizations that rely on online services such as e-commerce . Furthermore, during the holiday period, when there is a significant increase in user traffic, cybercriminals take the opportunity to launch attacks that overload servers and result in lost sales and customer dissatisfaction.
On the other hand, seasonal malware is designed to trick users with typical themes such as year-end messages and holiday promotions. Additionally, the spread of malware through fake attachments or links installs these programs on devices and compromises personal and corporate data.
First and foremost, preventing these digital threats requires implementing solutions such as robust firewalls , clear security policies, and intrusion detection systems. Furthermore, employee awareness also plays a fundamental role, allowing them to know how to identify and avoid these pitfalls.
How to protect your company during the holidays?
As we can see throughout this material, during the holidays, protecting the company against digital threats requires the adoption of robust and proactive strategies. Furthermore, strengthening the IT infrastructure, combined with continuous monitoring practices, are actions that help ensure the security of your organization.
Below, we highlight some fundamental actions to protect your company:
Infrastructure strengthening
Investing in more robust infrastructure is one of the most important ways to reduce cyber risks during the holidays. Constant system updates and strict access control ensure that operations remain protected, even during adverse situations.
The more prepared your infrastructure is, the easier it will be to deal with these threats. Continuous monitoring is a valuable ally in this process, helping to identify digital threats before they cause real problems for the organization.
Regular data backup
Performing regular backups and secure storage is an essential practice to combat attacks such as ransomware . An up-to-date backup ensures that data can be restored without relying on ransom payments, protecting your company from financial losses caused by these threats.
Additionally, automatic backups , performed at regular intervals, minimize the risk of information loss, ensuring that your company always has a backup copy of all valuable information.
Storing backups outside of the main network , whether through cloud solutions or disconnected physical devices, helps create an extra layer of protection against attacks. This approach ensures that even in the event of a network compromise, data remains accessible.
Software and system updates
Keeping operating systems and applications always up to date is essential to prevent the exploitation of vulnerabilities. Vendors regularly release security patches to patch holes that cybercriminals could use to access corporate networks and systems.
Automating the update process is an effective way to ensure that no system becomes outdated. This practice helps eliminate reliance on manual scans and significantly reduces the chance of exploiting vulnerabilities.
Strengthening passwords
Implementing strong password and requiring them to change them regularly are basic but highly effective measures to prevent unauthorized access. Long passwords , which combine letters, numbers and special characters, help make it difficult for password cracking tools used by cybercriminals .
Supplementing security with password management helps minimize human error and avoid using weak or repeated passwords. Enterprise solutions for secure credential storage protect login data and ensure access to user passwords.
Access control
Defining access levels based on employee roles is an efficient way to limit potential damage in the event of compromise. Not all employees need to have unrestricted access to all systems, and adopting the principle of least privilege helps significantly reduce risk.
Multi-factor authentication should be incorporated as an extra layer of security, making it difficult for attackers to gain access, even if credentials are compromised.
Continuous monitoring
Keeping your monitoring system active while on vacation is essential to quickly identify and respond to possible suspicious activity. Security solutions, such as real-time alerts , help detect intrusion attempts, unusual traffic patterns, and unauthorized access.
Companies that do not have internal teams available during the holidays may consider hiring monitoring services or outsourcing IT services , such as the security operations center. These services guarantee 24/7 surveillance, even if your company has a small team.
Team training
Investing in employee training is as important as implementing technological tools. The more prepared your employees are, the easier it will be to identify phishing , malware and other types of attacks.
To do this, the organization needs to develop a specific training plan , which takes into account today's main digital threats and the company's needs. This way, employees can prepare to identify threats and avoid creating points of vulnerability that can be exploited by cybercriminals.
Good practices for employees
In addition to educating your employees about the risks associated with using public networks , personal devices and sharing sensitive information, it is necessary that they understand the need to create more robust passwords and adopt a preventive stance with regard to their online activities.
To achieve this, the company needs to offer regular training that keeps them up to date on the latest tactics used by cybercriminals, so that they can combat and identify these risks more efficiently. This training plan must include and reinforce the need to pay attention to even the smallest signs in the digital environment, considering that a large part of digital threats are favored by inappropriate behavior on the part of users.
Encourage the use of VPN for remote connections and emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious links and attachments . These simple strategies alone significantly reduce a company's exposure to cyberattacks.
Digital security checklist for the holidays – Quick and practical tips
To facilitate the process of identifying vulnerabilities and preparing for the holidays, we have compiled a simple and practical checklist to help maintain security:
- Perform regular backups and check data integrity;
- Update all systems and applications before vacation;
- Implement multi-factor authentication ;
- Review access permissions ;
- Train employees on security practices and cyber awareness ;
- monitoring and incident response systems .
Although these measures seem simple, they are strategies that can help the company remain more protected during this period. We need to remember that data is an organization's most valuable asset , and it is necessary to implement security measures that help keep it protected.
Benefits of a proactive approach to digital security
Taking a proactive approach to digital security allows companies to always stay one step ahead of digital threats. Investing in tools and practices significantly reduces the risk of attack, minimizing operational interruptions that could negatively impact your business.
Reduction of financial losses
Reducing financial losses is one of the main benefits of adopting robust digital security practices. Companies that invest in preventive tools such as firewalls , regular backups and monitoring systems are able to minimize the impact of cyber attacks, including successful ones. We know that an attack can lead to millions in losses , including data recovery costs, loss of customers and interruption of operations.
This proactive stance avoids unexpected costs related to data recovery or payment of ransoms in the event of ransomware, in addition to preserving the integrity of information. We know that this type of approach helps avoid ransom , and preventing the incidence of ransomware protects the company from financial impacts.
The proactive approach also helps reduce financial losses caused by cyber attacks. In addition to avoiding fines and sanctions for non-compliance with data protection legislation, such as the LGPD , it also enables emergency and data recovery .
Increased trust with customers and partners
Another very important benefit is the strengthening of the company's reputation in the market. Customers and business partners value organizations that demonstrate commitment to digital security , as this reflects responsibility and transparency in the handling of data. Companies that suffer data breaches often lose the trust of their customers, something that can be avoided with simple protection measures.
Security proactivity also contributes to improving operational efficiency . Well-protected and monitored systems experience fewer failures and interruptions, allowing employees to maintain focus on core activities. Regular training, in turn, allows the creation of a more conscious and resilient corporate environment , reducing the possibility of human errors that could compromise systems.
Don't leave digital security aside on vacation
Although holidays represent a time of rest and relaxation for many, they are also a critical period for the digital security of corporations. The reduction of teams, the increase in the use of personal devices and the growth of online transactions create a favorable scenario for the exploitation of vulnerabilities by cybercriminals. Ignoring the need to protect corporate systems during this time can result in devastating attacks that impact both your operations and the reputation .
Adopting a proactive stance is essential to guarantee digital security even in times of less surveillance. Measures such as implementing regular backups , multi-factor authentication and team training are just a few examples of actions that can identify risks and mitigate them.
So your company's digital security Protecting yourself against cyberattacks is more than a technical issue; It is a strategic responsibility that can make all the difference in the positioning of your company. Companies that invest in security protect data, earn the trust of their customers and partners, building a solid and secure future.
