The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration—but for cybercriminals, it’s also a
season of opportunity. Often distracted by increased customer demands and seasonal
operations, small businesses are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Here’s why the
holidays are a hotbed for cybercrime and how Teleco can help protect your business:
Why Your Business Is at Risk During the Holidays
- Surge in Online Activity
Increased e-commerce transactions create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit
vulnerabilities in payment systems or mimic your website with phishing scams. - Distracted and Overwhelmed Staff
Year-end tasks, holiday preparations, and customer demands can lead to lapses in
judgment, making employees more likely to click on phishing emails disguised as gift
card offers or delivery notifications. - Untrained Seasonal Employees
Temporary staff often lack proper cybersecurity training, increasing the risk of
mishandling sensitive information or falling victim to social engineering tactics. - Spike in Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks
The holiday spirit is exploited through fake promotional emails and “urgent” discount
offers that trick employees into clicking malicious links. - Gaps in IT Security Monitoring
Reduced staffing during holidays means slower response times to suspicious activity,
leaving businesses vulnerable to ransomware attacks and breaches. - Third-Party Vulnerabilities
Dependence on vendors for payment processing, shipping, or IT services can expose
your business to supply chain attacks. - Increased Financial Pressure
Cybercriminals capitalize on the urgency of holiday sales to launch ransomware attacks,
knowing businesses are more likely to pay quickly to avoid disruptions. - Use of Unsecured Personal Devices
Employees working remotely or on personal devices often connect through unsecured
networks, increasing the risk of malware and data breaches.
How to Protect Your Business This Holiday Season
Train Your Team: Educate employees about phishing scams, the importance of
keeping customer data secure, and best practices for using personal devices.
Update Systems Regularly: Ensure all software, systems, and applications are
patched against known vulnerabilities.
Strengthen Endpoint Security: Use firewalls, antivirus software, and encryption on all
devices accessing your business network.
Monitor 24/7: Invest in continuously monitoring your IT infrastructure to detect threats
before they escalate.
Have an Incident Response Plan: Prepare for the worst with a clear plan that includes
backups and communication protocols.
Cybercriminals don’t take holidays off—and neither should your cybersecurity efforts. By
staying vigilant and proactive, you can focus on growing your business while keeping
cyber threats at bay.
Teleco is here to help.
From employee training to 24/7 monitoring and advanced
security solutions, we’ll protect your business.
Contact us today at sales@teleco.ca or 807-346-7292 to safeguard your business this holiday season.
