Holiday Cybersecurity Tips for Businesses

The Holidays Are Here, and So Are Cybercriminals

The holiday season is a time for celebration, but for businesses, it’s also peak time for cyber threats. While your team is focused on year-end goals, holiday sales, and well-deserved time off, attackers are working overtime. Why? Because the festive rush creates the perfect storm: distracted employees, reduced IT staffing, and a surge in online transactions.

In fact, phishing attempts spike by 400% from October to November, and fraud-related attacks are projected to rise by 520% this season, driven by generative AI and automated bots. ¹ If that sounds alarming, it’s because it is. But with the right strategies, you can keep your business safe and your holidays stress-free.

Why Cyber Threats Surge During the Holidays

Cybercriminals know businesses are stretched thin during November and December. Here’s why attacks skyrocket:

Reduced IT Staff: Skeleton crews mean slower response times.
Distracted Employees: Holiday shopping and travel plans make staff more likely to click suspicious links.
Seasonal Hiring: Temporary workers often lack cybersecurity training.
Increased Digital Transactions: More e-commerce activity creates more opportunities for fraud.

According to Fortinet, over 18,000 holiday-themed domains were registered in the past three months, with at least 750 confirmed malicious. Attackers use these domains for phishing, fake storefronts, and SEO poisoning campaigns. ²

Top Holiday Cyber Threats Businesses Face

1. Phishing Scams

Phishing remains the number one holiday threat. Attackers impersonate retailers, shipping companies, or even your own executives. These emails often look legitimate, with subject lines like “Delivery Issue” or “Year-End Invoice.”

Stat to Know: Phishing attempts surge by 400% during the holiday season. ¹
Pro Tips:
- Train employees to hover over links before clicking and verify sender addresses.
- If you get an email from a vendor with “important billing changes,” always confirm (ideally by phone, not just email) before giving out any payment information. If an intruder is in your vendor’s email, messages can be intercepted.
- Implement email filtering and multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all accounts.

2. Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware groups love long weekends and holiday breaks. They know your IT team is short-staffed, making detection and response slower.

Stat to Know: Nearly nine out of ten ransomware incidents occur on weekends or holidays. ³
Pro Tip: Validate backups and test restores before the holiday rush. Patch vulnerabilities and lock down remote access tools like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and Virtual Private Network (VPN). If you partner with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) like Reality Bytes, they will likely handle this for you, so you don’t have to worry.

3. Account Takeovers

Credential stuffing and brute-force attacks spike during high-traffic periods. Criminals use stolen login data from previous breaches to access business accounts.

Stat to Know: Over 1.57 million e-commerce login accounts were found in underground markets this season. ⁴
Pro Tip: Enforce strong password policies and MFA. Consider endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions for added protection.

4. Gift Card Fraud

Gift cards are easy to resell and hard to trace, making them a favourite for scammers.

Stat to Know: Gift card fraud losses jumped 300% this year, with 34% of adults targeted. ¹
Pro Tip: Educate staff to verify unusual gift card requests and implement tamper-evident packaging if you sell gift cards.

5. Emerging Threats: AI and QR Code Scams

Generative AI is fuelling more convincing phishing emails and fake ads. QR code fraud is also on the rise, tricking users into scanning malicious codes.

Stat to Know: QR code fraud is expected to grow significantly this season, exploiting consumer trust in contactless payments. ⁵
Pro Tip: Warn employees about scanning codes from unknown sources and monitor for AI-generated scams.

The Human Factor: Your Biggest Vulnerability

Technology can only do so much. Human error accounts for the majority of breaches. Seasonal stress and multitasking make employees more likely to fall for scams.

Stat to Know: 94% of SMBs faced cyberattacks in 2024, and 78% fear a single breach could shutter their business. ⁶
Pro Tip: Run a quick refresher training before the holidays. Focus on phishing awareness, password hygiene, and safe remote work practices.

Practical Steps to Secure Your Business This Holiday Season

Here’s your holiday cybersecurity checklist:

Update and Patch Systems: Close known vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.
Enable MFA Everywhere: From email to cloud apps, MFA is your best defence against account takeovers.
Review Access Controls: Limit admin privileges and lock down unused accounts.
Secure Remote Access: Disable unnecessary RDP and VPN access or enforce strict authentication.
Validate Backups: Test restores to ensure you can recover quickly from ransomware. If you don’t follow the 3-2-1 backup rule yet, this is your sign to start.
Monitor for Anomalies: Use managed IT services or a Security Operations Centre (SOC) for real-time threat detection.
Educate Employees: Share examples of holiday-themed phishing and remind staff to verify requests.

Why Partnering with an MSP Matters

Cybersecurity isn’t just a holiday concern, it’s a year-round necessity. Managed IT Services providers like Reality Bytes offer proactive monitoring, endpoint protection, and incident response, so you can focus on your business while we handle the threats.

Our team can help you:

Implement MFA and advanced email security.
Monitor networks 24/7 for suspicious activity.
Provide employee training tailored to seasonal risks.
Ensure compliance with industry regulations.

Looking Ahead: Cyber Resilience for 2026

The holiday threat landscape is evolving fast. Attackers are using AI-driven tools to automate phishing, credential stuffing, and fraud at scale. Businesses that wait until after the holidays to act are already behind.

Investing in cybersecurity now means peace of mind later. Whether it’s endpoint protection, cloud security, or co-managed IT, Reality Bytes is here to help you stay ahead of the curve.

Closing Thoughts

The holidays should be a time for celebration, not crisis management. By taking proactive steps—training your team, securing your systems, and partnering with experts—you can keep your business safe and your season merry.

Ready to strengthen your holiday cybersecurity? Contact us today and let’s make sure your business stays secure into the new year.

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Holiday Cybersecurity: How Businesses Can Stay Safe During the Festive Season