The holiday season is a time to slow down, celebrate, and show gratitude. But while you’re giving thanks and preparing for well-deserved time off, cybercriminals are working overtime. Every year, businesses face a surge in cyberattacks during November and December, when employees are distracted, systems are left unattended, and holiday deals fill inboxes.
At Bizco Technologies, we believe one of the best things your business can be thankful for this year is strong cybersecurity. Here’s how to stay protected and proactive during the holiday season.
The holidays are a prime time for cyberattacks. According to recent studies, phishing attempts and ransomware incidents increase dramatically between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Hackers know that businesses often have reduced staff, slower response times, and higher transaction volumes, making it easier to slip through the cracks. Making sure employees are trained to know the common threats is key.
Common threats this time of year include:
With so many distractions, it’s easy for one simple mistake to snowball into a serious breach.
If your business already has a cybersecurity plan in place, that’s something to be grateful for, but now is the perfect time to make sure it’s still effective. Here are a few best practices to help keep your data safe:
Take time to update passwords, confirm that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is active, and verify user permissions. If employees are traveling or working remotely, make sure they know how to securely access business systems.
Remind your team that not every email or online “deal” is legitimate. Encourage them to double-check the sender’s address, avoid clicking links in unexpected messages, and report anything suspicious. A quick refresher can prevent costly mistakes.
Having backups is critical, but they’re only useful if they actually work. Ensure your backups are recent, encrypted, and stored securely, ideally both on-site and in the cloud. Run a quick restore test to confirm everything is functioning correctly.
Cybercriminals don’t take holidays off, which means your systems shouldn’t either. If you work with a managed IT services provider like Bizco, confirm that 24/7 network monitoring and intrusion detection are in place to catch unusual activity before it becomes a problem.
Even the best defenses can’t guarantee complete immunity. Have a clear, written response plan that outlines who to contact, how to isolate affected systems, and what steps to take after an attack. Preparation can minimize downtime and damage.
Cybersecurity often gets all the attention, but physical security is just as important, especially when offices are closed or understaffed. Make sure hardware is locked up, security cameras are functioning, and sensitive documents are stored safely. For companies with hybrid or remote teams, confirm that employees have secure setups at home as well.
The holidays are a reminder to appreciate the systems, people, and partners that keep your business running. Strong cybersecurity doesn’t just protect your data, but it protects your reputation, your customers’ trust, and your peace of mind.
As you plan for the year ahead, consider giving your business the gift of better protection. Whether it’s upgrading your network security, training employees, or outsourcing IT monitoring, proactive investments now can prevent expensive recovery efforts later.
At Bizco, we help businesses stay secure and connected through tailored IT solutions, proactive cybersecurity services, and ongoing support. Our team monitors, maintains, and protects your systems so you can focus on what you do best.
This holiday season, be thankful for your team, your success, and the technology that keeps your business thriving. And if you’re ready to strengthen your cybersecurity for the year ahead, Bizco is here to help.
Contact us today to schedule a cybersecurity assessment or learn more about how we can safeguard your business through every season.