🏏 Cybercriminals Love the Holidays More Than You Think

As the year winds down, many organisations relax, focusing on holidays, family time, and wrapping up loose ends. But while staff are in a festive mindset, cybercriminals are stepping up to the crease. The end-of-year period is one of the riskiest times for data loss, with attackers exploiting distraction, reduced staffing, and lowered vigilance.

Why Holidays Are High-Risk

Loose Concentration = Weak Defense
Employees winding down, multitasking, or mentally checked out are more likely to click on malicious links or overlook suspicious activity - similar to misjudging a tricky ball and getting caught out.

Phishing Spike = Clever Spin
Attackers know inboxes are flooded with holiday offers, shipping updates, and charity appeals. Malicious emails are disguised to blend seamlessly with legitimate communications, much like a spinner hiding a deceptive delivery.

Skeleton Staff = Gaps in the Field
IT and security teams often operate with reduced coverage. Attackers exploit these gaps, knowing that slower detection and response increases their chance of success.

Device Mobility = Playing on Away Grounds
Laptops and phones travel with staff, often connecting to unsecured networks in airports, hotels, or cafés. This creates ideal conditions for attackers to target vulnerable endpoints.

Common End-of-Year Attack Scenarios

• Fake Holiday & Shopping Deals: Phishing emails promise discounts or exclusive offers, luring users to share credentials or download malware.
• Travel & Shipping Scams: Spoofed airline confirmations or parcel notifications trick employees into opening malicious attachments.
• Charity Fraud: Cybercriminals exploit goodwill with fake donation sites, turning generosity into vulnerability.
• CEO Fraud & Urgent Transfers: Finance teams under year-end pressure may fall for fraudulent “urgent” payment requests - akin to a perfectly timed Yorker aimed at the stumps.

How to Stay Vigilant (Play a Solid Innings)

Reinforce Awareness: Remind staff that phishing attempts spike during holidays. Share examples of seasonal scams so they can “read the ball” early.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: MFA acts like a second slip, providing a critical safety net when the first line of defence fails.

Patch Before the Break: Update systems and applications before teams disperse, leaving no cracks in the pitch for attackers.

Continuous Monitoring: Automated monitoring tools act as all-rounders, keeping an eye on anomalies even when staff are away.

Validate Backups: Ensure backups are current, encrypted, and immutable - your insurance against ransomware attacks.

Plan for Incidents: Establish a clear escalation path so urgent issues are resolved promptly, preventing a collapse under pressure.

Final Thought

Cybercriminals don’t take holidays - they wait for yours. By staying vigilant, reinforcing awareness, and preparing your defences, organisations can enjoy the festive season without the unwelcome gift of a data breach. Treat your cyber strategy like a carefully played innings: anticipate the threats, guard your stumps, and make every move count. That way, your organisation can enjoy a safe, productive, and celebratory end to the year.