Beat holiday hackers: 6 Cybersecurity tips

While the holidays are your busiest season, beware of humbug hackers eager to take advantage while you’re distracted. Review the top cybersecurity threats and our 6 cybersecurity tips to get ready for the holidays.

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The naughty list: Top cyber threats to watch for this holiday season

According to the Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, these are the types of threats that may impact your business over the holidays.

Phishing

The median time it takes users to fall for a phishing email is less than 60 seconds¹

Stolen credentials

31% of breaches involve the use of stolen passwords²

Ransomware

32% of breaches involve ransomware or other extortion techniques³

Business email

compromise The median loss for business email compromise attacks is about $50,000⁴

The nice list: Top 6 ways to improve your cybersecurity for the holidays

Now is the time to make a list and check it twice to get your cybersecurity practices ready for the holiday rush. Use this checklist to protect your business.

1. Give your passwords an upgrade

Create complex, unique passwords for all your logins and accounts:

Don’t reuse passwords
Include numbers, capital letters and special characters in each password
Use a password manager to keep track of passwords

2. Think beyond the password

Add two-factor authentication (2FA) to create an extra layer of security. Methods include:

A code sent through email or text
Biometrics
Authenticator apps

3. Keep your software up-to-date

Make sure you install the latest patches to keep your systems secure. Check your:

Operating systems
Applications
Device firmware

4. Avoid suspicious emails

Your employees are your most important defense against attacks like phishing. Make sure they watch out for emails with:

Suspicious URLs
Demands for payment
Requests for passwords

5. Secure your mobile devices

Here’s how to keep your work phones and tablets secure in the event they are lost or stolen:

Add passwords or biometrics to the unlock screen
Use a Mobile Device Management solution to remotely lock and wipe missing devices
Ensure sensitive data is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access

6. Plan for the worst

Prepare ahead of time for an attack so you can get back to business faster:

Create a cybersecurity policy that lists your recovery steps
Know who to call in the event of a ransomware attack
Consider adding cybersecurity insurance to protect your business

Improve your security, reduce your stress

While your holiday to-do list is already long, protecting your business can help you enjoy a worry-free holiday season. Each of these ideas should only take a few minutes, but can save you hours or days of dealing with a cyberattack. Like locking your front door at night, these ideas are your front line of security that can help you prevent the vast majority of attacks.

The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.

¹ Verizon, 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, 2024, page 9.

² ibid, page 43.

³ ibid, page 18.

⁴ ibid, page 9.