Preparing for the Christmas Break: How to Stay Cyber-Secure Over the Festive Season

Christmas is here, and people and businesses around the globe are preparing to switch off, turn on their out-of-office replies, and spend quality time with loved ones. For some, this may mean travelling to different cities or even countries to celebrate.

While Christmas is a time for relaxing, indulging, and spreading festive cheer, cybercriminals see the holiday season as an opportunity. Businesses operating with skeleton staff, distracted employees, and increased online activity create a perfect storm for cyber attacks.

Whether it’s businesses shutting down operations or consumers shopping and sharing online, cyber risks spike during the festive period.

To help your policyholders stay safe this Christmas, we’ve compiled practical advice for businesses preparing for shutdown and individuals enjoying the festivities.

For Businesses: Preparing for Shutdown

1. Back-Up Critical Systems and Data
   Before shutting down, ensure all critical systems and data are securely backed up. Use offline storage or encrypted cloud solutions to protect against ransomware attacks that could strike while systems are unattended.
2. Update Software and Patches
   Cybercriminals exploit unpatched systems, and the holidays are no exception. Ensure operating systems, antivirus software, and firewalls are fully updated before closing for the break.
3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
   MFA adds an essential layer of security to systems and accounts. Ensure all employees and administrators have MFA enabled to prevent unauthorised access.
4. Secure Remote Access
   If remote desktop protocols (RDP) or VPNs are in use, ensure they are protected with strong passwords and MFA. Restrict access to known IPs where possible, and disable unused accounts to minimise entry points.
5. Educate Employees
   Staff awareness is crucial. Cybercriminals often take advantage of busy employees during the festive season through phishing scams, fake invoices, and fraudulent emails. Ensure employees are trained to spot these risks and report suspicious activity.
6. Set Up Monitoring Alerts
   Implement automated alerts to monitor unusual activity on your networks. Even when systems are largely offline, any suspicious attempts can be flagged and acted upon.
7. Plan for Incident Response
   Make sure your incident response plan is updated and accessible. Assign a contact person or team to respond to any cyber incidents over the break.
8. Check Breach Defence Intermittently
   Tools like Breach Defence can help keep an eye on things during the festive period. Simply log in periodically to check for leaked data, vulnerabilities, or hacker chatter that could pose a risk.

For Individuals: Staying Vigilant During the Festive Season

1. Watch Out for Holiday Phishing Scams
   With online shopping at its peak, scammers are more active than ever. Be wary of fake delivery notifications, refund emails, and too-good-to-be-true offers. Always verify messages before clicking links.
2. Secure Smart Devices
   Smart homes are convenient but can also be vulnerable. Update your IoT devices and set strong passwords.
3. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Transactions
   If you’re travelling, avoid using public Wi-Fi for online banking or shopping. Use a VPN to secure your connection on unfamiliar networks.
4. Check Passwords and Enable MFA
   Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and enable MFA wherever possible. If your credentials have been breached previously, now is the time to update them. Tools like Cyber Xpert can help identify compromised credentials.
5. Be Wary of Gift Card Scams
   Scammers frequently request gift cards as payments. Avoid any email or text requests to purchase gift cards, especially from unfamiliar contacts or impersonators.
6. Shop Securely Online
   Stick to trusted websites and verify that the site uses HTTPS in the address bar. Avoid deals shared via unverified emails or social media ads.
7. Protect Personal and Family Data
   Be mindful of what you share online. Oversharing travel plans, gift purchases, or personal details can attract cybercriminals looking to exploit this information.

Stay Protected with DynaRisk

At DynaRisk, we believe cybersecurity should be accessible to everyone – from businesses managing critical operations to individuals protecting their families.

We partner with insurers and financial service providers worldwide to offer tools that proactively identify risks and prevent attacks. Our solutions include a range of all-in-one cyber risk software tools alongside Cyber Support Helplines, FNOL Helplines and other Threat Intelligence services.

With DynaRisk, policyholders can enjoy peace of mind all year round, knowing their cyber risks are under control.

Help your policyholders stay cyber-safe this Christmas by sharing these tips.

For more information on how DynaRisk can support your business and customers, contact us at info@dynarisk.com or explore our website to learn more.