The holiday season brings joy and relaxation – but for cybercriminals, it’s the perfect time to strike.
As directors and councillors, safeguarding your organisation’s digital infrastructure during this vulnerable period is critical to ensuring operational resilience and maintaining trust with your stakeholders.
At Stellar, we understand the unique challenges faced by boards and councils during the festive period. In this blog, we’ll explore the key cybersecurity threats to be aware of and proactive measures your organisation can take to stay protected.
Why the holiday season is prime time for cyber attacks:
- High chances of ransomware success. The number of attempted attacks increases as cybercriminals know companies are more willing to pay a ransom during the holiday season to avoid disrupting operations. In combination with IT teams operating at limited capacity, ransomware attacks can go undetected longer.
- People are preoccupied. Cybercriminals know that people are in a rush to complete tasks before the year wraps up, it’s all too easy for employees to miss signs of a cyber attack or forget about cyber hygiene.
- Increased effectiveness of phishing attacks. With people already receiving increased numbers of promotional emails, cybercriminals exploit this by disguising themselves as credible sources.
- Unsecured remote access. Employees working remotely or on the move may use unsecured networks, exposing your systems to breaches.
Proactive steps to bolster holiday cybersecurity
Directors and councillors play a crucial role in fostering a culture of vigilance and preparedness. Here’s how to take the lead this festive season:
1. Implement a holiday cybersecurity action plan
Encourage your IT teams to conduct a comprehensive review of existing cybersecurity protocols and ensure all systems are up to date with the latest security patches. This includes verifying the security of remote access systems, ensuring firewalls are configured correctly, and reviewing access permissions to confirm that only authorised personnel have entry to sensitive data.
In addition, prepare an incident response plan tailored for the holidays, including designated points of contact and predefined steps for mitigating various types of attacks. Communicate this plan to key stakeholders, so everyone understands their role.
2 . Increase awareness with targeted training
Conduct refresher training sessions to remind staff of common holiday scams and phishing tactics. Tailor these sessions to reflect real-world scenarios, such as fraudulent emails posing as holiday promotions or charity appeals.
Empower your team to recognise and report suspicious activity by establishing clear reporting channels and fostering a culture where employees feel comfortable flagging potential issues. Highlight the importance of vigilance, particularly when accessing work systems remotely or using personal devices, and emphasise the role each individual plays in maintaining organisational security.
3. Strengthen authentication protocols
Mandate two-factor authentication (2FA) for all remote logins and high-level systems access.
Two-factor authentication requires users to submit two or more verification factors to gain access, making it much harder for attackers to obtain unauthorised access, even if they have manipulated a user into revealing one set of credentials.
4. Utilise Stellar’s offline capability
If you’re heading off the beaten track, make sure you are making the most of Stellar’s offline feature.
Stellar’s offline feature allows users to work on Stellar without an internet connection. You can read documents, make annotations and keep working without reliance on potentially unsecured networks.
Learn how to make the most of Stellar’s offline feature here.
Final words on protecting your organisation during the festive season
The festive season may bring unique cybersecurity challenges, but with proactive planning and a culture of vigilance, your organisation can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. By implementing robust measures, such as a tailored action plan, targeted training, and enhanced authentication protocols, you can ensure that your digital infrastructure remains secure during this critical period.
At Stellar, we’re committed to supporting directors and councillors in navigating these challenges. By leveraging tools like Stellar’s two-factor authentication, offline capability and fostering strong cybersecurity practices, you can safeguard your operations and maintain trust with your stakeholders.
Take charge this holiday season—protect your organisation and enjoy peace of mind knowing your cybersecurity measures are in place.
Get in touch if you need any additional support to keep your sensitive information secure here.