Protect your business before the holiday break: don’t leave the door open to cyberattacks

July 23, 2025

The office was almost empty, the systems had been shut down, and the atmosphere reflected the imminent summer break. Carlos, the manager of a small tech company, was carefully going over his final to-do list: notifications sent, billing up to date, systems disconnected, and “Out of Office” messages activated.

Everything seemed under control. But what he didn’t know was that, while his employees were logging off to enjoy the summer, a cybercriminal was logging in… to his corporate network. Taking advantage of an unpatched system and a weak password forgotten on an exposed server, the attacker gained access effortlessly. When Carlos returned weeks later, he found encrypted files, halted operations, and a ransom note in his inbox.

Every year, hundreds of companies let their guard down during the summer, unknowingly leaving “digital doors” open. For attackers, these moments of disconnection are golden opportunities. And the worst part is that many incidents aren’t discovered until it’s too late. How can you prevent your vacation from turning into a cyber crisis?

Real peace of mind starts when security is guaranteed and prioritized.

Keys to a cyber-secure business during the holidays

Access review and management

Limit permissions: Before leaving, review who has access to which systems and data. Temporarily disable accounts of employees who no longer work with you or who won’t need access during your absence.
Update critical passwords: Remember that passwords should not be shared, and vacation time is a good moment to reset them upon return. And of course, make sure everyone is using strong passwords paired with two-factor authentication.
Document access permissions: Keep an up-to-date log of all system access and privileges. In case of an incident, knowing who can access what is crucial.
Check system access: Make sure you have access to all your work tools and that you remember your credentials.

Automated backups

Verify your backups: Ensure that your automatic backup systems are working correctly and that data is being stored in a safe and isolated location (off the main work network, in the cloud, or on an encrypted external drive).
Test your recovery: What good is a backup if you can’t restore it? Run a small recovery test before leaving. It’ll give you peace of mind knowing you can recover your data if something goes wrong.
Keep offline copies: Consider creating a “cold” or offline backup of your most critical data, disconnected from the network. This adds protection against ransomware attacks that could also encrypt online backups.

System and software updates

Install all updates: Before closing, make sure all operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), applications (office tools, browsers, accounting software), and security tools (antivirus, firewall) are fully updated. Patches fix vulnerabilities that cybercriminals look to exploit.
Disable unused services: If there are services or apps that won’t be needed during your time off, deactivate them to reduce the attack surface.
System hardening: Strengthen your systems by hardening their configurations and following the principle of “least privilege.” Also, ensure antivirus solutions are in place to reinforce your security measures.

Remote monitoring and critical alerts

Set up alerts: If you have network or security monitoring systems, make sure that critical alerts are configured to be sent to a responsible person (yourself or a team member) even while you’re away.
Delegate responsibilities: Assign a point of contact (and a backup) who can respond to critical alerts or security incidents during your absence. Ensure they have all necessary information and access rights.
Contact lists for authorities and stakeholders: Keep a list handy in case you need to notify regulatory bodies or data protection authorities of any security or privacy-related incidents.

Staff awareness

Security best practices reminder: If some employees will keep working, remind them of essential Cyber Security practices—especially if working remotely (use of VPNs, avoiding public networks, etc.).
Holiday phishing attacks: Warn your team about the increase in phishing attempts during holidays, often disguised as emails from suppliers, banks, or even colleagues.
Security culture: Promote the development of a strong security culture across the company to proactively enhance employee readiness and foster a prevention-focused approach.

⚠️ Going on vacation doesn’t mean putting your business security on airplane mode. For entrepreneurs and small businesses, your absence could be the perfect window of opportunity for cybercriminals.

In a world where cyberattacks don’t take time off, protecting your business before the break isn’t optional—it’s a strategic priority.

Every preventive action—no matter how small—can make the difference between a peaceful holiday and a chaotic return.

And the best part is that it’s not just about technology, but also about culture, foresight, and accountability.

Because Cyber Security doesn’t take a vacation… and neither should you, without it.

Protect your business before the holiday break: don’t leave the door open to cyberattacks