The holiday season is a time for celebration and relaxation – but for cybercriminals, it’s also a prime opportunity to strike. With many organisations operating with reduced staff and attention divided, the risk of cyber attacks significantly increases.

As directors, protecting your organisation’s digital infrastructure during this vulnerable period is essential for maintaining operational resilience and preserving stakeholder trust.

At Stellar, we understand the heightened cybersecurity risks boards face over the holidays. In this blog, we’ll outline the key threats to be aware of and share practical steps to help keep your organisation secure.

Why Cybercriminals Target the Holiday Season

Higher Ransomware Success Rates
During the festive period, the chances of ransomware attacks succeeding increase. With IT teams operating at limited capacity, breaches may go undetected longer. Cybercriminals exploit this by launching attacks when companies are more likely to pay ransoms quickly to avoid operational disruption.

Employee Distraction and Preoccupation
With employees eager to wrap up work before the holidays, they may be less vigilant. This creates an environment where phishing emails or suspicious activity may be overlooked.

More Effective Phishing Campaigns
The influx of promotional holiday emails makes it easier for cybercriminals to mask phishing attempts. Fraudulent messages disguised as holiday offers or charity appeals become harder to spot.

Insecure Remote Access
Staff working remotely during the holidays may connect to unsecured public networks, putting your organisation at risk. Unprotected connections increase the likelihood of unauthorised access.

Four Proactive Steps to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity

As a director fostering a culture of vigilance is key. Here’s how to lead the charge in protecting your organisation during the holiday season:

 

1. Establish a Holiday Cybersecurity Action Plan

Work with your IT team to review and strengthen existing cybersecurity protocols before the holiday break. Ensure:

• All systems are updated with the latest security patches.

• Remote access systems are secure and properly configured.

• Access permissions are reviewed and restricted to authorised personnel only.

Additionally, develop a tailored incident response plan specifically for the holiday period. This should include clear points of contact, defined steps for mitigating different attack types, and communication protocols. Ensure all relevant stakeholders are familiar with the plan.

 

2. Run Targeted Cybersecurity Training

Before staff head off for the holidays, conduct refresher training sessions. These should:

• Highlight common seasonal threats, such as phishing scams disguised as holiday promotions.

• Use real-world examples to make the training relatable and memorable.

• Encourage staff to remain vigilant when working remotely or using personal devices.

Promote a culture where employees feel comfortable reporting suspicious activity. Clear reporting channels and regular reminders will help your team stay alert.

3. Enhance Authentication Protocols

Reinforce access security by mandating two-factor authentication (2FA) for all remote logins and sensitive systems.

2FA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring two forms of verification – making it significantly harder for attackers to gain unauthorised access, even if they obtain a user’s credentials.

 

4. Leverage Stellar’s Offline Capability

If you’re travelling over the holidays or heading somewhere with unreliable internet, make use of Stellar’s offline feature.

This functionality allows you to:

• Access and review board papers without an internet connection.

• Make annotations and take notes while offline.

• Automatically sync changes once you reconnect, ensuring no data is lost.

Working offline reduces reliance on unsecured networks, keeping your sensitive information safe wherever you are.

Staying Secure Over the Festive Season

While the holidays present unique cybersecurity risks, proactive planning and strong security measures will help safeguard your organisation. By implementing a dedicated action plan, boosting staff awareness, and reinforcing authentication protocols, you can reduce vulnerabilities during this period.

At Stellar, we’re committed to helping directors and councillors navigate these challenges. With tools like two-factor authentication and offline capabilities, you can confidently protect your organisation’s sensitive data and maintain stakeholder trust.

Want additional support to strengthen your board’s cybersecurity? Get in touch to learn more.