Executive Summary
- Cyber risks rise over Christmas because offices are quieter, staff are distracted, and scammers know it.
- Common festive threats include fake delivery emails, invoice scams, and unsecured home working.
- Simple steps like enabling multi-factor authentication and checking backups can make a big difference.
- Advanced tools such as BDR (Breach Detection and Response) help spot suspicious login activity early.
- Get Support IT Services can monitor systems, update security tools, and give you peace of mind over the Christmas period.
Introduction
Christmas is a magical time for most UK businesses. The office slows down, staff head off for a well-earned break, and there’s a buzz of festive cheer. But while you’re enjoying mince pies and Secret Santa, cyber criminals are working overtime.
Why? Because the Christmas period creates the perfect storm for cyber attacks. Offices are quieter, responses are slower, and people are distracted by last posting dates and online shopping deals. For small and medium-sized businesses, this can mean increased risk at exactly the time you want to relax.
In this article, we’ll explain why cyber risk goes up at Christmas, the threats to watch out for, and the practical steps you can take to keep your business safe.
Why Cyber Risk Increases at Christmas for SMEs
Here’s why the festive season is prime time for cyber criminals:
- Reduced staffing and slower responses: With fewer people in the office, suspicious activity can go unnoticed.
- More phishing emails: Scammers send fake delivery notifications, charity appeals, and Christmas offers to lure clicks.
- Distracted staff: People are rushing to finish work, using personal devices, or working from home.
- Temporary staff and outsourcing: Extra hands can mean weaker security practices.
Mini Scenario: Imagine your finance team gets an email marked “URGENT: Invoice for Christmas order” just as they’re heading out for the office party. It looks genuine, but it’s a scam. With no one around to double-check, the payment could go straight to a criminal.
Key Festive Season Threats to Watch Out For
1. Fake Delivery and Order Emails
What it is: Emails pretending to be from Royal Mail, DPD, or Amazon asking you to click a link or pay a fee.
Why it’s worse at Christmas: Everyone’s expecting parcels, so staff are more likely to click.
What to do:
- Remind staff never to click links in unexpected emails.
- Check delivery updates directly on official websites.
- Use email filtering to block known scam domains.
2. Gift Card and Invoice Scams
What it is: Criminals impersonate a manager asking for urgent gift card purchases or invoice payments.
Why it’s worse at Christmas: Secret Santa and festive spending make these requests seem normal.
What to do:
- Have a clear process for approving payments.
- Train staff to verify requests by phone or in person.
- Enable multi-factor authentication on email accounts.
3. Unsecured Home Working
What it is: Staff working remotely on personal devices or public Wi-Fi without proper security.
Why it’s worse at Christmas: People travel, work from relatives’ homes, or use laptops in cafés.
What to do:
- Ensure devices have up-to-date antivirus and security patches.
- Remind staff to avoid public Wi-Fi or use a VPN.
- Limit access to sensitive systems from unmanaged devices.
4. Weak Passwords and Shared Logins
What it is: Staff share passwords or use simple ones when covering for colleagues.
Why it’s worse at Christmas: People cover for each other during holidays and take shortcuts.
What to do:
- Enforce strong password policies.
- Enable multi-factor authentication for key systems.
- Review who has admin access before the break.
- Consider ITDR tools like Huntress to monitor for suspicious login activity and alert you before a breach occurs.
5. Ransomware and Malware from Dodgy Downloads
What it is: Malicious software hidden in fake apps, festive screensavers, or “special offer” websites.
Why it’s worse at Christmas: Staff are more likely to download freebies or shop online at work.
What to do:
- Block access to risky websites.
- Keep security software updated.
- Remind staff to stick to trusted sources for downloads.
- Ensure you have an enterprise grade EDR product like SentinelOne
A Simple Christmas Cyber Checklist for your business
Here’s a quick list you can run through in your next team meeting:
- Confirm who is on call for IT issues over the break.
- Remind staff how to report suspicious emails.
- Make sure multi-factor authentication is switched on for key systems.
- Check backups are working and test a restore.
- Review who has admin access before people go on leave.
- Update all devices with the latest security patches.
- Use BDR tools to monitor for unusual login activity during the Christmas period.
How Get Support IT Services Can Help
At Get Support, we know Christmas should be stress-free. That’s why we offer:
- 24/7 monitoring so your systems stay secure even when the office is closed.
- Regular updates to keep your security tools current.
- Staff awareness training and phishing simulations to reduce risk.
- Advanced identity protection with Breach Detection & Response from Huntress to spot suspicious login behaviour and stop identity-based attacks before they escalate.
- Clear response plans so you know exactly what to do if something goes wrong.
Want peace of mind this Christmas? Book a short discovery call, request a cyber health check, or just get in touch for a friendly chat about your setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Small businesses are often easier targets because they have fewer resources for security. Cyber criminals know this, so SMEs are very much on their radar.
Enable multi-factor authentication on all key systems. It’s quick, effective, and stops most account takeover attempts.
Send a short email with three key tips: watch for fake delivery emails, verify payment requests, and report anything suspicious. Keep it simple and festive.
No. Insurance helps with recovery costs, but it won’t prevent an attack or protect your reputation. Good security is still essential.
Disconnect the device from the network, report it immediately, and contact your IT support. The faster you act, the less damage is likely.