It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Unless, of course, you’re a business owner. Then it might feel more like the most stressful time of the year. This is something that hackers have been taking advantage of. They know that businesses are busy during the holidays and tend to let their guard down.
Here, we will discuss why hacking increases during the holidays and some steps companies can take to protect themselves. Finally, we’ll explain how a managed IT service provider can help your business stay protected from cybercriminals.
Why Does Hacking Increase During the Holidays?
During the holiday season, many businesses are closed or understaffed – leaving a window of opportunity for hackers to take advantage. Additionally, as people spend more money online and transactions spike, companies become more vulnerable and are a bigger target for cyber-attacks.
What Threats are More Prevalent Over the Holidays?
Hackers have become increasingly sophisticated, utilizing a variety of methods to gain access to confidential information. Phishing is one such attack. Phishing is where hackers send emails that appear to be from reputable sources to lure people into entering their personal information or downloading malware. 91% of cyber attacks start with a phishing email.
Other threats include malicious websites and ransomware attacks. With all the money being spent and emails being sent and received during the holidays, businesses have to be on their guard against these threats more than ever.
What Steps Can You Take to Protect Yourself from Cyber Attacks Over the Holidays?
Here are some steps that your business can take to protect itself from cyberattacks this holiday season:
- Stay up-to-date: keeping up-to-date on the latest security measures and technology will help you to protect your systems against malicious attacks
- Educate Employees: companies should also educate their employees about cyber threats and develop a plan of action in case of a data breach
- Data Backup: it is important for businesses to regularly back up their data to minimize the impact of a cyberattack
- Managed IT Support: Hire a managed IT service provider that can help you protect your business against a data breach
How can a Managed IT Service Provider Help?
A managed IT service provider will be able to monitor your systems and detect any suspicious activity. They will also be able to deploy appropriate measures, such as firewalls and anti-malware software, to protect your systems from potential cyber-attacks.
Additionally, an IT service provider can help you develop an incident response plan and provide ongoing education for your employees about the latest security threats.
Protect Your Business With the Right Managed IT Service Provider—RedNight Consulting
Here at RedNight Consulting, we let you focus on your business while we work to make it better through our managed IT services. With backup services, constant patches and upgrades, 24/7 security and monitoring, and efficient user support—we make sure your IT needs are met while helping your business succeed and save you money.
The holiday season is not just a busy time for businesses—it’s also a busy time for hackers. Contact our experts today and they will ensure that your business is protected from the latest cyber threats, making sure you have the right support and protective systems in place.