The holiday season is a time for online shopping sprees, travel plans, and a flurry of digital communication. Unfortunately, it’s also prime time for Phishing Attacks — one of the most prevalent and damaging forms of cybercrime. With attention divided and urgency heightened, both individuals and businesses become easier targets for cybercriminals. These attackers use deceptive emails, messages, and fake websites to steal sensitive information or deploy malware.
8 Steps to Safeguard your Network and Employees this Holiday Season
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Educate Employees on Holiday-Themed Scams
Awareness is your strongest defense. Take time to remind employees about common holiday phishing tactics, such as:
- Fake shipping updates from carriers like UPS, FedEx, or Amazon.
- Fraudulent gift card promotions or “exclusive discounts.”
- Impersonation of executives or vendors requesting urgent payments or sensitive data.
- Charity scams posing as reputable organizations.
Train employees to think twice before clicking on links or attachments, especially those that create a sense of urgency or excitement. Encourage them to report to suspicious emails to management.
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Upgrade Your Email Security
Basic spam filters aren’t enough to stop sophisticated phishing attempts. Strengthen your email defenses by:
- Using advanced email security gateways with real-time URL scanning.
- Enabling DMARC, SPF, and DKIM protocols to verify sender authenticity.
- Deploying AI-powered tools to detect suspicious language patterns.
- Quarantining emails from unknown or newly registered domains for manual review.
These measures can significantly reduce the number of malicious emails reaching your team.
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Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Even if a phishing attack compromises a password, MFA provides an additional layer of security. Require MFA for all logins, especially for cloud services, VPNs, and email accounts. Opt for app-based authenticators over SMS codes, which are more vulnerable to interception.
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Keep Systems and Software Up to Date
Unpatched vulnerabilities are a common entry point for cybercriminals. Protect your network by ensuring:
- Operating systems, browsers, and plugins are fully updated.
- Email clients and antivirus software have real-time protection enabled.
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools are in place to identify suspicious activity.
Regular updates and monitoring can minimize the risk of malware spreading through phishing links or attachments.
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Conduct Phishing Simulations
Simulated phishing campaigns are a great way to test your team’s readiness. Run these exercises before and during the holiday season to identify employees who may be more susceptible to phishing. Provide immediate feedback and tailor training for high-risk departments like finance, HR, and customer service.
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Monitor Network Activity
Not all phishing attacks target users directly — some go after your systems. Continuous monitoring can help detect and mitigate these threats early.
- Deploy Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS).
- Use Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools to analyze logs.
- Set up alerts for unusual login attempts or abnormal data transfers.
Quick detection is key to minimizing potential damage.
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Prepare an Incident Response Plan
Even with the best defenses, phishing attacks can still happen. A well-defined incident response plan ensures your team can act quickly and effectively. Make sure employees know:
- How to report suspicious emails immediately.
- Whom to contact if they accidentally click on a malicious link.
- The steps IT and security teams will take to isolate and investigate compromised accounts.
Regularly test and update your plan to ensure it’s ready when needed.
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Foster a Security-First Culture
The holiday season can be stressful, and mistakes are more likely when people are rushed. Create a no-blame culture where employees feel comfortable reporting phishing attempts or accidental clicks. This openness allows your IT team to respond quickly and prevent further issues.
Get a Holiday Security Strategy in Place Right Now
Phishing attacks thrive during the holidays by exploiting trust, urgency, and distraction. By combining employee education, strong authentication, robust email security, and vigilant monitoring, your organization can significantly reduce its risk.
Schedule a FREE Cybersecurity Assessment with My Resource Partners. We use the most highly credentialed cybersecurity engineers in the nation who can quickly identify areas where your email security and infrastructure are vulnerable. Our advisors will recommend employee training strategies as well as connecting you with cybersecurity providers who can quickly deploy tools to secure your environment.
