Don’t Let Cyber Grinches Crash Your Thanksgiving: How to Protect Your Business During Holiday Downtime
Thanksgiving week is one of the most high-risk periods of the year for cyberattacks. With teams out of office, limited security oversight, and businesses running on reduced staff, attackers see the holiday as the perfect time to strike.
Why Cyberattacks Surge Over Thanksgiving
Studies show that ransomware, phishing attempts, and unauthorized access attempts rise dramatically during the week of Thanksgiving. Hackers take advantage of:
- Lower staffing levels.
- Reduced monitoring.
- Employees traveling and using unsecure networks.
- Weakened oversight of remote access.
Common Cyberthreats During Holiday Downtime
- MFA fatigue attacks.
- VPN brute-force attempts.
- Phishing emails disguised as holiday messages.
- Ransomware launched after offices close.
Your Pre-Thanksgiving Cybersecurity Checklist
- Update all operating systems and security patches.
- Confirm backups are recent and verified.
- Enforce MFA across all accounts.
- Limit admin access during the holiday week.
- Ensure SOC/XDR monitoring is active 24/7.
- Schedule automated alerts for unusual activity.
Secure Remote Access for Traveling Employees
Employees traveling for the holiday often connect on airport WiFi or untrusted networks. Encourage staff to:
- Use a company-approved VPN.
- Avoid public WiFi whenever possible.
- Enable MFA on all business applications.
How Accellis Keeps You Protected During Holidays
Our team of experts can get your business protected during holiday downtime. With 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, and rapid response capabilities, we ensure your systems stay secure — even when your team is offline. Don’t let cyber grinches ruin your Thanksgiving. Preparing ahead of time is the easiest way to keep your business safe during the holiday break. Reach out today!
