Is remote work putting your business at risk this holiday season?

As the holidays approach, many employees choose to work remotely so they can spend time with family or enjoy a change of scenery. But while many workers’ schedules slow down at this time, cybercriminal activity doesn’t. In fact, cyberattacks often rise during this period because businesses operate with smaller teams, and security vigilance tends to dip.

Below is a practical guide you can share with staff in anticipation of remote work arrangements. It covers the threats that commonly flare up during holiday travel and the simple steps that keep data, devices, and customer trust intact.

Key takeaways

  • Cyberattacks spike during holidays due to reduced staffing and weaker monitoring.
  • The biggest risks include phishing, DDoS attacks, unsafe Wi-Fi, and device theft.
  • Remote workers should use VPNs, cellular data, and strong access controls.
  • Regular software updates and endpoint management are essential for security.
  • SMBs can minimize exposure by preparing policies and incident response plans before staff travel.

What cyberthreats are more prominent during the holidays?

During the holidays, a wide range of cyberthreats become more prominent due to reduced staffing and weaker monitoring. The most common threats include:

Holiday-themed phishing

Attackers disguise malicious emails with festive themes such as gift card “rewards,” shipping updates, and fake charity drives. These messages often imitate well-known brands or company workflows to trick employees into clicking harmful links that download malware-laden attachments or lure employees to share sensitive information.

Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks

Online services experience heavy traffic during the holidays, making them prime targets for DDoS attacks. Attackers flood websites or remote access systems with bogus traffic, overwhelming servers and causing downtime. While the system is down, they may attempt to breach internal systems or steal sensitive data.

Unsecure Wi-Fi and eavesdropping

Public Wi-Fi in airports, cafes, and hotels often lacks proper encryption and cybersecurity measures; many aren’t even encrypted at all. Cybercriminals can trawl these networks, intercepting traffic and stealing sensitive information. Once connected, an employee’s device becomes an easy target for monitoring, credential theft, or malware injection. In some cases, cybercriminals may even set up fake public Wi-Fi hotspots to gain direct access to user devices. 

Loss or theft of company devices

Traveling increases the risk of misplaced or stolen laptops, tablets, and phones.If these devices contain sensitive data or stay logged in to work accounts, a theft can trigger a data breach. That breach could expose the company’s confidential information. 

Malicious charging stations

Public USB charging stations can be altered to install malware or steal data when a device is plugged in. Attackers exploit the fact that USB cables transmit both power and data. They use the connection to access files or credentials and install unknown software without the user realizing it.

Data breaches on travel sites

Airline, hotel, and booking sites often collect vast amounts of personal information and payment details. If one of these platforms experiences a breach, stolen login credentials could expose business systems. This risk increases if employees reuse passwords. 

AI-augmented scams

With advances in AI, attackers are able to generate realistic company emails or deepfaked audio that mimics a company executive. These seemingly authentic messages will often trick employees to share data or approve payments. Because AI-generated content can closely imitate tone, style, and speech patterns, it’s becoming harder to tell what’s AI-written from what isn’t.

How can employees protect company data while working remotely during the holidays?

To keep company data secure, employees must take extra precautions and implement the following best practices while working remotely during the holiday season. 

  • Use cellular data or personal hotspots: Private network connections reduce exposure to interception, keeping company information confined to secure, controlled channels.
  • Enable virtual private networks (VPNs): A VPN encrypts communication between remote devices and company systems, preserving confidentiality and compliance standards even on less trusted networks.
  • Avoid public charging ports: Relying on personal chargers or portable power banks eliminates unnecessary contact with unknown hardware, minimizing the chance of hidden data access.
  • Keep software updated: Strengthen your security posture by regularly patching software updates. These updates close down vulnerabilities before cybercriminals can exploit them.
  • Verify before responding: Check the legitimacy of messages or requests to help prevent social engineering attacks.
  • Keep devices secured: Always lock your screen when stepping away. Use strong passcodes on all your devices. Finally, avoid leaving laptops or phones unattended in public areas.

A quick checklist for managers before the team travels

Business leaders can reduce holiday risk by strengthening policies and preparing systems before employees travel. Follow this checklist to keep your employees and your company safe: 

  • unchecked Install a centralized endpoint management solution so IT teams can locate, lock, or wipe devices remotely.
  • unchecked Apply conditional access restrictions based on employee roles, location, time, and device status.
  • unchecked Integrate multifactor authentication across all systems to prevent unauthorized logins.
  • unchecked Activate next-generation firewalls and network monitoring tools to maintain uptime and prevent disruptions during high-traffic periods.
  • unchecked Review and update incident response procedures so staff know exactly who to contact and what steps to take if a breach occurs.
  • unchecked Only give employees granular access to files in order to reduce the likelihood of accidental edits or misuse of permissions.
  • unchecked Mandate password managers and unique credentials to strengthen company-wide authentication practices.
  • unchecked Provide pre-travel security training to help employees recognize threats, follow company protocols, and stay alert while working remotely.
  • unchecked Communicate clear travel security guidelines reminding employees to use VPNs, avoid public Wi-Fi, and report suspicious messages promptly.

Bring it all together with expert support

Building a secure remote work environment during the holidays takes more than strong passwords and good habits. It requires structure, consistency, and ongoing oversight. From implementing access controls to preparing incident response plans, every safeguard works best when guided by a cohesive cybersecurity strategy.Interplay IT helps businesses integrate these protections seamlessly, so remote teams can work confidently wherever the holidays take them. Contact us today to strengthen your cybersecurity this holiday season and beyond.