Cyberattacks tend to increase during holidays, experts warn

Source: National Mortgage News

Cybersecurity experts caution that holidays and weekends are high-risk periods for cyberattacks, particularly ransomware. Threat actors often exploit reduced staffing and focus during these times, targeting organizations when their defenses are likely at their weakest. Past data has shown significant increases in attacks during November and December compared to early in the year, with many incidents beginning as malicious emails that escalate to more sophisticated breaches.

86% of organizations that experienced a ransomware attack were targeted on a weekend or holiday. The report was based on a survey of 900 IT and security professionals at companies in various sectors (Source: Semperis)

Reports highlight that ransomware attacks frequently occur after major corporate events, such as mergers or layoffs, with the financial sector being particularly vulnerable. Organizations are urged to remain vigilant, employing robust defenses like strong passwords, multifactor authentication, and software updates, alongside proactive threat-hunting strategies, including analyzing data logs for anomalies and deploying honeytokens to detect unauthorized access.

Businesses are also encouraged to educate customers about safe online practices during the holidays, as increased shopping, travel, and charitable activities create more opportunities for cybercriminals. Awareness and preparation are key to mitigating these seasonal cybersecurity risks.