As the holiday season approaches, U.S. companies and critical infrastructure providers are on high alert for potential cyberattacks. Threat actors often exploit periods when IT security teams are understaffed or distracted, such as during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Increased Vulnerability During Holidays

A recent report by Semperis highlights that nearly 90% of organizations targeted by ransomware in the past year were attacked at night or over weekends, times when IT security staffing is typically reduced. Additionally, about two-thirds of these organizations faced attacks following major corporate events like restructurings, layoffs, IPOs, or mergers, which can divert attention and resources.

Challenges for Security Teams

Security operations teams are already under significant stress, managing compliance demands from federal and state governments amid economic concerns such as potential recessions and inflation. This environment contributes to alert fatigue and burnout, making it challenging to effectively monitor and respond to threats.

Evolving Work Environments and Perimeter Security

The shift to hybrid work models has dissolved traditional network perimeters. Employees now access corporate systems remotely, often during off-hours, increasing the attack surface for cybercriminals. Organizations that have not practiced incident response may find themselves unprepared when real attacks occur.

Historical Precedents of Holiday Attacks

Past incidents underscore the heightened risk during holiday periods:

  • The MOVEit attack spree by the Clop ransomware group occurred during Memorial Day 2023.
  • The 2021 ransomware attack against Kaseya took place over the July 4 weekend.
  • The ransomware attack on meat supplier JBS happened during Memorial Day 2021.
  • In 2023, Staples was targeted in a ransomware attack during the critical Cyber Week period.

Retail Sector's Unique Challenges

The retail industry faces specific challenges during the holiday season, particularly around Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Preparation typically begins in late summer and involves robust planning, advanced threat detection tools, and cross-functional collaboration. Retailers often implement provisions to ensure coverage through incentives and on-call staff availability.

Proactive Measures for Organizations

To mitigate the risk of cyberattacks during the holiday season, organizations should:

  • Enhance Monitoring: Increase vigilance during periods when staffing is reduced.
  • Conduct Incident Response Drills: Regularly practice response plans to ensure readiness.
  • Educate Employees: Raise awareness about the increased risk of phishing and other social engineering attacks during holidays.
  • Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Strengthen access controls to prevent unauthorized access.

By proactively addressing these challenges, organizations can better protect themselves against the heightened cyber threats that accompany the holiday season.