Holiday Cyber Security Checklist: 5 Essential Checks Before Your Business Closes
The holiday season is a time for businesses to slow down, but cyber threats do not take a break.
With fewer staff available, reduced IT oversight and an increase in holiday-related scams, Australian businesses need to make sure their systems, data and operations remain secure throughout the shutdown period.
Before your team switches off, take a few minutes to review these five essential cyber security checks.
5 Essential Cyber Security Checks
- Secure Your Accounts and Access: Review user permissions, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) and disable unnecessary accounts to reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
- Update Your Systems and Verify Backups: Apply critical security updates and confirm your backups are running correctly, securely stored and tested for recovery.
- Stay Alert to Holiday Scams: Remind employees to verify suspicious emails, unexpected invoices and urgent payment requests, particularly when key decision-makers are away.
- Ensure Continuous Security Monitoring: Cyber threats can occur at any time, including weekends and public holidays. Make sure your systems are monitored and security alerts can be investigated and addressed promptly.
- Prepare Your Incident Response Plan: Confirm emergency contacts, escalation procedures and incident response responsibilities so your team knows what to do if a cyber security incident occurs.
Your Team Takes a Break. Your Security Shouldn’t.
Effective cyber security requires more than preventative measures. Continuous monitoring and timely incident response are essential for reducing business risk, especially during periods of reduced staffing.
ITConnexion’s 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC) provides continuous security monitoring, threat detection and incident response support to help businesses maintain visibility over potential threats, even outside regular business hours.
Is your business ready for the holiday shutdown?
Contact ITConnexion to discuss your cyber security requirements and how our managed security services can support your business.
