Holiday cyber risks: 6 most targeted industries

Why cyber threats surge during the holiday season

The end-of-year holiday period creates a unique set of vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are quick to exploit. Several factors contribute to this annual spike in malicious activity, making it critical for IT departments to be on high alert.

Fewer IT/security staff on duty: With many employees on vacation, IT and security teams often operate with a skeleton crew. This reduced staffing can delay response times to security incidents, giving attackers a larger window to infiltrate networks and exfiltrate data.

Increase in holiday-themed phishing: Cybercriminals craft convincing phishing emails disguised as holiday greetings, shipping notifications, or special promotions. Employees are more likely to click on these malicious links during this busy time, inadvertently compromising their credentials or downloading malware.

Higher online transactions and system usage: The surge in online shopping and financial transactions puts immense pressure on IT systems. This heavy traffic can mask malicious activity, making it harder for security tools to detect anomalies and threats.

Legacy system downtime and delayed patching: Many organizations schedule system maintenance and patching during quieter periods. However, during the holidays, these essential tasks may be postponed, leaving legacy systems and unpatched software vulnerable to known exploits.

IoT and physical security gaps: As facilities operate with limited personnel, IoT devices and physical security systems can become weak points. Unsecured smart locks, cameras, and other connected devices can serve as entry points for attackers looking to gain access to the corporate network.

Industry-specific cyber risks this holiday season

While all businesses face increased threats during the holidays, certain industries are more attractive targets due to their operational models and the nature of their data. Here are the six industries most at risk and the specific threats they face.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector's reliance on Operational Technology (OT) and interconnected supply chains makes it a prime target for disruption during the holidays. A successful attack can halt production, leading to significant financial losses and reputational damage.

Ransomware targeting OT/ICS: Attackers often strike during planned shutdowns, deploying ransomware on Industrial Control Systems (ICS) to disrupt operations when fewer staff are on-site to respond.
Compromised supply chain vendors: Cybercriminals may target smaller, less secure vendors to gain a foothold in a manufacturer's network, exploiting trusted relationships to bypass defenses.
Phishing tied to shipping schedules or bonuses: Employees may be tricked by phishing emails that appear to be urgent updates about holiday shipping schedules or year-end bonus information.
Unpatched PLCs and legacy equipment: Many manufacturing facilities still use legacy equipment and unpatched Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), which can be easily exploited by attackers.

Education (K–12 and Higher Ed)

Educational institutions manage a vast amount of sensitive student and faculty data, making them lucrative targets. The transient nature of the student population and the use of personal devices create additional challenges.

Holiday-themed phishing: Attackers send phishing emails disguised as grade changes, spring semester schedule updates, or fake login portals for learning platforms to steal credentials.
Unsecured student devices: When students return from break, their personal laptops and mobile devices may be infected with malware, introducing threats to the campus network upon reconnection.
Attacks on learning platforms: Shared accounts and learning management systems (LMS) are frequently targeted, as a single compromised account can provide access to a wealth of sensitive information.
Physical security gaps: With campuses closed for the holidays, unattended buildings and labs can be vulnerable to physical breaches, leading to theft of equipment and data.

State and Local Government

Government agencies provide essential services, and any disruption can have far-reaching consequences for public safety and welfare. Attackers know that these organizations are often under-resourced and rely on legacy systems.

Attacks on critical services: During periods of low staffing, cybercriminals may launch attacks on 911 dispatch systems, water treatment facilities, and other critical utilities to cause maximum disruption.
Business Email Compromise (BEC): Phishing attacks often target procurement departments with fake invoices for year-end purchases, attempting to divert funds to fraudulent accounts.
Ransomware hitting legacy systems: Many government agencies still operate on outdated systems that are no longer supported by vendors, making them highly susceptible to ransomware attacks.
DDoS attacks on service portals: Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks can overwhelm critical service portals, preventing citizens from accessing essential information and services.

Logistics and Transportation

The holiday season is the busiest time for logistics and transportation companies. The pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines can lead to security oversights, creating opportunities for cybercriminals.

Disruptions to core systems: Attacks on Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems can cripple operations during the peak shipping season.
Fake delivery notices: Cybercriminals send out mass phishing campaigns with fake delivery notifications and carrier spoofing to trick recipients into revealing personal information or downloading malware.
IoT compromises: Telematics systems in vehicles and IoT scanners in warehouses can be compromised, allowing attackers to track shipments or gain access to the network.
Credential stuffing on driver apps: Attackers use stolen credentials from other breaches to gain unauthorized access to driver applications, potentially rerouting shipments or stealing sensitive data.

Property Management

The property management industry handles a significant amount of personally identifiable information (PII) from tenants. The increasing use of smart building technology also introduces new security risks.

Exploited smart building IoT: Smart locks, security cameras, and other building IoT devices can be exploited if not properly secured, providing attackers with physical or network access.
Holiday leasing scams: Scammers may create fake listings or compromise resident portals to trick prospective tenants into paying deposits for non-existent properties.
Ransomware on management platforms: A successful ransomware attack on a property management SaaS platform can lock up tenant data, rent rolls, and financial records.
Exposure of tenant PII: Holiday promotions and online leasing applications can expose sensitive tenant information if not handled with robust security measures.

Insurance

The insurance industry is a treasure trove of financial and personal data. During the holidays, attackers exploit the increase in online shopping and financial transactions to commit fraud.

Claims fraud: Cybercriminals use credentials stolen during holiday shopping breaches to file fraudulent insurance claims.
Account takeovers: Credential stuffing attacks target online policyholder accounts, allowing attackers to access sensitive information and make unauthorized changes.
Attacks on underwriting systems: Attackers may target underwriting and claims processing systems to manipulate data or disrupt core business operations.
Social engineering: Phishing attacks and other social engineering tactics are used to target agents and brokers, aiming to gain access to the broader insurance network.

How to strengthen cyber resilience before the holidays

Proactive preparation is the key to defending against holiday cyber threats. By taking a few critical steps before the season begins, organizations can significantly reduce their risk exposure.

Conduct pre-holiday vulnerability scanning: Identify and patch vulnerabilities in your systems, applications, and network devices before attackers can exploit them. Prioritize critical assets and systems that are essential for business continuity.

Enable 24x7 monitoring during downtime: Ensure you have continuous monitoring in place, especially during weekends and holidays when staffing is low. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services can provide the round-the-clock coverage needed to detect and respond to threats in real time.

Reinforce security awareness training: Remind employees about the risks of holiday-themed phishing and social engineering attacks. Conduct short training sessions or send out security bulletins with clear examples of what to watch out for.

Tighten identity and access controls: Enforce the principle of least privilege to ensure employees only have access to the data and systems they need to perform their jobs. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all critical applications to prevent unauthorized access.

Secure IoT and physical security systems: Audit all connected devices, including security cameras, smart locks, and HVAC systems. Change default passwords, update firmware, and segment these devices from the main corporate network.

Validate backup and recovery plans: Test your backup and recovery procedures to ensure you can restore critical data and systems quickly in the event of a ransomware attack or other data loss incident.

Protect your organization this holiday season

With proactive planning, continuous monitoring, and modern cyber defenses, you can ensure business continuity and protect your organization from the growing wave of holiday threats. Don't wait for an incident to occur. Take the necessary steps now to secure your systems, data, and people.