The holiday season brings excitement, travel plans, and—for many—online shopping sprees. But while spirits are high, so is cybercrime. Hackers know this time of year creates perfect conditions for data theft, phishing, and ransomware attacks—and everyone is a target, not just online shoppers.

From schools managing student data to small businesses running end-of-year operations, critical security measures can’t take a holiday. ‘Tis the season for careful attention to your professional and personal cybersecurity – at a time when most of us have longer to-do lists and more distractions than ever.

Keep reading for critical tips on Why Cyber Threats Spike During the Holidays and What to Do (especially Schools, SMBs and Shoppers) to defend your data.

This Time of Year is Especially Risky

Cybercriminals are strategic—they know when organizations are most distracted and least prepared. The holiday season creates ideal conditions for them to take advantage of reduced oversight and increased digital activity.

Here are just a few reasons this time of year is especially risky:

Lighter staffing levels in IT and administrative roles
Increased online transactions and digital communication
Travel and remote access that may bypass secure networks
End-of-year financial activity that can be intercepted

This is exactly why cybersecurity can’t be on autopilot during the holidays. Schools and businesses need layered protection, vigilant monitoring, and clear protocols in place to reduce risk when attention is elsewhere.

And while consumers need to remain diligent about protecting themselves from fake websites and phishing scams, organizations must be just as proactive—because one careless click from a staff member can lead to far more serious consequences than a compromised personal credit card.

For Schools: Student & Staff Data Are Prime Targets

Educational institutions like private or charter schools often assume they’re too small or unlikely target for cybercriminals—but attackers know better. Student records, staff credentials, and financial data are all valuable on the black market.

Key risks include:

Phishing emails disguised as holiday events, school closures, or donation drives
Compromised remote access from staff logging in offsite over break
Outdated systems that go unpatched during winter recess

What if: A school IT director heads out for winter break thinking everything is under control. A few days later, a staff member clicks on a convincing phishing email about a snow day schedule update. That one click opens the door to ransomware, and by the time anyone notices, key systems are locked, staff can’t access files, and recovery takes weeks—not to mention the cost and stress that come with it.

How to prepare:

Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all staff logins to prevent unauthorized access, even if passwords are compromised.
Partner with a Managed Detection & Response (MDR) provider to monitor for unusual activity and respond to threats—especially when your internal team is offline during breaks.
Ensure software and systems are kept up to date, including classroom devices, admin tools, and servers—automated updates are helpful, but they still need oversight.

Even short breaks in vigilance can open the door to costly attacks. Proactive security measures and staff awareness are key to keeping school data safe over the holidays.

For SMBs: Beware of Phishing and Payment Fraud

The combination of online shopping, vendor payments, and vacation schedules creates a storm of opportunity for cybercriminals. Invoices, order confirmations, and fake delivery notices are common phishing bait – and finance teams are often the first to fall into the trap.

Key risks include:

Business Email Compromise (BEC) targeting finance teams
Fraudulent invoices timed to blend into year-end activity
Stolen credentials from employees shopping online on work devices

This could be your company: An employee in accounting is covering for a colleague who’s out for the holidays. An email arrives with a subject line referencing a familiar vendor and an overdue invoice. In the rush to clear out tasks before the long weekend, they pay it—only to find out later it was a fake. The payment is gone, and so is the chance to recover it.

How to prepare:

Educate employees on how to spot phishing attempts, including fake emails, suspicious links, and urgent payment requests.
Implement content filtering tools to help with browsing risks by blocking access to risky or inappropriate websites and reducing exposure to malicious links.
Use a secure payment system that requires multiple approval workflows and validation steps to catch fraudulent or altered invoices.

During the holidays, speed and convenience often take priority—but that’s exactly when costly mistakes happen. A little extra scrutiny and security can prevent financial losses that hurt well into the new year.

For Everyone: The “Human Firewall” Is Your First Line of Defense

Cybersecurity is about more than tools—it’s about awareness. People are often the weakest link during the holidays, clicking quickly or letting their guard down.

That’s why cybersecurity training should be ongoing, with a seasonal reminder in November or December as part of your organization’s IT strategy.

And outside the office, the same habits matter. Whether shopping online at home or checking personal emails on work devices, smart digital behavior protects both individuals and organizations.

How to prepare:

Double-check links before clicking, as phishing scams often mimic trusted brands or familiar websites.
Avoid using work devices for personal shopping or holiday browsing, which can expose your organization to unnecessary risk.
Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords, rather than reusing the same ones across accounts.
Watch for fake shipping notifications or gift card offers, which are common tactics used to deliver malware during the holidays.

When people are more aware, systems stay safer. Whether you’re managing a network or just hunting for holiday deals, practicing good cybersecurity habits protects everyone—on and off the clock.

How Spera Partners Can Help

From schools preparing for winter break to businesses wrapping up Q4, we offer tailored cybersecurity solutions to keep you protected during high-risk times – and all the time.

Our services include:

24/7 network monitoring and threat detection (aka Managed Detection & Response, MDR)
Phishing simulations and employee training
Firewall and endpoint security updates
Secure remote access solutions
Incident response planning and backups

Conclusion: Don’t Let Hackers Crash the Holidays

As cyber threats ramp up during the holiday season, one of the most valuable gifts you can give your organization – and yourself – is peace of mind. Whether you’re running a school, managing a business, or just trying to wrap up your holiday shopping, a proactive cybersecurity plan ensures your team can focus on celebrating—not scrambling to recover from an avoidable breach. At Spera Partners, we’ll help you identify seasonal vulnerabilities, strengthen your defenses, and put the right protections in place before issues arise.

🎄 Ready to tighten your defenses before the holidays hit?
Schedule a security assessment with Brian today and make sure your systems are ready for a safe and secure season. Want to read more about protecting your business or school? Check out all of our blogs on cybersecurity.

Spera Partners

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