How to guard against the holiday cyberattack surge

Historical trends indicate a marked increase in cyberattacks during the holiday season. Cybercriminals take advantage of heightened online activity and digital transactions, using this busy period to target consumers with precision. However, it’s not just individual shoppers who are at risk — enterprises are equally vulnerable. In fact, recent research shows a staggering 550% surge in unique threats during this time of year.

Organizations become prime targets for a wide array of cyberattacks as the holidays approach. Among the most common are sophisticated phishing campaigns, where attackers impersonate trusted brands to deceive employees, as well as social engineering tactics designed to exploit vulnerabilities within corporate networks. Skimming attacks, which seek to harvest sensitive payment data from businesses, remain prevalent. Meanwhile, ransomware continues to be a significant threat, with reports indicating a 30% rise in the average number of ransomware incidents during the holidays compared to other months.