The holiday season brings a lot of excitement and a fair amount of chaos. Between last-minute projects, travel schedules, and end-of-year deadlines, it’s easy for technology maintenance to slip through the cracks. Unfortunately, cybercriminals know that December is one of the best times to strike.
The good news is that a little preparation can keep your business protected and running smoothly. Here’s a practical checklist from the Fidelis team to help you safeguard your systems and avoid disruptions during the busy holiday season.
1. Update and patch before things get busy
Before your team starts signing off for the holidays, make sure all systems are up to date. Old software versions and delayed patches can create vulnerabilities that attackers look for. Confirm that your operating systems, business applications, and security tools are current.
If there are systems that constantly cause frustration, add them to your early 2026 improvement list. Proactive upgrades now can prevent major headaches later.
2. Strengthen passwords and enable multifactor authentication
Simple or reused passwords make it easier for cybercriminals to get in. Strengthen your defenses by enforcing unique, complex passwords across the company. Multifactor authentication adds another layer of protection, making it harder for unauthorized users to gain access even if a password is compromised.
Apply this protection anywhere important work happens, such as email, accounting systems, and cloud platforms.
3. Back up your data and test your restore process
Data loss can happen for many reasons, including power outages, accidental deletion, or cyberattacks. Reliable backups ensure your company can recover quickly if something goes wrong.
Equally important is testing those backups. Make sure files open correctly and systems can be restored without delay. A quick test today can save hours or days of downtime later.
4. Remind your team about holiday scams
Scammers know employees are busier and more distracted in December. Remind your staff to stay alert for suspicious emails about package deliveries, invoices, or password resets.
Encourage them to:
- Avoid clicking unexpected links or attachments.
- Verify unusual requests through a phone call or secondary message.
- Double-check sender addresses for small spelling errors.
A short, friendly reminder now can prevent costly mistakes later.
5. Review remote work and travel security
Many employees work remotely during the holidays, often connecting from airports, cafés, or family homes. Set clear expectations about how and where company devices can be used. Encourage team members to avoid public Wi-Fi unless they’re using approved security tools.
Also, review account permissions and remove access for anyone who no longer needs it, such as seasonal staff or past contractors.
6. Monitor systems even when offices are quiet
Technology doesn’t take time off, and neither do cyber threats. Continuous monitoring helps catch unusual activity or performance issues before they become major problems. If your internal team will be working limited hours, make sure alerts are active or that a trusted partner like Fidelis’ security operations center is keeping watch 24/7.
7. Check your physical security
While digital protection gets most of the attention, physical access still matters. Before the holidays, do a quick check of:
- Server room locks
- Guest Wi-Fi separation
- Access for temporary staff
- Alarm systems and cameras
8. Review your incident response plan
If something unexpected happens, your team should know exactly what to do. Take a few minutes to review your response plan, review communication procedures, update contact information for key internal contacts & vendors, and confirm that it’s easy to find. Preparation now helps everyone stay calm and confident if an incident occurs.
9. Do some year-end cleanup
As the year wraps up, take time to organize your digital workspace. Remove unused accounts, archive old files, and clean up shared folders. Reviewing software licenses and subscriptions now can also help reduce costs and streamline operations heading into the new year.
Stay secure and stress-free this season
A few proactive steps today can protect your business from costly interruptions tomorrow. If you’d like expert help preparing your systems for the holidays or improving your year-round security posture, Fidelis is here for you.
Our local team partners with Pacific Northwest organizations to create safe, reliable, and resilient technology environments.
Contact us today to learn how we can help your business finish the year strong and start the new one with confidence.
