The holidays are meant for relaxing with family, friends, and festive cheer. But for businesses, this season brings more than just joy—it brings cybersecurity risks.
Hackers know that during the holidays, teams are short-staffed, distracted, or out of the office. That’s why having a clear data breach response plan is more critical than ever.
Here’s how to protect your business and stay secure—even while sipping eggnog.
1. Have a Backup Team in Place
Even if everything is scheduled and accounted for, someone might cancel last minute. That’s why it’s essential to have backup staff ready to step in.
Ensure backup team members are fully trained and informed about their roles in your data breach response plan. Preparation today can prevent chaos tomorrow.
2. Create an On-Call Holiday Rotation
Your team deserves time off, but someone should always be on call. Set up a rotating schedule where each person is responsible for a day or two during the break.
This approach keeps your team rested while ensuring someone is always ready to respond to suspicious activity.
And don’t forget to assign a backup for your on-call staff, just in case they become unavailable.
3. Know Everyone’s Availability
Holiday schedules can get messy fast. Use a shared calendar to track who’s off, who’s working, and who can be reached in case of emergency.
Also, document who’s available to work remotely and who will be completely off the grid. This visibility is key to a successful data breach response plan.
Encourage in-office staff to be extra vigilant and take the lead on security monitoring while others are away.
4. Keep Contact Info Updated
When people travel, their usual contact methods may change. Don’t rely on just one phone number or email.
Update your records with alternate numbers, such as a partner’s phone, a landline, or a secondary mobile. You’ll want to reach key personnel quickly if an incident occurs.
5. Coordinate with Your Managed IT Provider
Before your team signs off for the holidays, check in with your IT provider. They can help assess your current security posture and confirm that your data breach response plan is in place and ready.
They can also provide around-the-clock monitoring while your team is enjoying some well-earned downtime.
Final Thoughts
The holidays shouldn’t be a time of stress and scrambling in response to cyberattacks. With a data breach response plan that includes backups, scheduling, contact management, and IT support, your business can stay protected—even when the office is quiet.
Ready to secure your network for the holidays? Contact Vision Computer Solutions at 1.248.349.6115 today.
