Holiday shutdowns are meant to be a reset for you and your team, yet they can quietly increase the risk of cyber incidents. Fewer people watching inboxes, more remote access and a rush to clear work before the break all create gaps that attackers understand well. According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, small businesses reported an average cost of $46,000 for each cyber crime incident in 2022–23, which is enough to disrupt cash flow or delay growth plans for many operators.

Holiday cyber security is less about doing everything and more about understanding where your business is exposed when routines change.

Email scams that strike while no one is watching

Attackers know inboxes are often unattended or lightly monitored over December and early January. Holiday themed phishing emails, fake delivery notices and messages that reference office closures often arrive during this period because they are more likely to sit for days before anyone reads them. When staff return, they face a backlog of unread mail and may click links or open attachments quickly so work can move forward.

According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, email compromise is among the top reported cyber crime types affecting Australian businesses. That means email remains a primary doorway into systems and financial processes. Training staff to be wary of messages that ask them to reset passwords, log into accounts or process unexpected payments is one of the most useful steps you can take before people go on leave.

Fake supplier emails that change bank details

Invoice fraud and supplier impersonation are growing risks for Australian small businesses. Attackers monitor email conversations between businesses and their suppliers or clients, then step in at the right moment with a fake message that updates bank account details. Over busy periods such as project deadlines or pre-holiday rush, it is easy for these changes to be actioned without a second thought.

According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, one small construction business paid an invoice of more than $70,000 twice after receiving fraudulent bank details via email, and ultimately lost over $150,000 when funds were sent to an account controlled by attackers. That kind of loss is difficult for any small business to absorb. Requiring staff to confirm any change to payment details by phone using a verified number is a simple policy that can stop this scenario before money leaves your account.

Out-of-office replies that reveal too much

Automated out-of-office replies are convenient, yet they can also reveal information that makes social engineering easier. Messages that list full names, job titles, mobile numbers and who is acting in a role can help an attacker craft convincing emails that appear to come from senior staff or key suppliers.

According to Cyber Wardens, cyber criminals deliberately ramp up their efforts during the festive season because they know small businesses are juggling orders, clients, staffing and last minute tasks. Attackers may use details in your out of office replies to send urgent requests to staff covering multiple roles. Keeping automated replies brief and avoiding unnecessary detail reduces what an attacker can use.

Unpatched systems that stay vulnerable over the break

Many businesses delay software updates and patching toward the end of the year so work is not disrupted. That delay can extend into January if no one is available to manage updates during the break. According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, one in five critical vulnerabilities was exploited within 48 hours of becoming public in 2022–23. Ignoring updates leaves your business exposed at the exact time when fewer people are watching for unusual behaviour.

A short window to apply critical updates before closing can significantly reduce this risk. Where possible, automatic updates on servers, devices and key applications give you some protection even if no one is logging in regularly.

Risky remote access from home or travel

Holiday periods often involve staff working from home, logging in while travelling or accessing cloud systems from personal devices. Public Wi-Fi in airports, cafes or accommodation can make it easier for attackers to intercept credentials or inject malicious content. Shared family devices that do not have the same security standards as corporate laptops can also introduce risk.

According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s guidance for small business, turning on multi-factor authentication and keeping software updated are three of the most effective ways to reduce common cyber threats. Encouraging staff to use only trusted networks, avoid public Wi-Fi for business logins and rely on multi-factor authentication helps maintain a stable security baseline even when work locations change.

Dormant accounts and shared logins that no one reviews

Accounts created for temporary staff, contractors or past employees can remain active long after they are needed. Shared inboxes and generic logins can also blur responsibility for activity. When the office is quiet, attackers often probe these weaker points because they are less likely to trigger immediate attention.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre encourages small businesses to minimise shared accounts and to remove access promptly when staff leave. A quick review before the break to disable unused accounts, tighten access on shared logins and confirm who has administrator rights will reduce opportunities for attackers who rely on forgotten credentials.

Holiday cyber security is about recognising how behaviour changes when teams are away and adjusting your safeguards accordingly. Addressing a few key risks before you close the doors for the year can prevent long investigations, financial loss and stressful recovery work in January.

The IT Agency helps keep businesses connected, protected, productive and supported with managed IT solutions that deliver real business outcomes. Talk to the team about how we can secure your systems, simplify your IT, and strengthen your business resilience today.

In summary

• Holiday periods change staff routines in ways that cyber criminals understand and exploit
• Email based scams and fake supplier messages are among the most common threats to Australian small businesses
• Simple steps such as multi-factor authentication, patching and access reviews reduce exposure over the break
• Preparing before shutdown helps your business return in the new year without avoidable cyber incidents

References

Australian Cyber Security Centre (2023) Cyber threat report 2022–23. Canberra: Australian Signals Directorate. Available at: https://www.cyber.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/asd-cyber-threat-report-2023.pdf (Accessed: 25 November 2025).

Australian Cyber Security Centre (2025) Small business. Available at: https://www.cyber.gov.au/learn-basics/explore-basics/small-business (Accessed: 25 November 2025).

Cyber Wardens (2024) Cyber security holiday guide for your small business. Available at: https://cyberwardens.com.au/cyber-security-holiday-guide-for-your-small-business/ (Accessed: 25 November 2025).

Cyber Wardens (2025) Master Builders Queensland: The builder with a $70,000 hole in his pocket after fake email attacks. Available at: https://cyberwardens.com.au/master-builders-queensland-the-builder-with-a-70000-hole-in-his-pocket-after-fake-email-attacks/ (Accessed: 25 November 2025).