How Businesses Can Avoid Holiday Cyber Scams

Essential Cybersecurity and Data Protection Tips for Canadian Businesses

Holiday cyber scams are rising fast and Canadian businesses are a prime target. As companies focus on year end operations, online shopping, and time off, cybercriminals take advantage of distracted employees and vulnerable systems. In a recent Tech Talk episode, Nextgen Automation’s IT Director Kendall Priebe shared why scams increase during the holidays and what businesses should do now to stay protected.

This article highlights the key risks and practical steps organizations can take to strengthen cybersecurity, prevent phishing attacks, and ensure their data is properly protected during the holiday season and beyond.

Why cyberattacks increase during the holiday season

The holidays create the perfect conditions for cybercriminals. Businesses typically experience higher email volume, increased online purchases and deliveries, staff working remotely or on vacation, smaller IT teams, and more year end financial activity. Attackers know that people are distracted and more likely to click before thinking.

According to our IT Director, when attention drops, risk increases. That is why holiday cybersecurity planning is critical for every business, not just large enterprises.

Common holiday scams targeting businesses

Phishing remains the most effective attack method. During the holidays, phishing emails often impersonate delivery companies, online retailers, travel providers, vendors, or internal executives. These messages are designed to look urgent and legitimate so users act quickly.

Spear phishing is even more dangerous because it is targeted. Attackers research specific employees and send highly personalized messages that appear trustworthy. Smishing and vishing are also on the rise, using text messages and phone calls to impersonate banks, couriers, or company leadership. Another growing threat is quishing, where QR codes redirect users to malicious websites.

Business Email Compromise is one of the most expensive attacks businesses face. In these cases, attackers impersonate executives or vendors and request wire transfers, payment changes, or sensitive information. During the holidays, when leadership may be traveling or unavailable, these attacks become even more effective.

The biggest misconception about cloud data

One of the most important points Kendall shared is that storing files in the cloud does not mean they are backed up. Services like OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive, and Dropbox are designed to synchronize data, not protect it.

When a file is deleted on a computer, it is deleted everywhere. When ransomware encrypts a file, that encrypted version synchronizes to the cloud. Most platforms only retain deleted files for a short period of time, often around thirty days. After that, the data is permanently lost.

Even more concerning, major cloud providers clearly state in their terms of service that they are not responsible for data loss and recommend customers maintain separate backups. This misunderstanding is one of the main reasons ransomware incidents cause such severe damage.

Why proper backups matter more during the holidays

Most cyber incidents start with a single click. Without a reliable backup and recovery solution, the impact can be immediate and costly. Businesses may lose access to client data, experience extended downtime, face ransom demands, and suffer reputational damage.

A proper backup strategy allows businesses to restore clean data quickly and continue operating. Instead of negotiating with attackers, organizations can recover their systems and move forward with minimal disruption.

Simple steps businesses can take today

The first step is to slow down before clicking. Urgent messages are a common red flag. Verifying requests through a known phone number or internal process can prevent costly mistakes.

Strengthening passwords is another quick win. Adding two unique characters and enabling multi factor authentication significantly improves security. Employee awareness training is also essential, especially during high risk periods like the holidays.

Finally, businesses should review their backup and continuity plans. If you cannot confidently answer when your last backup ran, where your data is stored, or how long it would take to recover from an attack, it is time for a review.

Why working with cybersecurity professionals matters

Most small and medium sized businesses do not have dedicated security teams. Partnering with a managed IT   provider ensures continuous monitoring, proactive protection, and fast response when something goes wrong. It also ensures backups are properly configured, tested, and recoverable.

NextGen Automation help businesses across Canada protect their data, secure their operations, and reduce cyber risk. To help organizations prepare for the holiday season, we are offering a complimentary cybersecurity and data protection assessment.

Protect your business this holiday season by taking action before cybercriminals do.