According to Insider Intelligence, retail e-commerce sales in the U.S. are expected to jump 35.8 percent this holiday season. With online shopping at an all-time high during the holiday season, businesses and employees must take the necessary precautions to avoid phishing schemes, suspicious websites and similar threats.
Cybersecurity events tend to skyrocket during the holidays. The reasoning behind this sharp increase in cybercrimes is a combination of factors. Employees are often so busy focused on preparing for the holidays ahead, cybersecurity is not on their mind. Organizations should take extra measures to promote cybersecurity awareness during the holiday season.
Do not wait until a cybercrime has occurred to start preparing employees for the possibility of a data breach. Take a proactive approach to cybersecurity awareness by providing employees with some much-needed holiday cybersecurity training. This holiday season, here are some important topics to discuss with your workforce:
Vulnerabilities are constantly being discovered that put businesses at risk. When software or operating systems are not continually updated, it creates security gaps that cybercriminals may take advantage of to gain access to confidential data. Businesses should ensure that their systems and software are updated and any security holes are patched.
Browsing the web securely means using only secure websites and browsers. Only purchase from sites that start with HTTPS, which secures the connection from the computer or phone to the site being visited. Also, check the SSL certificate, the URL, and whether or not the business provides contact information like a phone number and physical address.
Cybercriminals have a wide range of password-hacking tools and techniques at their disposal. To reduce the risk of having a password stolen, use long and unique passwords for each site. When creating a password, use a mix of characters, including lowercase and uppercase letters, symbols and numbers.
Many businesses participate in annual gift exchanges during the holidays. However, these types of events can sometimes lead to fraud or stolen information. Before this year’s gift exchange, review the following tips with your workforce:
Cybercriminals often create websites that resemble successful sites. Before entering confidential credentials into a website, always verify that the website is legitimate. Teach employees to look at the URL to ensure that it is correct. Also, check the website’s privacy policy and look for a trust seal that indicates that the website works with a third-party security service provider.
Email advertisements can often be enticing but not all are from legitimate sources. Always read email advertisements carefully before clicking on any links or attachments. Ideally, employees should avoid this practice altogether and type in the website’s name directly into the search bar.
Even with cybersecurity precautions in mind, there is always a chance that a hacker could steal a buyer’s personal or financial information. In the days and weeks following an online shopping purchase, monitor business and personal bank accounts to check for any suspicious transactions.
The holiday season presents certain cybersecurity threats that put businesses at risk for cybercrime. Organizations need to promote proper cybersecurity awareness in the weeks and months leading up to the holidays. Speaking with a strategic business and IT consultant can also prove helpful. For more information about staying safe online during the 2021 holiday season or to speak with an IT consultant, contact our experts at Hartman Executive Advisors today.