As we approach the holiday season, office hallways grow quieter, out-of-office auto-replies flood inboxes, and thoughts shift to family gatherings and gift shopping. But holiday cyber risks abound.
While your team may be winding down, cybercriminals are ramping up. The holiday season has historically been one of the most dangerous times of the year for data security, especially for healthcare organizations holding sensitive protected health information (PHI), where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
It’s a common misconception that hackers take holidays. In fact, they see the festive season as a strategic opportunity. They understand that during these weeks, organizations often operate with limited staff, key decision-makers are hard to reach, and employees are busy with holiday activities.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: The “Holiday Hazard”
If you believe the threat is overhyped, the data tells a different story. A recent study by Semperis, the 2025 Ransomware Holiday Risk Report, presents a clear picture of the threat landscape.
The report shows that 52% of ransomware attacks happen on weekends or holidays. This isn’t a coincidence; it’s a deliberate strategy. Cybercriminals purposefully time their attacks when organizational defenses are lower.
The study reveals why these attacks are often successful:
- 78% of global companies scale back their after-hours Security Operations Center (SOC) staffing by 50% or more during holidays.
- Even more alarming, 6% of organizations reported that they do not staff their security operations at all during weekends or holidays.
When your IT team is operating at half capacity or less, the time to detect and respond to an intrusion increases significantly. Hackers exploit this delay to move laterally through your network, exfiltrate patient data, and deploy ransomware before anyone notices something is wrong.
Distractions Increase Holiday Cyber Risks
Online Shopping and Phishing
Reduced staffing isn’t the only factor that makes organizations vulnerable; the human element also plays a role. During the holidays, employees tend to be more distracted. They might be browsing the web for last-minute gifts during lunch or anxiously waiting for shipping notifications for their packages.
Cybercriminals exploit this behavior through targeted phishing campaigns. During this time of year, we observe a significant increase in:
Fake Shipping Notifications: Emails claiming to be from FedEx, UPS, or Amazon that state a “delivery attempt failed” or “action is required.” A distracted employee, worried about a gift arriving on time, is far more likely to click a malicious link without verifying the sender.
“Too Good to Be True” Deals: Phishing emails pretending to be coupons or holiday offers.
Urgent Year-End Alerts: Fake emails from “executives” (Business Email Compromise) demanding quick wire transfers or gift card purchases for “employee bonuses.”
Managing the Risk: A Call to Action
The holiday season doesn’t have to be a disaster waiting to happen. By taking proactive steps now, you can secure your organization’s digital doors before heading out for the holidays.
Senior Management Must Lead the Charge. The message must come from the top: Security is a priority, even when the office party is in full swing. Senior management should issue a clear reminder to all staff to remain vigilant. Remind them that HIPAA compliance is a process that requires a culture of compliance 365 days a year.
Heightened Alert for Phishing: Remind your team to examine every email carefully. If they get a shipping notice for a package they didn’t order to the office, or if an email’s tone feels “off,” they should report it right away—without clicking on it. Sending a quick “security refresher” email this week can help keep these risks top of mind.
IT Priorities: Patch and Update. Before your IT staff logs off for their well-deserved break, ensure that “housekeeping” is completed. All software—especially your Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, operating systems, and firewalls—must be kept up to date and patched. Leaving known vulnerabilities unpatched over a long holiday weekend is like leaving the front door unlocked while you go on vacation.
Review Your Contingency Plan. If a cyberattack happens on Christmas Eve, would you happen to know who to call? Does your staff know what to do if they are the first to see a ransom note on a screen? Now is the time to review your HIPAA Contingency Plan. Make sure your contact lists are up to date and that everyone knows the protocol for disconnecting systems to contain a breach. As the Semperis report states, adversaries target identity systems to cause maximum damage; knowing how to recover quickly is essential.
Use HIPAA Risk Management to Strengthen Your Stance
Don’t let a cyberattack ruin your holiday season. The attackers are watching and waiting for you to let your guard down. By maintaining a high level of alert, ensuring your systems are patched, and reminding your staff that cybersecurity is a year-round responsibility, you can enjoy the festivities with peace of mind.
For help updating your policies or reviewing your risk management strategies, The HIPAA E-Tool® is here to ensure your compliance program is ready for the new year.
