Black Friday and Cyber Monday are synonymous with big sales, increased online shopping, and higher retail volumes—both in stores and online. But these high-traffic days also mark a peak period for cybercriminals looking to exploit the surge in consumer activity, stressed systems, and distracted employees. As the shopping frenzy begins, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about cybersecurity to prevent disruptions or breaches that could leave your business vulnerable well after the deals are over.
So, why do Black Friday and Cyber Monday pose an increased risk for cyber threats? First, these days are typically busy and distracting for everyone, presenting more opportunities for hackers to launch phishing scams, plant malicious ads, or compromise websites. Additionally, many employees may take time off, or businesses may experience staffing shortages, resulting in decreased vigilance and weaker cybersecurity monitoring. IT teams, already stretched thin, are also focused on handling the increased demand, which may lead to gaps in security and response capabilities.
Finally, it’s important to remember that cyber threats extend beyond your own business: a breach in a third-party vendor’s system can create a ripple effect across an entire organization.
Types of Threats to Watch Out For
While cybercriminals employ a variety of tactics, these are some of the most common threats to be especially aware of during Black Friday and Cyber Monday:
- Phishing: Hackers send fraudulent emails or messages that appear to be from trusted sources, tricking employees or customers into sharing sensitive information, such as passwords or payment details.
- Ransomware: Attackers lock your company’s critical data and demand a ransom for its release. As business operations get busier during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there’s often less monitoring of systems, making this type of attack more likely to go unnoticed for longer periods.
- Privileged Misuse: Malicious actors may exploit insider access or compromise employee credentials to gain unauthorized entry into your business’s sensitive systems.
- Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks: During high-traffic periods like Black Friday, attackers may target online retailers by overwhelming their website’s server to make it unavailable to legitimate users. These attacks can lead to lost sales and reputational damage.
- Theft of Physical Assets: If physical assets such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones are stolen, they can provide access to sensitive information, especially if not properly secured.
- Third-Party Compromises: Attackers may exploit vulnerabilities in third-party services or web applications that your business relies on, gaining access to and stealing sensitive data.
Cybersecurity Protection Tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday
To keep your business secure during these critical shopping days, it’s important to take a proactive approach to managing the security of your online systems. Here’s where to start:
- Update Software and Systems: Ensure all software and systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches. Cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software, so keeping everything updated is essential.
- Educate Your Employees: Since human error remains one of the leading causes of breaches, it’s essential to educate your team on cybersecurity best practices. Share our Holiday Cyberthreats Overview with your employees for an easy-to-follow guide on staying safe.
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Strengthen access control by requiring MFA on all systems, especially for sensitive accounts. MFA makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access, even if they’ve compromised login credentials.
- Monitor Your Systems and Networks: Stay on top of network activity with real-time monitoring. Increased monitoring during Black Friday and Cyber Monday can help identify and respond to potential threats faster, minimizing damage.
- Use Secure and Trusted Wi-Fi Networks: Always disable the “Auto-Connect” feature on your devices and turn Wi-Fi off when not in use. When connected to public or unknown networks, avoid sharing sensitive data or information.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are exciting times for retailers, but they also require extra attention to security. By taking proactive steps to protect your data, educating your employees, and staying aware of the latest threats, you can focus on maximizing sales without worrying about the security or reputation of your business.
