Don’t Let IT Be a Nightmare: 5 Ways to Keep Your Business Safe This Halloween
Halloween has a way of stirring up both excitement and unease. Kids run from door to door in costumes, parents check over the candy haul, and adults indulge in the thrill of being a little spooked.
But in the business world, the real scares don’t come from ghosts or goblins at the door, they come from cybercriminals quietly trying to break into your network. And unlike a haunted house, their tricks can have very real and costly consequences.
Cyberattacks often spike around the holidays when many companies are short-staffed or distracted by seasonal demands. Attackers know this, and they’re getting smarter. Last year alone, 52% of organizations worldwide reported ransomware hitting their supply chains.
Even more alarming, 60% of breaches involved vulnerabilities that could have been prevented with updates and patches that were already available. In many cases, businesses aren’t being outsmarted, they’re leaving their digital doors wide open.
The good news is you don’t need a cybersecurity degree or a team of experts to keep your business safe. You just need consistent, commonsense security practices that become second nature.
1. Inspect the Digital Candy: Be Smart About Phishing
Every parent knows to search candy bags for anything suspicious. In the digital world, emails and messages deserve that same scrutiny. Phishing has become one of the most effective tools for cybercriminals, and it’s no longer just the obvious scams asking you to wire money to a “prince.” Today’s phishing emails are sophisticated, carefully designed to look like they’re from trusted sources.
A phishing attempt can be subtle. For example, using “amaz0n.com” rather than “amazon.com.” Or, a link could take you to a different location than it claims, such as a message that demands immediate action, like “click here to avoid account closure.”
To avoid serious harm, slow down and pay attention. Encourage your team to:
- Examine the full sender address, not just the display name.
- Hover over links before clicking to verify where they lead.
- Be suspicious of any email that incites fear or a sense of urgency.
2. Don’t Trust the Costume: Use Multi-Factor Authentication
On Halloween, everyone disguises themselves. But in your business, make sure no one can hide behind a mask and access your sensitive systems. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect your business.
Passwords alone are no longer enough. About 74% of data breaches involve the human element, often through weak or stolen credentials. MFA makes it much harder for criminals with stolen passwords to sneak in by adding a second checkpoint.
Start by enabling MFA on the most critical systems first. Preferably, use authentication apps rather than SMS, since texts can be intercepted. And explain the “why” to your team, people are more likely to embrace MFA if they understand it’s an extra lock on the door that protects everyone and not just an inconvenience.
3. Patch the Holes in the Fence: Keep Systems Updated
In every horror movie, there’s always an unlocked door or a broken fence that lets the monster in. For your business, the unpatched systems are the weak spots. Cybercriminals’ easiest way in is through outdated software.
AI-driven attacks are making this even scarier, with hackers taking an average of only six minutes to compromise a system, meaning, monthly patching schedules are no longer enough.
A solid patching strategy includes:
- Prioritize critical updates for internet-facing systems, such as browsers, firewalls, and remote access tools.
- Use automated patch management if manual tracking feels overwhelming.
- Including devices like printers, cameras, and other IoT gadgets. They are often overlooked but can be an entry point.
Think of patching as repairing that fence before Halloween night. You may not see the intruders, but they’re out there looking for gaps. Partnering with a business IT support company can help you close the gaps.
4. Have an Escape Plan: Back Up Your Data
Every scary movie has at least one smart character who plans an escape route. In business, your escape plan is your backup strategy. If ransomware locks up your systems, data backups may be the only way to recover without paying criminals.
Ransomware attacks can paralyze businesses for days or weeks. For small and midsize businesses, recovery costs can reach as high as $1.24 million on average. That’s a terrifying bill for something that backups could have prevented.
Follow the 3-2-1 rule: Keep three copies of your data, on two types of storage, with one copy stored offsite.
Test those backups regularly. A backup that doesn’t work is as good as no backup at all. Also, consider using both cloud and local storage so you’re covered from multiple angles.
5. Light Up the Dark Corners: Monitor Your Network
Would you let your kids walk down a dark alley just for a little extra candy? Of course not. In the same way, digital infrastructure needs protection.
Many businesses don’t have full visibility into all the devices connected to their networks. That’s like having secret tunnels into your house that you don’t even know about, but intruders do.
Start by making a complete inventory of devices. Separate guest Wi-Fi from your main network to keep them from creating risks. Use monitoring tools to spot unusual activity, such as repeated unsuccessful login attempts or suspicious data transfers.
Don’t Face the Cyber Haunt Alone
Cybersecurity can be complex, especially when you’re already trying to manage your business’s daily activities. You don’t have to handle it alone.
C Solutions IT assists businesses in strengthening their defense without going over budget. Our team makes cybersecurity simple, practical, and accessible.
Reach out to C Solutions IT for a security assessment and see how we can help protect your business from becoming the next ghost story.