When summer rolls around, many employees and executives head out for some well-earned rest. But even though your employees are on vacation, cybercriminals don’t take time off — in fact, they often see this season as a prime opportunity.
Reduced staffing, relaxed routines, and out-of-office devices create ideal conditions for cyber attacks. As a Managed Services Provider (MSP), we’ve seen how small oversights during the summer months can lead to big security incidents.
Here’s what your business should watch out for — and how to stay better protected.
Why Vacation Season Increases Cyber Risk
Out-of-Office = Out-of-Sync
When key team members are away, alerts may go unnoticed or updates get delayed. That creates windows of vulnerability — especially if no one is actively monitoring your IT environment.
Mobile Devices on Unsecured Networks
Employees checking email or accessing company files from hotel Wi-Fi or personal hotspots often do so without realizing the risks. These unsecured connections can expose sensitive data.
Phishing on the Rise
Attackers know that summer means more out-of-office replies, a relaxed mindset, and looser internal controls. This makes social engineering and phishing attempts more effective.
Lack of MFA and Weak Passwords
When employees are rushing to hand off tasks or access systems remotely, they may bypass security protocols. If you’re not enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA), now’s the time.
6 Ways to Stay Secure While Your Team Takes Time Off
Implement a Remote Access Cybersecurity Policy
Outline basic steps for remote access, secure device use, and reporting incidents — even while out of office.
Set Up Auto-Monitoring and Alerts
Ensure you have real-time monitoring in place, with automated alerts for suspicious activity. If your IT team is short-staffed, consider partnering with a managed security provider (like Silverline Solutions).
Enforce MFA on All Critical Systems
From email to file storage, multi-factor authentication adds a vital layer of protection — especially for users logging in from unknown locations.
Schedule Software Updates in Advance
Don’t let patching fall behind because your IT guy is at the beach. Cloud-based systems (like managed cloud hosting) can automate many of these tasks and keep you better protected.
Educate Employees Before They Go
A quick refresher on secure browsing, using VPNs, and recognizing phishing attempts can prevent vacation mishaps.
Conduct a Post-Vacation Security Review
Once your team is back, review logs, audit remote access, and close any permissions that may have been temporarily expanded.
A Quick Word on Cloud Hosting
If you’re still managing servers on-site, vacation season can expose gaps in your ability to monitor, patch, and respond quickly. Cloud hosting not only makes your infrastructure more flexible, but also improves security with built-in redundancy, automated backups, enhanced security, and centralized access controls — ideal when teams are spread thin.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity isn’t seasonal — and neither are the threats businesses face. But with a little foresight and the right technology in place, you can keep your systems secure while your team enjoys some well-deserved downtime.
At Silverline Solutions, we help businesses stay protected year-round with managed cybersecurity, remote monitoring, and cloud-based solutions that don’t take vacations.
Need a summer security checkup?
Let’s talk. Our experts are here to keep your business secure — no matter the season.