When staffing is lower, routines change, and more people work remotely, the risk of IT incidents can increase. An email that would normally have been double-checked might go through faster. An invoice is approved by someone temporarily covering for a colleague. A login from an unusual location isn't immediately noticed. It's precisely in such situations that attackers are eager to strike.
The threat landscape has changed with the help of AI, phishing attacks have become more sophisticated. Scam emails that previously could be exposed by poor Swedish, strange phrasing, or odd senders can now be well-written, credible, and tailored to the recipient. They can mimic the tone of a manager, a supplier, or a partner – and they can look disturbingly authentic.
Therefore, it's wise to review IT security before the holidays truly begin. Here are five practical tips to help your company be better prepared during the summer months.
1. Tighten routines for emails, payments, and phishing
Phishing remains one of the most common entry points into a company. The difference today is that attacks have become harder to detect. AI makes it possible to create more credible emails, fake invoices, and messages that appear to come from people you know.
Before summer, all employees should receive a clear reminder: do not click on unexpected links, do not open suspicious attachments, and be extra vigilant about emails that create stress or urgency. Phrases like “can you approve this quickly before the holidays?” or “your account will be blocked today” should always set off alarm bells.
Also, establish a simple rule: changed account details, new suppliers, or unusual payments should always be double-checked through another channel. A phone call might feel old-fashioned, a bit like dusting off a beige desktop computer from 1998, but it still works very well.
2. Ensure remote access is protected
During the summer, many people work from locations other than the office. This could be from home, a summer house, or while traveling. Secure remote access then becomes especially important.
Ensure that everyone who needs to access the company's systems does so via secure solutions. VPNs, remote desktops, and cloud services must be correctly configured and protected with multi-factor authentication. Usernames and passwords alone are no longer sufficient.
Also, review which individuals actually need remote access during the summer. Old accounts, former employees, or temporary permissions that are no longer in use should be removed. The fewer open doors, the lower the risk.
3. Update computers, servers, and software before the holidays
Outdated systems are a classic security risk. When security updates are postponed, known vulnerabilities are left open, and attackers are adept at finding precisely these weaknesses.
Therefore, conduct a review before the holiday period begins. Check that computers, servers, firewalls, antivirus programs, operating systems, and critical applications are updated. This also applies to cloud services, web browsers, and programs used less frequently.
It's also important that someone is responsible for following up on critical updates during the summer. IT security should not depend on the "right person" happening to be back from leave.
4. Check backup and recovery
Backup is one of the most crucial components of a company's IT security. However, a backup is only valuable if it actually works when needed.
Before summer, you should check that backups are active, that important files and systems are included, and that recovery has been tested. It's easy to assume your backup works – until the day you actually need it.
A good backup solution should be automatic, regular, and protected from unauthorized access. During ransomware attacks, attackers often try to compromise backup environments as well. Therefore, it's crucial that backups not only exist but are also properly protected.
5. Have a clear plan if something happens
If a breach, a fraudulent invoice, or a suspicious email is discovered in mid-July, it should be clear what needs to be done. Who should be contacted? Who is authorized to make decisions? How do you close an account? How do you stop a payment? How do you reach IT support?
A simple incident plan can make a big difference. It doesn't need to be complicated, but it should be easy to understand and accessible to the right people. Document contact methods, responsible individuals, and the steps to take for various types of incidents.
When something happens, it's often stressful. It's good to avoid having to improvise then.
Make summer safer with the right IT preparations
Summer should be a time for recovery, not IT problems. By reviewing phishing routines, remote access, updates, backups, and incident plans, companies can reduce the risk of unnecessary disruptions and security incidents.
At Compliq, we help companies create more secure IT environments year-round. We can assist with secure remote access, backups, updates, computer protection, and advice on how to strengthen your IT security before summer.
Do you want to secure your IT environment before the holidays?
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