A Quarter Of UK SMEs Leave Cybersecurity Systems Unwatched Over Christmas Break
Research conducted by Kaspersky reveals that UK small businesses face increased cybersecurity risks during the Christmas holiday period. A survey of 500 business owners indicates that nearly a third will close their operations for 3-5 days, with some…
Research conducted by Kaspersky reveals that UK small businesses face increased cybersecurity risks during the Christmas holiday period. A survey of 500 business owners indicates that nearly a third will close their operations for 3-5 days, with some extending this period to a week or longer. Over 80% will shut down for at least a day, while only 19% remain fully operational.
This extended closure period increases vulnerability to cyber threats. Despite high confidence levels—with 82% of owners believing their cybersecurity measures are sufficient—35% reported experiencing cyber incidents during previous holiday breaks.
Key concerns include phishing and ransomware attacks. However, nearly 12% of businesses take no preventive action prior to closure, while others perform tasks such as data backups and software updates. A small percentage conduct tests on response plans or brief staff on potential seasonal scams.
Research conducted by Kaspersky reveals that UK small businesses face increased cybersecurity risks during the Christmas holiday period.
Kaspersky's data highlights varying strategies for system monitoring during holidays. Half of the firms employ internal or external IT teams, whereas a quarter rely on non-specialist staff. Another quarter admits to having no monitoring in place. This lack of oversight during breaks presents opportunities for cybercriminals, especially when businesses depend heavily on a limited number of suppliers or technological tools.
Looking ahead, many business owners express intentions to enhance data backups, improve threat detection, and educate staff on better security practices before 2026. Nonetheless, concrete plans remain limited, with only 19% committed to investing in cybersecurity in the coming year. This gap between intention and action leaves businesses vulnerable to future holiday period risks.
Anna Papla, UK territory channel manager at Kaspersky, notes the stress of the holiday season can lead to overlooked IT security measures. She emphasizes the importance of implementing effective alerting and backup strategies to mitigate risks during extended closures.
Based on reporting by techround.co.uk.