Holiday Access Risks: Managing Identity Security During the Holiday Season
Dec 23, 2024
Linx Team
The holiday season brings unique challenges for enterprises. While employees take time off, cybercriminals ramp up their efforts, targeting organizations during periods of reduced staffing and increased operational flexibility. For identity and access management (IAM) teams, this period requires heightened vigilance.
At Linx Security, we’ve observed that holiday periods often lead to an uptick in security incidents linked to access mismanagement. From rushed access approvals to inactive accounts being exploited, the risks are significant—but they can be mitigated with the right strategies. Here’s how enterprises can stay secure while embracing the holiday spirit.
1. Increased Third-Party Access During the Holidays
The Risk:
During the holiday season, many enterprises rely on contractors, temporary staff, or third-party vendors to maintain operations. These third parties often require access to critical systems, yet their onboarding and offboarding processes are frequently rushed or incomplete.
A Ponemon Institute study revealed that 59% of organizations experienced a data breach due to third-party access mismanagement. Implementing stricter controls during high-risk periods like the holidays is essential.
Actionable Strategy:
Automate Onboarding and Offboarding: Use IAM tools to streamline and enforce consistent processes for third-party access.
Set Temporary Access Windows: Limit access duration to the holiday period, ensuring credentials expire automatically.
Monitor Third-Party Behavior: Continuously track and analyze activity from third-party accounts to detect anomalies.
2. Reduced Staffing and Security Oversight
The Risk:
Reduced staffing during holidays often leads to delayed threat detection and response times. Attackers exploit these gaps, knowing incident response teams are operating with skeleton crews.
According to Cybersecurity Dive, security incidents spike by 30% during major holidays. Having automated systems in place ensures you’re not reliant solely on human intervention.
Actionable Strategy:
Implement ITDR Solutions: Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) tools can automate threat detection and take preemptive actions, such as locking compromised accounts.
Set Up Holiday-Specific Policies: Configure your IAM platform to enforce stricter authentication requirements during off-hours.
Leverage AI for Continuous Monitoring: Use AI-driven tools to identify unusual access patterns, such as logins from new geolocations or at odd hours.
3. Temporary Role Changes and Privilege Escalations
The Risk:
Holiday schedules often lead to role changes, such as managers temporarily delegating access rights to team members. This increases the risk of privilege creep and misuse.
In a 2023 report, Forrester emphasized the importance of JIT access as a zero-trust best practice, particularly during periods of organizational disruption.
Actionable Strategy:
Enforce Just-in-Time (JIT) Access: Use JIT provisioning to grant temporary elevated privileges that automatically revoke after a set period.
Audit Privilege Escalations: Regularly review changes to access permissions during the holiday season.
Use Adaptive MFA: Add extra layers of security for accounts with newly escalated privileges.
4. Stale and Inactive Accounts
The Risk:
Inactive accounts, such as those of employees on extended holiday leave, are prime targets for attackers. These accounts often go unnoticed during routine security checks.
Gartner estimates that 30% of breaches are linked to inactive or orphaned accounts. Proactively addressing these risks during the holidays can prevent exploitation.
Actionable Strategy:
Suspend Unused Accounts: Temporarily disable accounts for employees on extended leave.
Automate Dormant Account Detection: Use your IAM platform to flag accounts that haven’t been used within a set time frame.
Audit Orphaned Accounts: Ensure no accounts are tied to departed employees or contractors.
5. Increased Remote Work Risks
The Risk:
Many employees work remotely during the holidays, often from unsecured personal devices or public networks. This creates vulnerabilities, particularly when accessing sensitive systems.
A 2024 report by CSO Online found that 75% of organizations experienced a surge in remote work-related security incidents during the holidays. Strengthening remote access policies is a critical defense.
Actionable Strategy:
Enforce Device Trust Policies: Require that only pre-approved and compliant devices can access enterprise systems.
Deploy Adaptive Access Controls: Use geolocation, device type, and behavioral patterns to adjust authentication requirements dynamically.
Educate Employees: Run holiday-specific security awareness campaigns, reminding staff about secure access practices.
6. Phishing Campaigns Targeting Holiday Chaos
The Risk:
Cybercriminals exploit the holiday rush with targeted phishing campaigns. Emails disguised as holiday deals, time-sensitive HR notices, or even fake holiday greetings can trick employees into revealing credentials.
The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) reported a 38% increase in phishing attacks during the 2023 holiday season. Proactive training and strong IAM measures can mitigate these risks.
Actionable Strategy:
Implement Email Filtering: Use advanced email security tools to block suspicious messages before they reach employees.
Enforce MFA Across All Accounts: Ensure compromised credentials cannot be used without secondary authentication.
Conduct Simulated Phishing Tests: Run holiday-themed phishing tests to raise awareness among employees.
7. Ensuring Business Continuity
The Risk:
While securing systems is a top priority, excessive restrictions can hinder productivity and disrupt holiday operations.
Balancing security with usability ensures operations continue smoothly while maintaining robust defenses.
Actionable Strategy:
Implement Role-Based Access Controls (RBAC): Ensure employees only have access to the tools they need, reducing unnecessary friction.
Create a Holiday Access Playbook: Define clear protocols for granting, revoking, and monitoring access during the holiday season.
Monitor in Real Time: Use IAM platforms with real-time dashboards to track access activities without delays.
Conclusion: Staying Secure Without Sacrificing Holiday Spirit
The holiday season doesn’t have to be a time of heightened risk for enterprises. With proactive planning, robust IAM practices, and the right tools, organizations can navigate this challenging period securely. At Linx Security, we specialize in helping enterprises implement adaptive, scalable IAM solutions that minimize risks and enhance operational resilience.
As the holidays approach, now is the time to evaluate your IAM strategy. Are your systems prepared for the unique challenges of this season?
Stay ahead of holiday access risks with Linx Security. Contact us or explore how our IAM solutions can safeguard your enterprise during the busiest time of the year.
