Every year during the holiday season, cybercriminals go on offense while corporate security teams are stretched thin or offline. A recent Axios article shows that hackers know exactly when defenses are weakest and exploit that window with precision.
According to the report, a staggering 52 percent of ransomware attacks over the last year occurred on weekends or holidays, a period when most corporate offices are quiet and staff levels are low. In the same survey, 78 percent of organizations said they intentionally reduce security staffing during these times. Axios
This trend is not new but it is increasingly dangerous. Cybersecurity leaders warn that attackers will use holiday downtime to launch phishing campaigns, deploy ransomware, or steal sensitive data because slower detection and response gives them the advantage. Successful intrusions might not even be discovered until weeks after the holidays end, by which point data can be exfiltrated or systems locked down.
Why do hackers focus on this period? There are several reasons:
1. Reduced Staffing Means Slower Detection
Security teams often operate with skeleton crews during holidays, and critical alerts can go unnoticed until attackers have already established footholds. As Axios points out, defenders know this and often plan months in advance just to stay one step ahead.
2. Increased Email and Distraction Creates Opportunity
The holiday surge in email traffic—from celebrations to year-end business operations—creates a fertile environment for phishing. With employees more distracted, malicious emails can blend into the noise and users may click on harmful links or attachments. External research confirms that holiday seasons experience surges in phishing and social engineering attacks that exploit human error.
3. Attackers Time Ransomware for Maximum Impact
Attackers time ransomware and other offensive campaigns to coincide with low vigilance. The Axios report notes that many high-profile incidents occurred right before or during major holiday breaks, giving attackers time to deploy and propagate without immediate detection.
4. AI Amplifies Threat Capabilities
While defenders are stretched thin, attackers are increasingly armed with AI tools that help scale their operations. AI enables threat actors to craft more convincing phishing content, automate password spraying, and rapidly adapt to defensive measures—often faster than internal security teams can respond.
The Business Consequences Are Severe
When attackers succeed, the results are devastating. Data breaches erode customer trust, ransomware can halt operations, and recovery costs can stretch into millions of dollars. These impacts are compounded when incidents take weeks to detect, which is exactly what happens when corporate security teams are offline or understaffed.
Traditional security strategies depend heavily on detecting abnormal behavior and responding quickly. But during holidays, slower detection means lost time, more damage, and higher recovery costs.
Why Detect and Respond Is No Longer Enough
The fundamental problem with a “Detect and Respond” strategy is that it assumes attacks can be found and stopped in time. But when attackers strike during low vigilance periods, detection lags and response teams are not available or are overwhelmed. By the time the breach is detected, critical systems may already be compromised. This is why top security leaders are advocating a shift in strategy.
Isolation and Containment Is the Better Approach
Rather than waiting for a threat to be detected, isolated, and mitigated, modern endpoint protection must prevent malicious actions from executing in the first place. This is where AppGuard makes a real difference.
AppGuard is an endpoint protection solution with a decade-long track record of stopping advanced threats in their tracks by isolating untrusted code, scripts, and behaviors before they can execute. Its isolation-first model means that even if an attacker gains access through a phishing email or malware drop, the malicious code is contained and prevented from executing harmful actions on the system.
Here’s why AppGuard matters for holiday risk:
Stops Unknown Threats Before They Unfold
Unlike traditional tools that look for known signatures or behavioral anomalies, AppGuard proactively isolates threats, blocking damage before it starts.
Works Even When Security Staff Are Offline
AppGuard’s preventive isolation operates autonomously. It does not depend on real-time analysis from human teams or cloud-based detection that may be delayed during holidays.
Proven Commercial Success
For over ten years, AppGuard has protected government and enterprise environments against advanced persistent threats. Now available for commercial businesses, it offers a robust alternative to legacy endpoint defenses.
Conclusion: The Season When Hackers Don’t Take Time Off
As Axios reported, the holiday season represents a strategic window for attackers because defenders are less active and slower to respond. Axios Relying solely on detection and response leaves businesses vulnerable during these critical periods.
If you are a business leader concerned about the rising tide of holiday cyberattacks, it is time to rethink your approach. Moving from a detect-and-respond mindset to one that emphasizes isolation and containment can dramatically reduce risk and prevent attacks before they can cause damage.
Call to Action
Talk with us at CHIPS about how AppGuard’s isolation and containment approach can protect your business from holiday hackers and beyond. Learn why so many organizations are turning to preventive security that stops attacks before they start. Contact us today to protect your business.
Like this article? Please share it with others!
Comments