Vacation season means fewer people in the office, reduced security capacity and sometimes temporary changes to access rights. For attackers, this can create opportunities – employees are working remotely, key decision-makers may be unavailable, and phishing or impersonation attempts can be harder to verify. But there is one thing that must remain constant – your IT infrastructure, identities and sensitive data must continue to operate 24/7.
Attackers target access not just systems
Modern cyberattacks increasingly rely on compromised identities. Stolen credentials can give attackers access to critical systems, sensitive data and cloud environments while allowing them to move laterally through an organization. This makes identity security a critical part of cyber resilience. Organizations should ensure that users have only the access they need, strengthen authentication with MFA, regularly review permissions and manage access through clearly defined roles and governance processes.
Don’t forget the most powerful identities
Privileged accounts are particularly attractive targets because they can provide extensive access to critical systems. Strong Privileged Access Management (PAM) helps organizations secure privileged credentials, control and monitor administrative access, apply time-limited permissions and maintain complete audit trails.
Prepare Before Employees Go Offline
A few simple measures can significantly reduce security risks during vacation periods. These include reviewing user and privileged access, removing unnecessary or inactive accounts, and setting expiration dates for temporary access. It is also important to ensure that security monitoring and incident response remain fully covered during employee absences. A brief reminder about phishing and secure remote working can further strengthen security awareness. The goal is simple – employee absence should never become a security risk.
Cybersecurity does not take a vacation
A resilient organization needs security controls that continue working even when key people are away. Strong IAM, PAM, continuous monitoring and clear security processes help ensure that the organization remains protected – during vacation season and throughout the year.
Want to explore the key risks and recommended security controls in more detail?
Check out our presentation: “Your CEO is on vacation. Is your IT infrastructure protected?” for practical IAM controls, PAM measures and a pre-vacation security checklist.
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