Why December Is a High-Risk Month for Email Security
December is one of the most active months of the year for cybercriminals. Businesses slow down, employees take time off, approvals are delayed, and response times are longer. Attackers take advantage of this shift, especially when they see clear signs that staff are unavailable.
Out-of-office emails are one of the easiest indicators that a business is operating with reduced oversight. While they are meant to be helpful, they can unintentionally expose information that makes targeted attacks more effective.
How Out-of-Office Messages Help Attackers
They Confirm Who Is Unavailable
An automatic reply tells attackers exactly who cannot respond, and for how long. This removes a key layer of verification. If an email looks suspicious, there is no quick way to confirm it with the person who is out.
They Reveal Internal Details
Many out-of-office messages include return dates, job roles, internal contacts, or alternate approvers. This information allows attackers to craft emails that feel legitimate and urgent, especially when impersonating coworkers or vendors.
A common scenario involves finance or administrative staff. If an employee responsible for payments is out, attackers may send a payment request to a backup contact, knowing the original employee cannot confirm it.
They Enable Executive Impersonation
When leadership is out of the office, attackers often impersonate executives to request gift cards, wire transfers, or sensitive documents. These attacks succeed because employees assume the executive is unavailable and act quickly.
Delayed Detection Makes the Impact Worse
During the holidays, inboxes are not monitored as closely. Security alerts may sit unread, and suspicious emails may not be reported right away. This gives attackers more time to move through systems, access data, or escalate their attack.
This risk is especially high for healthcare practices, legal offices, and nonprofits. These organizations rely heavily on email and handle sensitive information, often with small teams and limited internal IT resources.
Out-of-office replies can also confirm which email addresses are active. Attackers routinely test addresses and focus their efforts on inboxes that generate automatic responses.
How Businesses Can Reduce Holiday Email Risk
Keep Out-of-Office Messages Generic
Avoid including return dates, internal contact names, phone numbers, or job responsibilities. A short message stating that the email will be addressed upon return is usually enough.
Prepare Employees Before Time Off Begins
A brief reminder about holiday phishing scams can significantly reduce risk. Employees should be extra cautious with messages involving payments, attachments, account changes, or urgent requests.
Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication
Email accounts, cloud platforms, and financial systems should all use multi-factor authentication, especially for executives and finance staff. MFA can stop attackers even if credentials are compromised.
Review Email Security and Monitoring
Before offices slow down, confirm that spam filtering, phishing detection, login alerts, and backup access procedures are working properly. Make sure someone is assigned to monitor alerts during holiday periods.
Conclusion
Cybercriminals do not take holidays off. Small changes to how out-of-office messages are handled can significantly reduce risk during one of the most targeted times of the year.
If you want to make sure your email setup is not exposing your business during the holidays, our team can help. Contact us to schedule a quick holiday email security review and protect your business before attackers take advantage of the season.
