How to safeguard your systems while employees (and attackers) are on the move
Summer is peak season for family vacations, extended weekends, and a generally more relaxed pace across many industries. But for cybercriminals? It’s business as usual—and in some cases, it’s their most opportunistic time of year.
With employees working remotely from vacation homes or public Wi-Fi networks, and companies running with lighter internal oversight due to staff time off, the summer months create prime conditions for cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Seasonal phishing campaigns, outdated software patches, and unsecured endpoints can open the door to major breaches—and businesses of all sizes are at risk.
At Advantage Security, we help businesses stay protected year-round. Below, we’re breaking down the unique cybersecurity risks that arise in the summer—and what steps your business can take right now to prevent becoming a target.
1. Remote Work Risks: Guarding the Off-Site Connection
Even if your business has returned to in-office operations, your employees likely check email, access shared files, or respond to urgent requests from outside the office, especially during summer travel. If those devices aren’t secured, your internal systems could be at risk.
Best practices to reduce exposure:
- Require VPN usage for all remote logins to your network. A virtual private network adds a layer of encryption that protects your data even on unsecured public Wi-Fi.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for email, financial systems, and cloud-based file storage. This helps prevent unauthorized access even if login credentials are compromised.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi when accessing sensitive business data. Encourage employees to use a personal mobile hotspot when traveling, or to wait until they’re on a trusted connection.
Want to secure your remote access? Explore our Access Control solutions.
2. Seasonal Phishing Scams: Social Engineering at Its Sneakiest
Cybercriminals are incredibly good at timing. During the summer months, phishing emails often mimic vacation confirmations, event invites, or even company-wide time-off policies to lure unsuspecting employees.
Spotting the signs:
- Be wary of emails urging immediate action (e.g. “Confirm your flight booking now” or “Click here to avoid account suspension”).
- Always check the sender’s domain name and look for small misspellings or unusual addresses.
- Educate your team on how to recognize phishing attempts and where to report them internally.
At Advantage Security, we offer security awareness training that helps organizations build a human firewall, because technology alone isn’t enough. You can learn more about customized cybersecurity training solutions
3. Unpatched Software and Outdated Systems
If your IT team is running a leaner schedule over the summer, don’t let routine maintenance fall through the cracks. Software updates often include critical security patches. Ignoring them—even for a few weeks—can leave your systems exposed to known vulnerabilities.
Recommendations:
- Enable automatic updates whenever possible for operating systems, antivirus tools, and cloud-based platforms.
- Schedule regular scans to ensure your firewall and antivirus are active and current.
- Conduct a mid-year system audit to check for unsupported software or old user accounts that should be deactivated.
4. Increased Physical Threats to Data and Devices
While cybersecurity usually refers to digital threats, don’t forget that a stolen laptop or an unattended workstation can also lead to a breach.
Summer events like trade shows, pop-up locations, or community festivals often bring staff and devices into unsecured environments.
What to do:
- Make sure endpoint devices are encrypted so that data is unreadable without credentials.
- Use secure logins on all devices—even tablets and company-issued phones.
- Train your team on safe equipment handling, especially when traveling or working in public.
Secure your business with intrusion detection and alarm systems that work in tandem with digital protection strategies.
5. Planning Ahead: Build a Year-Round Cybersecurity Culture
Ultimately, protecting your business during the summer isn’t about adding one more tool—it’s about building habits and systems that are sustainable in every season.
A few steps to strengthen your organization’s cybersecurity culture:
- Create a clear, written policy around remote access and device usage.
- Offer quarterly refresher trainings for staff on cyber hygiene.
- Conduct penetration testing or vulnerability assessments annually (or bi-annually) to spot risks before attackers do.
Advantage Security partners with businesses to build smart, scalable solutions that grow with you. From access control and monitoring to comprehensive intrusion detection, our systems are designed to work together—keeping your business protected 24/7, even when you’re out of the office.
Don’t Let a Cyber Threat Ruin Your Summer
Hackers don’t take vacations, but your business can still relax with the right protections in place.
Need help evaluating your cybersecurity setup?
Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn how we can tailor solutions for your unique business environment.