The holiday season is here—sales are up, to-do lists are longer than ever, and your team is juggling work with holiday plans. But while everyone’s focused on the festive spirit, your IT infrastructure faces new pressures that can turn small problems into holiday havoc. So, how can you make sure your business technology doesn’t let you down during the holiday rush? Let’s look at the unique holiday IT challenges and how proactive solutions can keep your business merry and bright.

Higher Network Loads: Keep Traffic Flowing with DNS Management and Content Filtering

During the holidays, it’s common for employees to shop online from their work computers, putting extra load on your network. This increased usage, along with customer-facing systems, creates bandwidth congestion, impacting applications and slowing productivity. This non-work-related browsing isn’t just a productivity killer—it’s a security risk. With so many compromised or fake websites circulating, this activity can not only slow your network to a crawl but introduce your business to a world of holiday buyer’s remorse.

Proactive Solution: Content Filtering and DNS Management
Content filtering and DNS management limit non-essential traffic and prioritize business-critical activities. Many DNS filters proactively block malicious sites—a holiday gift that keeps on giving!

Increased Phishing and Scam Emails: Defend Against Cyber Threats with Email Security and Training

The holiday season is prime time for cybercriminals, who capitalize on the busy atmosphere with scams, phishing emails, and social engineering. With higher volumes of spam and phishing emails, employees are at greater risk of falling for credential theft or malware. Sad yet true, cybercriminals will exploit anyone they can.

Proactive Solution: Email Security and Security Awareness Training
Advanced email security filters out suspicious messages before they reach inboxes, and security awareness training helps your team spot phishing and social engineering attempts. Together, they create a “human firewall” that’s especially vital during high-risk periods. And don’t forget to share security training with older family members—they’re at risk too.

Public Wi-Fi Risks in Retail Spaces: Protect Shoppers and Employees with VPNs and SASE

Picture the scene: a coffee bar full of shoppers and remote workers connecting to free public Wi-Fi, likely unaware of the risks. Free Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s also a prime opportunity for hackers to intercept sensitive data or set up rogue access points. Unsecured networks can be a goldmine for data theft, especially during financial transactions.

Proactive Solution: VPNs and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
Educate employees and encourage customers to avoid financial transactions on public Wi-Fi. A strong VPN on mobile devices and laptops—or a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solution—provides safe, encrypted connections wherever they go.

Traffic Bottlenecks: Micro-Segmenting to Improve Security and Reduce Data Congestion

Businesses often experience bottlenecks when VoIP phone systems, guest Wi-Fi, and corporate data share the same network. During high-demand periods, this setup can cause frustrating delays in call quality and data applications. It can also be a security gap large enough for Santa’s sleigh! Mixing guest or non-business traffic on your corporate Wi-Fi can quickly bring compromised devices into the holiday party mix.

Proactive Solution: Network Micro-Segmentation
Micro-segmenting your network by traffic type improves security and keeps network congestion in check. Separate VoIP from data networks to retain call quality, especially critical if your business relies on phone sales. Isolating guest Wi-Fi is equally important, with a single path to the internet only—no local access. If you’re in retail, placing your wireless payment systems on a secure, hidden network reduces PCI-DSS scope and lowers security risks. Network segmentation means optimized security and performance when your team and customers need it most.

Unpatched Firewalls and Access Points: Close Security Gaps with a Network Security Assessment

Outdated firewalls, access points, and unpatched software create easy entry points for cybercriminals. A single breach can be catastrophic, especially during the holidays when attackers know companies are focused on sales and customer service. Plus, older devices often can’t handle high bandwidth demands, creating both security and performance issues.

Proactive Solution: Annual Network Security Assessments
An annual network security assessment closes security and performance gaps by ensuring firewalls, routers, and access points are updated and compliant. Regular assessments also identify traffic bottlenecks and connectivity issues before they become a holiday buzzkill, keeping your network both secure and efficient.

Old, Slow PCs: Boost Productivity with Lifecycle Management

Nothing frustrates employees more than slow, outdated computers, and holiday stress can make this worse. Older PCs struggle to keep up with high-demand applications, causing delays and dropping morale. Plus, these devices are more vulnerable to security risks, as they often lack modern protections like full-disk encryption.

Proactive Solution: Device Lifecycle Management
Implementing a lifecycle management plan keeps your technology updated and ready for peak demand. Routine upgrades improve productivity, security, and employee satisfaction. Want an extra holiday bonus? Upgrading an outdated PC can pay for itself in as little as four months thanks to productivity gains—truly a gift that keeps on giving!

Putting It All Together: Security First, Performance Second

During the holiday season, prioritizing Security First, Performance Second is key to success. By addressing these challenges with proactive IT strategies, you can avoid costly disruptions, keep employees productive, and deliver excellent customer service—without worrying about tech meltdowns.

Are You Ready for a Proactive IT Partner?

The holiday season is no time for IT issues. With a trusted IT partner, you can secure your network, optimize performance, and ensure your technology is ready to handle the holiday rush.

Don’t wait until a tech meltdown ruins your holiday season. We’re offering a FREE Network Assessment to help identify vulnerabilities and recommend solutions tailored to your business. Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment or call us at 413-786-9675.

Don’t let technology challenges ruin your holiday spirit. Get proactive with your IT and enjoy a season free from tech troubles!