As the year comes to a close, December is the perfect time to pause, review your IT environment, and make sure everything is secure and ready for the new year. With employees taking time off, devices traveling, and cyber threats increasing during the holidays, a little planning now can prevent major headaches later.
Here are a few key areas every business should review before heading into the new year.
- Watch Out for Holiday-Themed Cyber Scams
Cybercriminals take advantage of the busy holiday season by sending phishing emails disguised as:
- Shipping notifications
- Gift card requests
- “Urgent” messages from executives
- Fake Microsoft or password reset alerts
Employees are more distracted this time of year, making these scams more effective. A quick reminder to your team about verifying emails and avoiding suspicious links can go a long way.
- Secure Remote and Traveling Employees
With holiday travel and remote work, employees often log in from new locations and devices. Make sure:
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is enabled for all users
- VPN or secure remote access is being used where appropriate
- Devices are encrypted and kept up to date
Tools like Microsoft Conditional Access help ensure only trusted sign-ins are allowed — even when employees are on the road.
- Review User Access and Permissions
December is a great time to clean up access:
- Remove accounts for former employees
- Review admin-level access (less is more)
- Confirm shared mailboxes and permissions are still needed
Keeping access current reduces risk and improves security going into the new year.
- Plan Ahead for 2026 IT Projects
Use December to start planning:
- PC replacements (especially Windows 10 end-of-life systems)
- Server and network upgrades
- Security improvements like endpoint detection or phishing training
Even a high-level roadmap helps avoid rushed decisions later.
The holidays should be a time to relax — not worry about IT issues. Taking a few proactive steps now can help ensure a smooth, secure transition into the new year. If you’d like help reviewing your IT environment or planning for 2026, the Mavidea team is here to help.
Wishing you and your team a safe, secure, and happy holiday season!
