Staying Safe in the Sun

Before you cover yourself in factor 50, make sure your IT network is equally covered.

It’s that time of year again.

With the kids on summer break and a sunny getaway calling your name, it’s the perfect moment to step away from the office for some well-deserved relaxation - because let’s face it, if you’re in the UK or Ireland, all you’re going to get is a few days here and there!

So, you leave all your worries behind, check in on Facebook at the airport bar and jet off to enjoy yourself for a week.  

But surprise! There’s someone malicious out there who’s watching you and waiting to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Hackers will often wait until they know an individual will be out of office before they strike. Why? There’s a greater chance of them going unnoticed - by both the individual whose account they use to gain access and their fellow staff or peers.

We should treat our IT networks with the same care and protection as we would ourselves when on holiday. Just as you’d take precautions like applying sunscreen or locking up your valuables, your IT network needs the same level of protection.

So, we’ve put together a list of ‘holiday dos and don’ts’ to keep you right. 

Do: 

• Activate your ‘Out of Office’ status to alert your colleagues and email contacts that you will be off on leave so they can monitor for any suspicious activity. 

• Back up your data to avoid losing important files. No one wants to return from a relaxing holiday to find out the project they’ve been working on has vanished, regardless of whether it's due to being hacked or not.

• Perform any software updates required before you head off. These updates often contain security patches that protect against known vulnerabilities, keeping your system safe from malware and exploits.

Don’t: 

• Leave your computer in Sleep Mode whilst you’re away. A machine in sleep mode could still be vulnerable to cyberattacks, especially if it's connected to the internet. It’s safer to shut it down completely.

• Actively post live on social media that you are on holiday as hackers could be watching and waiting for the best time to strike. You can always update your social media upon your return. 

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your relaxing holiday is actually that: relaxing. Rather than spending your time on the phone with the IT department trying to resolve a cyber-attack, you can give yourself and your team the peace of mind that your IT network is safe. If you’re unsure of anything, you can also always chat to a member of our team for the best advice on what security to implement or to ease any of your concerns. 

But most importantly, enjoy your hard-earned time off!