The holiday season is a time for celebration, but for organizations, it also brings heightened security challenges. With many employees traveling or working remotely, facilities often operate with reduced staffing, creating opportunities for bad actors to exploit vulnerabilities. Proactive planning is essential to safeguard assets and maintain operational continuity during this period.
When fewer employees are on-site, response times slow, and empty offices become attractive targets. Property crimes spike during the holidays: U.S. data shows property crimes increase by 10–15% in December compared to other months. Opportunistic theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access are common issues. Cyber threats also surge, as attackers exploit distracted teams and unattended systems. In fact, more than half of ransomware attacks occur during holidays or weekends, making this season particularly risky for organizations that rely on remote connectivity.
Physical security gaps are one of the most pressing concerns. Reduced staff presence makes it easier for bad actors to tailgate or force entry. FBI data shows property crimes peaked in December 2024 with 66,676 incidents - a 10.8% jump from November. Retail theft alone rises by 14% during holiday months, and similar trends affect office spaces and warehouses. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities also escalate during this time. Holiday-themed phishing and account takeover attacks spike sharply; researchers tracked a 92% increase in malicious configurations targeting retail and a 400% increase against hospitality sectors ahead of the holiday season. Environmental hazards, such as winter storms, can further complicate matters by causing outages or damage if not properly monitored.
To mitigate these risks, organizations should strengthen access control by updating credentials, deactivating unused badges, and restricting access to non-essential areas. Surveillance and monitoring systems should be tested to ensure cameras and alarms are fully operational, and remote monitoring or third-party security services can provide continuous oversight. Cybersecurity measures are equally critical, such as implementing multi-factor authentication for remote access, patching systems before staff leave, and communicating clear guidelines for secure remote work practices. Emergency preparedness is another key step: distribute updated contact lists and escalation procedures, and conduct quick refresher drills to ensure readiness. Finally, visitor and delivery management should be tightened by using digital systems to track entries and limiting non-essential traffic during low-staff periods.
The holiday season should be a time of celebration, not concern. By taking proactive steps, strengthening physical security, reinforcing cybersecurity, and preparing for emergencies, organizations can minimize risks and maintain a safe, secure environment. A layered approach ensures that even when staffing is reduced, your facility remains protected.
Author: Harris Rowe, Marketing and Design Operations Specialist at Safeguards Consulting, Inc.
References
2024 ransomware holiday risk report. (2025, November 18). Semperis. https://www.semperis.com/resources/2024-ransomware-holiday-risk-report/
Crime trends in U.S. cities: Year-end 2024 update - Council on criminal justice. (2025, January 28). My WordPress. https://counciloncj.org/crime-trends-in-u-s-cities-year-end-2024-update/
FBI Releases 2024 Reported Crimes in the Nation Statistics. (n.d.). FBI News. https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-2024-reported-crimes-in-the-nation-statistics
Karen Dooley. (2025, November 25). As holiday shopping season nears, UF experts warn retail theft is growing more sophisticated. News | University of Florida. https://news.ufl.edu/2025/11/uf-lprc-warns-of-growing-retail-theft/
