CybersecurityCybersecurity
The festive season is almost here in Malaysia, and you can feel the buzz in the air—Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas, all bringing that mix of excitement and relief after a busy year. For business owners and employees alike, it’s a chance to unwind and celebrate.
But here’s the thing: while we’re planning holiday feasts or chasing online sales, cybercriminals are plotting their next move.
With fewer employees in the office, numerous distractions, and a surge in online shopping, our businesses may feel vulnerable. That’s why cybersecurity for Malaysian businesses during the festive season deserves a spot on our holiday checklist.
So, what exactly should Malaysian businesses watch out for during the holidays, and how can they protect themselves?
You might think that phishing scams are simple to spot, it is nothing new, yet they get trickier during the holidays. Cybercriminals send emails pretending to be your supplier, your boss, or even a big retailer, hoping you’ll click a shady link or spill sensitive info.
In 2025, they’re using AI to make these fakes scarily convincing—think emails that sound just like your CEO. According to Kaspersky, phishing attacks surged globally by 40% in 2023, with notable spikes during festive periods such as year-end holidays.
Their anti-phishing system blocked over 709.6 million phishing attempts in that year alone, highlighting the increased risk businesses face when staff are distracted or away during celebrations.
So, how do we stay safe? It starts with a little know-how. Chat with your team about spotting the signs—emails that push for quick action or feel out of place. Suggest they pick up the phone to double-check anything odd, using a number they already trust, not the one in the email.
Adding a solid email filter, like Barracuda Sentinel or even Google’s built-in tools, can catch these tricks before they land in your inbox. For cybersecurity for Malaysian businesses during the festive season, a bit of caution goes a long way.
During holidays, many businesses operate with fewer IT staff on duty. Hackers love such environments because ransomware attacks are far more likely to succeed when the response is delayed.
A ransomware attack can swiftly encrypt your vital data, causing your business to halt until you settle for a substantial ransom.
The good news? We can prep for this. Make it a habit to back up your files—customer lists, orders, everything—and tuck a copy somewhere safe, like an external drive or a secure cloud.
Tools like Veeam Backup & Replication or AXO Cloud Backup are budget-friendly and easy to set up, even for smaller teams.
Keep your antivirus updated, too—it’s like locking the front door.
If you're concerned about coverage during the holidays, a local managed service provider (MSP) like us can provide round-the-clock monitoring. It’s peace of mind while you’re enjoying the festivities.
With the holidays, some of us are logging in from home, a kampung, or maybe a beachside café. Remote work keeps things humming, but it’s also a weak spot.
Cybercriminals love poking at shaky remote desktop setups or unsecured VPNs, especially if we’re using our laptops or phones. One slip, and they’re in.
So how do we tighten up? Start by insisting on multi-factor authentication (MFA) for every login. While a quick code sent to your phone may seem insignificant, it can effectively thwart hackers, even if they already possess your password.
And please make sure your remote access tools are always up to date.
Those software patches quietly fix security holes you didn’t even know existed. Running a quick vulnerability scan every now and then can also help you catch problems early.
Cybercriminals often use social engineering techniques during the holidays, taking advantage of the festive rush and emotional vulnerability of employees.
These attackers may impersonate trusted individuals, such as senior executives or suppliers, and request urgent financial transactions or sensitive information.
Our defense? Set some ground rules. Tell your team it’s okay to slow down and verify anything fishy. That might mean calling a familiar number instead of replying to an email.
Talk openly about the tactics scammers often use, such as applying pressure or using flattery, so everyone stays alert.
A simple policy like requiring verbal confirmation before any money movement can prevent costly mistakes. It's crucial to maintain focus, despite the emotional impact of the season.
During the festive period, online sales boom, but so does the risk of e-commerce fraud. Hackers frequently compromise online payment systems or create fraudulent websites designed to steal customer data.
We can stay ahead by checking our platforms for weak spots. Think of it as a pre-holiday tune-up.
Switching to a trusted local payment gateway with built-in fraud detection is like hiring a bouncer for your online store.
Share some tips with your customers as well. Remind them to look for HTTPS in the address bar or to set up two-factor authentication on their accounts.
These small steps can build trust and help keep e-commerce security in Malaysia strong.
Here’s something easy to overlook: our phones. Whether we’re answering emails at a mamak stall or tracking orders on the go, mobiles are everywhere during the holidays.
This leaves us vulnerable to SMS scams masquerading as delivery updates, dubious apps, or unsafe public Wi-Fi.
One wrong tap exposes our business data.
Let’s keep it simple—ask everyone to use strong passwords and skip unsecured networks. A tool like Microsoft Intune can lock down work phones if you’ve got them.
Warn your team about clicking random text links, especially those “package arrived” fakes. It’s a quick fix that shores up cybersecurity for Malaysian businesses during the festive season.
It's understandable for staffing to be limited during the holidays, but this often leads to decreased monitoring of cybersecurity threats. This reduced vigilance allows attackers ample time to infiltrate your systems undetected.
Ensure adequate cybersecurity coverage throughout holiday periods. We can lean on a local trusted MSP for ound-the-clock monitoring. AXO Technologies can be a solid pick.
Clear incident response plans should also be established and communicated across your organization to swiftly handle any security breaches.
After the festivities, peeking into our logs can reveal what needs improvement for next time.
The holidays should feel good—full of celebration, not worry. By tackling these risks with some prep and care, we can keep our businesses humming.
For those of us running SMEs, tools like Cloudflare or CyberSecurity Malaysia’s free resources make cybersecurity for Malaysian businesses during the festive season totally doable.
A little training, the right tech, and a few smart habits mean we’re ready for 2025, cyber threats and all.
Here’s to a festive season that’s secure, successful, and stress-free!
Are you concerned about cybersecurity? You’re not alone—but you don’t have to tackle it alone either. At AXO Technologies, we help Malaysian businesses stay ahead of cyber threats with expert risk assessments and top-notch security solutions.
Let’s make your business safer, together. Reach out to AXO Technologies today and take the first step toward a more secure future.
