Out of Office, Not Out of Danger: How to Stay Secure During Vacation Season

Summer is finally here, and that means it's time for vacation! Your team has been working hard for the past few months, and they all deserve some well-earned rest and relaxation. Whether they are heading to the shore or hopping on a plane, one thing is clear: cybercriminals don’t take vacations. 

In fact, quite the opposite. Vacation season is the prime time for opportunistic attacks. With employees out of the office, remote work on the rise, and devices traveling far beyond the firewall, your business security is more vulnerable during vacation than you might think. But that doesn’t mean you can’t unplug yourself. It just means you need to secure your systems and set expectations before anyone sets their out-of-office reply. 

Here’s how to keep your data and devices safe this summer. 

🌐 1. Educate Your Team on Remote Work Best Practices 

Vacations often include checking emails from unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks — hotels, airports, cafés, and even airplanes. These networks are often unsecured, making them a prime target for “man-in-the-middle” attacks. 

Quick Tips: 

• Avoid logging into sensitive systems from public Wi-Fi. Use a VPN if remote access is necessary. 

• Turn off auto-connect features on mobile devices and laptops. 

• Be cautious about clicking links or downloading files while traveling. 

  
  

🔐 2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere 

If you do one thing this summer to boost your business’s cybersecurity, let it be MFA. Even if someone’s credentials are compromised,  access to your data is still blocked without a secondary form of verification with multi-factor authentication in place. 

This should be a simple, non-negotiable part of your security stack. 

📱 3. Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) 

If employees are traveling with company devices, MDM software gives you visibility and control — even if a phone or laptop is lost or stolen. You can remotely wipe sensitive data, enforce security policies, and monitor usage from a centralized dashboard. 

At NIT, we help you implement and manage these tools so you can focus on your vacation instead of worrying about lost or stolen devices. 

🧳 4. Plan Ahead: Who’s Watching the Fort? 

It’s not just tech that needs to be secure — your operations do too. Make sure someone is monitoring alerts, backup systems, and critical communications while key staff are away. 

We often recommend creating a coverage plan for summer months that includes: 

• Delegated responsibilities 

• Emergency contacts 

• Access control updates 

• Scheduled check-ins (if necessary) 

With proactive planning, nothing falls through the cracks while your team is recharging. 

☀️ Don't Let Security Threaten Your During Vacation 

Whether your staff is fully remote or just checking in from the beach, a solid cybersecurity posture ensures your business stays protected — even when the office is empty. 

At NIT, we help businesses put smart systems in place to stay one step ahead of evolving threats. If you'd like help securing your environment before your team hits the road, let’s talk. We can review your current policies, remote access setup, and endpoint protection. We’ll help you close any gaps — so you can get some rest without risking a breach. 

Ready for your pre-summer checkup? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.