The holiday season should be a time for celebration—not stress about data breaches or misplaced documents. Yet every December, businesses unknowingly expose themselves to higher data security risks. With staff taking time off, more visitors entering offices, and year-end cleanouts happening quickly, sensitive information becomes especially vulnerable.
To help you finish the year with confidence, here are the top five holiday data security risks companies overlook, plus simple steps to keep your information protected.
1. Reduced Staffing Leaves Sensitive Documents Unattended
During the holidays, fewer employees are on site, which means documents often sit on desks, printers, or shared tables much longer than usual. Unfortunately, this increases the chance of unauthorized access—whether intentional or accidental.
Why it’s a risk:
- Unlocked offices or storage areas
- Overflowing shredding bins
- Visitors and contractors walking through unmonitored spaces
How to prevent it:
- Secure all documents in locked cabinets before leaving for the day
- Schedule a pre-holiday shredding pickup
- Encourage employees to clear desks before PTO
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), proper physical document control is a core security requirement. You can read more about NIST recommendations here:
https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
2. Increase in Holiday-Themed Phishing and Social Engineering
Cybercriminals know people are distracted during the holidays. As a result, phishing attacks spike in December. These scams often look convincing and may include holiday discounts, shipping notices, or even fake internal messages.
Common holiday phishing examples:
- “Your package failed to deliver—click here to reschedule”
- Fake “end-of-year bonus” messages
- Urgent emails impersonating executives
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that phishing increases significantly during holiday months due to seasonal themes, emotional triggers, and busy schedules.
https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance
Prevention tips:
- Remind staff to verify links before clicking
- Turn on multi-factor authentication where possible
- Update passwords before the holiday break
3. Year-End Cleanouts Without Secure Disposal Processes
As teams rush to declutter before the new year, old files and outdated records are often thrown away incorrectly. Many businesses still assume “recycling” or “ripping by hand” counts as secure disposal—but it doesn’t.
What often gets tossed incorrectly:
- Outdated invoices
- Customer lists
- HR files
- Printed emails with sensitive information
- Old financial statements
Improperly discarded documents are one of the leading causes of corporate identity theft.
How to prevent it:
- Use certified shredding services (especially for large purges)
- Follow your document retention policy
- Encourage staff to use locked bins instead of personal trash cans
Once you’re ready to take action, explore our One-Time Purge Services, which help businesses securely dispose of documents that shouldn’t be carried into the new year.
4. Temp or Seasonal Staff Aren’t Fully Trained
Seasonal employees often help during the busiest months, but they may not receive complete data privacy or compliance training. Even if their assignments seem small—like sorting mail, handling invoices, or managing front-desk tasks—they can still come across sensitive information.
Risks include:
- Leaving documents out
- Mishandling shredded materials
- Not recognizing sensitive PII
- Improperly disposing of confidential mail or packages
Prevention tips:
- Provide quick training on handling sensitive documents
- Restrict access to confidential areas
- Use “secure disposal only” signage to guide new staff
5. Employees Traveling or Working Remotely With Documents
The holidays send employees out of the office—often with laptops, printed materials, and client files. While remote work is convenient, it also introduces several physical-security risks.
Common scenarios:
- Printing work documents at home
- Leaving laptops in cars or hotel rooms
- Using public Wi-Fi without a VPN
- Transporting documents in backpacks or tote bags
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warns that public Wi-Fi and travel environments significantly increase the likelihood of data loss or theft.
https://www.cisa.gov
Prevention tips:
- Require lock screens and encrypted devices
- Remind staff not to travel with unnecessary documents
- Offer secure document disposal before holiday PTO
How Shred Instead Helps Protect Your Business During the Holidays
While many holiday risks relate to digital threats, physical documents remain one of the most commonly overlooked security gaps. A secure shredding service eliminates the possibility of confidential paperwork ending up in the wrong hands.
Shred Instead’s NAID AAA-certified process ensures:
✔ Strict chain of custody
✔ Onsite verification
✔ Secure, compliant destruction
✔ Eco-friendly recycling afterward
Whether you need a one-time year-end purge or recurring shredding, we help your business step into the new year confident and compliant.
Final Takeaway
As the holiday season approaches, businesses must stay proactive about both digital and physical data protection. While staffing changes and year-end busyness make this time of year risky, simple steps—combined with secure document destruction—can significantly reduce the chance of a breach.
If you’re ready to schedule a holiday purge or need help securing your documents before 2026, Shred Instead is here to help.
