How Vacation Schedules Open the Door to Cyberattacks

As summer rolls in and vacation season ramps up, most law firms are focused on balancing workloads, meeting deadlines, and making sure everyone gets a chance to recharge. But there’s something many attorneys overlook during this time: cybercriminals don’t take vacations.

In fact, vacation season creates prime opportunities for hackers to exploit your firm’s reduced staff, limited oversight, and relaxed security habits.

Let’s break down why your law firm is more vulnerable during vacation season — and what you can do to protect yourself.

Why Cyber Risks Increase When Staff Are Out

When employees — especially key decision-makers or IT contacts — are away, law firms often face:

• Slower Response Times: Security alerts, unusual login attempts, or suspicious emails may go unnoticed.

• Weakened Approval Processes: With backups handling tasks, phishing emails disguised as urgent requests can easily slip through.

• More Remote Access: Staff working from vacation spots might connect through unsecured networks, increasing exposure to man-in-the-middle attacks.

• Overworked Remaining Staff: With reduced teams, employees may rush through tasks and overlook basic cybersecurity protocols.

How Hackers Exploit Vacation Season

Cybercriminals are strategic. Here’s how they typically take advantage:

• Phishing Scams: They send emails that look like they’re from vacationing partners or managers, requesting wire transfers, password resets, or confidential files.

• Social Engineering: They monitor out-of-office replies to learn who’s away and who’s covering, then craft emails that appear more convincing.

• Brute Force Attacks: With less active oversight, hackers may attempt password attacks knowing they might not be detected quickly.

Real-World Example: The “CEO on Vacation” Scam

A Long Island accounting firm recently faced a phishing attack where a hacker impersonated the vacationing managing partner. The hacker requested an urgent transfer of funds, knowing that the assistant covering for the partner was less familiar with these processes. The firm lost tens of thousands of dollars in under an hour.

This same tactic is now frequently used against law firms, where client trust and sensitive information are on the line.

How to Protect Your Law Firm During Vacation Season

1. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere.
   Even if a password is compromised, MFA adds a critical layer of protection.

2. Update Out-of-Office Policies.
   Avoid including too much detail in out-of-office replies. Don’t name who is covering — just provide a general contact like “our support team.”

3. Run Phishing Awareness Reminders.
   Send out a quick refresher email to staff about verifying unusual requests, especially those involving money or credentials.

4. Have a Vacation Cybersecurity Plan.
   Schedule someone to monitor security alerts daily, even if your primary IT contact is away.

5. Work with a Managed IT Provider.
   A reliable IT partner can provide 24/7 monitoring, quick response times, and backup support when your team is thin.

Stay Secure, Even When You’re Away

Your law firm’s security posture shouldn’t take time off just because your team does. By planning ahead and tightening your cybersecurity protocols during vacation season, you can protect your firm’s reputation, your clients’ data, and your bottom line.

If you need extra coverage or want to review your law firm’s cybersecurity readiness this summer, ETS IT Solutions is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.