A season for fireworks… and for cyber sparks
Bonfire Night is one of the UK’s favourite autumn traditions — fireworks lighting the sky, the smell of bonfires in the air, and a moment to gather and celebrate.
But just like a stray spark can set off an unwanted blaze, one careless click or missed update can ignite a serious problem in your business.
As we move into November, it’s not just fireworks that are lighting up — cyber threats are, too. The festive build-up is one of the busiest times of year for cyber criminals targeting distracted teams and overworked inboxes.
Seasonal scams: when hackers strike hardest
It’s no coincidence that cyber attacks spike towards the end of the year. Employees are winding down, inboxes are overflowing, and financial transactions increase with Christmas spending and year-end projects.
Common scams at this time of year include:
🎁 Fake delivery notifications – Emails or texts claiming to be from Royal Mail, DPD, or Amazon asking for small “redelivery” fees.
💳 Invoice fraud – Fraudsters sending lookalike invoices that appear to come from genuine suppliers or partners.
💼 CEO impersonation emails – Urgent messages from “management” requesting payments or password changes.
🛍️ Online shopping scams – Phishing links that lead to fake websites designed to harvest login details or payment info.
Even one click on a malicious link can unleash ransomware, data theft, or weeks of downtime. And during peak holiday periods, recovery takes even longer.
The embers of weak protection
Many SMEs still rely on outdated or unmanaged antivirus tools — systems that might detect a virus after it’s too late. Without active monitoring, patching, or staff awareness, a single breach can smoulder unnoticed until it spreads.
If you haven’t reviewed your cyber security setup since spring, now’s the time. November is the perfect month to strengthen your defences before festive distractions kick in.
Managed EDR: your digital fire extinguisher
Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) is like having fire alarms and extinguishers installed across your digital workplace — but smarter.
A managed EDR service constantly monitors your devices for suspicious behaviour, isolates threats instantly, and alerts cyber specialists who can respond in real time.
Instead of hoping traditional antivirus catches everything, you have a proactive system that:
Detects unusual behaviour before it causes harm
Responds automatically to neutralise threats
Provides expert analysis and rapid recovery
Think of it as a fire crew on standby 24/7, ready to act before the flames spread.
Patch management: stopping sparks before they start
Unpatched software is one of the leading causes of cyber incidents. Hackers actively search for systems running outdated versions of Windows, browsers, or applications — then exploit known weaknesses.
Automated Patch Management ensures every workstation, server, and laptop receives the latest security fixes directly from Microsoft and other vendors. No more “we’ll do it later” updates that turn into expensive breaches.
Regular patching is like keeping your fire doors closed — simple, but essential.
Staff training: prevent human error from lighting the match
Even the best technology can’t stop a user clicking on a phishing link. That’s why Cyber Security Awareness Training is one of the most effective defences you can deploy.
Interactive, bite-sized training helps staff recognise scams and think twice before clicking. Simulated phishing tests identify where more learning is needed — without real-world consequences.
With new threats emerging every month, a continuous learning platform keeps your team one step ahead of attackers.
Why November matters
The weeks leading up to Christmas are when businesses are most vulnerable:
Key decision-makers are on leave
IT changes are frozen until the new year
Teams are focused on targets, not threats
By acting now — before December’s distractions — you can head into 2026 (and the festive break) knowing your systems are secure, updated, and monitored.
Ready to fireproof your business?
Johnson Technical helps UK organisations protect their systems, data, and people through proactive cyber security services.
From Managed EDR and Patch Management to Security Awareness Training, our team makes sure your defences are ready for whatever sparks may come your way.
🔥 Don’t wait for the alarm to sound — book your free Cyber Security Assessment today.
#CyberSecurity #CyberAwareness #BusinessProtection #ManagedEDR #MakeITOurBusinessSoYouCanRunYours
