IT checks are often overlooked in the rush to finish work before Christmas, yet they’re critical to keeping your business secure while your team is away.

For many businesses, the Christmas break is a welcome chance to slow down, spend time with family, and reset before the new year. But from an IT checks and cyber security perspective, this period can be risky. Offices close, staff work irregular hours, and fewer people are monitoring systems, all while cyber criminals remain very active.

At Ashdown Solutions, we support businesses throughout the Christmas period, and every year we see preventable issues cause unnecessary stress. The good news is that a small amount of preparation before you shut down can dramatically reduce your risk and help you return in January without surprises.

Here are 7 essential IT checks every business should complete before turning the lights off for Christmas.

1. Verify Your Backups and Test a Restore

Backups are your safety net, but only if they actually work. Many businesses assume their backups are running, only to discover after an incident that jobs have failed, storage limits have been reached, or data is incomplete.

Before Christmas, you should:

• Confirm all backup jobs are completing successfully
• Ensure critical systems and cloud data are included
• Test a restore to verify data can be recovered

This single step can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major business disruption.

2. Apply Outstanding Updates and Security Patches

Unpatched systems are one of the most common entry points for cyber attacks. Over the Christmas period, vulnerabilities discovered earlier in the year are often actively exploited because attackers know businesses are less responsive.

Before the break:

• Apply operating system updates to all devices
• Patch servers, firewalls, routers, and switches
• Update key business applications and plugins

If patching is delayed until January, you’re leaving the door open over the holidays.

3. Ensure Multi-Factor Authentication Is Enabled Everywhere

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective defences against account compromise. Passwords alone are no longer enough, especially during December when phishing attacks increase.

Check that MFA is enabled on:

• Microsoft 365 and email accounts
• VPNs and remote desktop access
• Cloud applications and admin accounts

If an attacker gets hold of a password over Christmas, MFA can stop them in their tracks.

4. Review and Restrict Remote and Admin Access

Remote access is essential for many businesses, but it needs to be carefully controlled, particularly when offices are closed.

Before Christmas:

• Disable unused remote access and VPN accounts
• Remove admin rights where they’re no longer needed
• Confirm access is restricted by location or device where possible

Reducing unnecessary access significantly lowers your attack surface during the holiday period.

5. Check Endpoint Protection and Monitoring

Antivirus and endpoint detection tools should be active, up to date, and reporting correctly. A common mistake is assuming protection is in place without verifying it.

Before you switch off:

• Confirm endpoint protection is installed on all devices
• Check that alerts are monitored out of hours
• Ensure failed or inactive devices are investigated

Without monitoring, threats can go undetected for days or weeks.

6. Disable Dormant and Former Staff Accounts

Dormant user accounts are a favourite target for cyber criminals. These accounts often go unnoticed, making them ideal for attackers to exploit.

Before the break:

• Disable accounts belonging to former employees or contractors
• Remove temporary access that is no longer required
• Review shared mailboxes and admin accounts

This simple housekeeping task can remove a major security risk.

7. Confirm Your Christmas IT Support and Incident Plan

If something goes wrong over Christmas, do you know exactly who to call? Many businesses don’t, and that uncertainty can cost valuable time.

Before the break:

• Confirm your IT support availability over Christmas
• Share emergency contact details with key staff
• Document a simple incident response plan

If you are looking for IT checks, working with a proactive partner like Ashdown Solutions ensures you’re not left unsupported when it matters most.

Why These Checks Matter

The Christmas period is not just about security, it’s about continuity. A cyber incident, system outage, or data loss over the holidays can delay your January restart, impact customer confidence, and cost far more than fixing small issues now.

Completing these checks helps ensure:

• Your systems are protected while staff are away
• Problems are detected quickly, not weeks later
• You return to business as usual in the new year

Let Ashdown Solutions Help You Prepare

If you’re short on time or want expert reassurance, Ashdown Solutions offers a Free Cyber Security Review. We’ll check your systems, identify any gaps, and make sure your business is secure before the Christmas break.

Book a call to find out how we can help you.

A little preparation now means a calmer, more secure start to the new year.

Understand your people risk before attackers do.

Our free Human Risk Report identifies how your employees could unintentionally expose your business to cyber security threats from phishing to poor password habits. You’ll get clear, actionable insights on where your biggest vulnerabilities lie and practical steps to strengthen your defences.

Start your IT checks today and book your free Human Risk Report today and start turning human risk into human resilience.