The festive season is all about joy, relaxation, and… tech troubles? For businesses, Christmas and New Year can bring unique IT issues, from overworked systems to holiday hackers. At Novo IT, we see recurring issues during this time, so we’ve put together a handy guide to help your business stay ahead of them.

1. Outdated Software Meets Year-End Updates

Many businesses wind down over the holidays, but software providers don’t. Critical updates and patches are often released at the end of the year. If updates are skipped or postponed, your systems could start the new year vulnerable to bugs or security threats.

Our Tip: Schedule software updates during quiet periods or enable automatic updates where possible. Just ensure backups are in place first!

2. Seasonal Cybersecurity Scams

Hackers don’t take holidays. In fact, phishing attacks and scams spike over Christmas, targeting businesses and employees distracted by festivities. From fake e-gift cards to fraudulent invoices, the threats are endless.

Our Tip: Train your team to spot phishing emails, especially if they’re working remotely. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is also a must to secure accounts.

3. Remote Access and VPN Struggles

With employees working from home or logging in from afar, VPNs and remote access systems can get overloaded. A sudden influx of users or untested configurations can cause slowdowns—or lockouts.

Our Tip: Test remote access systems in advance and ensure everyone has the correct permissions and credentials

4. Hardware Failures and Neglected Maintenance

End-of-year exhaustion isn’t just for people—computers can feel it too. Overworked hardware, like servers and workstations, is more likely to fail if it hasn’t been properly maintained.

Our Tip: Schedule a health check for your hardware before the holiday rush and ensure any essential repairs or upgrades are done.

5. Email Overload and Spam Filters

The festive season is prime time for marketing emails, and inboxes get flooded with newsletters, holiday offers, and automated responses. Spam filters can misbehave, either blocking legitimate messages or letting junk through.

Our Tip: Review your spam settings and whitelist key contacts to avoid missing important communications.

6. Forgotten Password Panic

With staff taking time off, password resets become a common request—especially for those logging in after a relaxing holiday and forgetting their credentials.

Our Tip: Encourage the use of a password manager to reduce forgotten passwords, and make sure your support team has a quick process for resets.

7. The Post-Holiday Rush

When everyone returns in January, IT teams often face a flood of issues: failed backups, outdated antivirus software, and lingering bugs from December. The new year is also a popular time for onboarding new tools and systems, which can add extra pressure.

Our Tip: Plan ahead. Work with your IT provider to ensure your systems are ready for the post-holiday surge.

Stay Merry and Bright with Proactive IT Support

Christmas and New Year are busy times, but with a little preparation, your IT systems can stay as jolly as the season. At Novo IT, we’re here to help, whether it’s planning ahead or tackling unexpected tech troubles.

Need support to keep things running smoothly over the holidays? Give us a call—we’ve got your back!

Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools based on prompts and guidance provided by Novo IT Ltd.