- Cybercriminals ramp up attacks during summer, when vigilance is lower.
- Consistent security awareness training is essential to prevent breaches during peak vacation months.
- Start strengthening your cybersecurity posture prior to the summer by implementing microtraining, phishing simulations and access controls.
As business slows down for the summer, cybercriminals ramp up their efforts. With key personnel on leave, temporary staff in place, and fewer eyes on inboxes, the warmer months present a perfect storm for phishing attacks. At Nimblr, we believe this seasonal shift underscores the importance of proactive, continuous security awareness training, starting well before out-of-office messages go live.
"A single missed red flag can lead to significant damage, especially when fewer resources are available to respond quickly."
The hidden risks behind summer downtime
Cyber threats don’t take vacations. On the contrary, the summer months often see an increase in phishing attempts. Why? Because attackers understand how organizational behavior shifts during this period and know how to capitalize on them.
- Auto-replies open the door to social engineering
Hackers scan for automated out-of-office responses to impersonate employees and reroute sensitive communication. A simple “Contact John while I’m away” gives threat actors a roadmap to exploit internal relationships. Learn how social engineering attacks works. - Fewer staff, slower detection
With IT, HR, and finance teams often operating at reduced capacity, suspicious emails can go unnoticed for longer periods. A single missed red flag can lead to significant damage, especially when fewer resources are available to respond quickly. - Temporary hires, permanent risks
Interns and short-term staff typically receive limited cybersecurity training. Hackers take advantage of their inexperience, targeting them with deceptive emails that more seasoned employees might flag instantly. - Decision fatigue sets in
Those left to “hold down the fort” often face heavier workloads, making them more prone to clicking on harmful links without due scrutiny. Fatigue and urgency lower defenses, which is a fact cybercriminals count on.
Three reasons to launch training before summer
Postponing security awareness training until mid-summer can leave your business exposed. Here's why a pre-season approach is not just strategic, but essential:
- Awareness isn’t instant
Security awareness isn’t something that clicks overnight. Our microlearning methodology is built around consistency. Starting now ensures your team is alert and well-prepared by peak vacation season.
Explore how security awareness training works - Prevention is cost-effective
The cost of proactive training is negligible compared to the fallout from a successful breach, especially when your cybersecurity response is understaffed.
Understand the cost-benefit of investing in cybersecurit - Avoid Q3 recovery chaos
Incidents that occur during summer often surface when everyone returns. Instead of playing catch-up in Q3, smart organizations use this time to focus on growth, not recovery.
Practical measures to strengthen your summer cybersecurity posture
- Deploy ongoing microtraining before summer begins to build awareness.
Implement training with these seven steps - Use simulated phishing attacks to prepare employees for real threats in realistic scenarios. Explore our phishing simulations
- Implement strict access controls and MFA—especially on devices used remotely. Reduce risk with an anti-phishing policy
- Maintain visibility with regular reminders, executive involvement, and measurable KPIs. See how the NIS2 directive affects your cybersecurity strategy
Security awareness is a year-round priority – but timing matters
At Nimblr, we see employees as your most valuable cybersecurity asset, not your weakest link. When they’re equipped with the right training at the right time, they become a resilient first line of defense, even during the most vulnerable seasons.
Let’s make sure your team is ready.
Learn more about our approach to security awareness training
