Thanksgiving break is one of the most common times for cybercriminals to strike. With offices closed and employees traveling, small businesses in Atlanta face higher risks. That’s why sharing simple Thanksgiving security reminders with your team can make a big difference.
This guide gives you a print-ready checklist with quick actions employees should take before they leave: logging out, shutting down, securing devices, and setting out-of-office messages. These small steps help protect your data while everyone enjoys the holiday.
Whether you work in law, real estate, construction, nonprofit, accounting, financial services, or any Atlanta-based SMB, these reminders are essential.
Why Do Thanksgiving Security Reminders Matter?
Thanksgiving security reminders matter because most cyberattacks happen when staff is offline or distracted. This risk grows during holidays when remote access, travel, and long periods of inactivity create easy openings for attackers.
Holiday-related breaches often come from:
- Unattended devices
- Unsecured remote logins
- Rushed employees forgetting to log out
- Weak OOO (out-of-office) email settings
- Devices left in cars, airports, or home environments
Clear reminders can prevent accidents and reduce downtime when everyone returns.
What Should Employees Do Before Leaving for Thanksgiving? (Checklist)
Employees should log out, shut down, secure devices, and set out-of-office messages before the holiday. Below is a simple, print-ready checklist you can share with your team.
Thanksgiving Break Security Checklist
1. Log Out of All Accounts
- Sign out of email, cloud drives, finance apps, and CRM tools.
- Close browser sessions completely.
- Avoid leaving anything open or running in the background.
2. Shut Down Workstations
- Fully power down desktops, laptops, and tablets.
- Do not leave devices in sleep mode or unlocked.
- Unplug unnecessary peripherals when possible.
3. Secure All Devices
- Lock laptops in drawers or safes.
- Never leave devices visible at your desk.
- When traveling, keep equipment with you at all times.
- Use a privacy screen if working in public spaces.
4. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Ensure accounts have MFA turned on before leaving.
- Confirm your verification methods (SMS, app, hardware key) still work.
5. Set Proper Out-of-Office Messages
- Avoid sharing personal travel details.
- Provide a backup contact only if needed.
- Remind clients your team will respond after the break.
6. Update & Back Up Important Files
- Save critical documents to your company’s approved cloud storage.
- Ensure automated backups are running.
- Do not store business files on personal devices.
7. Disconnect Unused USB Devices
- Remove flash drives and external hard drives.
- Clean up unnecessary files that may contain sensitive information.
8. Review Physical Office Security
- Lock all doors, cabinets, and storage rooms.
- Turn off printers, scanners, and shared devices.
- Follow any alarm or closing procedures your office has.
How Can Leaders Share These Thanksgiving Reminders Effectively?
Leaders can share Thanksgiving security reminders through email, team chats, posters, and quick meetings before the holiday. Employees respond best when the instructions are short, clear, and easy to follow.
Ways to communicate reminders:
- Send a short email two days before the break.
- Post the checklist in Slack or Microsoft Teams.
- Print the checklist and place it near doors or workstations.
- Assign managers to confirm their teams completed key items.
A 2 minute reminder can prevent hours or days of post-holiday recovery.
FAQs
Why is Thanksgiving a high-risk time for cyberattacks?
Cybercriminals target holidays because businesses operate with smaller staff, slower response times, and more remote activity. This makes attacks easier and harder to detect.
Should employees turn off their computers before long breaks?
Yes. Shutting down reduces attack surfaces, stops background processes, and prevents unauthorized access while the office is closed.
Are out-of-office messages a security risk?
They can be if they include travel details or personal information. Keep them simple and professional to avoid oversharing.
Should employees take devices home over Thanksgiving?
Only if required. If they do, devices should stay with them, not in cars or unattended areas.
Do small businesses really need a holiday security checklist?
Absolutely. Many breaches happen because of overlooked basics like unlocked computers or forgotten logins.
Thanksgiving break is a great time to relax, but it’s also a time when cyber risks spike for Atlanta small businesses. By sharing this simple checklist, you help your team stay secure and prevent avoidable incidents.
To learn more about how trueITpros can help your business with simple security reminders before Thanksgiving break, contact us at
www.trueitpros.com/contact
