NEWS
Semperis study reveals that the majority of ransomware attacks continue to occur during holidays and weekends
Semperis, a leading provider of AI-powered identity security and cyber-resilience, has released results from a global ransomware study underscoring that the majority of ransomware attacks continue to occur on holidays and weekends, when cybersecurity staffing is reduced. In addition, the study shows ransomware groups also intensify their attacks during corporate material business events, including mergers, acquisitions, IPOs and layoffs, to exploit organisational disruption and reduced security focus.
“ Threat actors continue to take advantage of reduced cybersecurity staffing on holidays and weekends to launch ransomware attacks. Vigilance during these times is more critical than ever because the persistence and patience attackers have can lead to long lasting business disruptions,” said Chris Inglis, the first US National Cyber Director and Semperis Strategic Advisor.“ In addition, corporate material events such as mergers and acquisitions often create distractions and ambiguity in governance and accountability – exactly the environment ransomware groups thrive on.”
The report, titled 2025 Holiday Ransomware Risk Report, found that 52 % of surveyed organisations in the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Singapore, Canada, Australia and New Zealand were targeted on holidays or weekends. Alarmingly, 78 % of companies cut security operation centre( SOC) staffing by 50 % or more during holidays and weekends, while 6 % cut their SOC staffing entirely during these same times. Sixty percent of attacks occurred following an IPO, merger or acquisition or round of layoffs.
The business travel‘ wellbeing gap’: Companies failing to support staff on the move
UK businesses risk falling behind when it comes to caring for their travelling workforce, new research has found, with many mobile employees reporting fatigue, stress and a lack of meaningful support while on the road.
The Reinventing the Journey: The Voice of the Field Worker report found that many companies lack structured wellbeing measures for their travelling workforce, such as wellness budgets, mandatory rest periods or flexible travel policies.
The findings, commissioned by workforce travel platform, Roomex, reveal that while travel is essential for many roles, the systems supporting it are leaving staff fatigued, stressed and increasingly dissatisfied.
Meanwhile, 58 % of travel bookers cite last-minute bookings that limit comfort and choice, and 48 % of workers admit that travel stress contributes directly to job dissatisfaction.
While businesses have made major strides in officebased wellbeing over recent years, the report shows that field-based and mobile workers are being left out of the conversation. This is creating a growing wellbeing divide between those in the office and those on the move.
For many, this stress is part of a wider wellbeing challenge. A third( 33 %) of workers across all sectors report poor work / life balance due to frequent or long-distance travel, while 34 % struggle to access healthy food options while away from home. Those in construction, logistics and rail are the most likely to experience fatigue and stress from extended time away.
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