Every summer, Shark Week reminds us that the greatest dangers in the water are often the ones we can't see. Cybersecurity works much the same way.

The biggest threats facing businesses today rarely begin with dramatic hacking scenes or obvious warning signs. Instead, they often start with a single email, an overlooked vendor account, or an employee trying to work quickly during a busy day.

During the summer months, businesses throughout Morgantown, Clarksburg and the surrounding region often experience changing schedules, employee vacations, and reduced staffing. Unfortunately, cybercriminals know this—and they take advantage of it.

Here are three of the biggest cybersecurity risks we see during the summer months.

1. Business Email Compromise (BEC): When an Email Looks Completely Legitimate

Not every cyberattack involves breaking into your network. Some of the most expensive attacks begin with a convincing email that appears to come from someone your team already trusts.

This is known as Business Email Compromise (BEC). A message appears to come from:

  • A vendor requesting updated payment information
  • Your company's president or owner
  • An attorney
  • An accountant
  • A trusted supplier

The email looks legitimate. The payment gets sent. Only afterward does anyone realize the request was fraudulent.

Vacation season makes these attacks even more effective because employees often approve requests outside their normal responsibilities while coworkers are away.

 

How to Protect Your Business

 Create a simple verification policy. Before changing payment instructions or sending funds, require employees to verify the request using a known phone number—not the contact information provided in the email.

That one step can prevent many costly scams.

 

2. Phishing Attacks Target Busy Employees

Cybercriminals don't just exploit technology—they exploit human behavior. When employees are juggling deadlines, covering for coworkers, or working remotely, they're more likely to click before thinking.

Common examples include:

  • Fake Microsoft 365 login pages
  • Password reset notifications
  • Multi-factor authentication prompts
  • Fake shipping notices
  • Requests for urgent wire transfers
  • Text messages pretending to be from IT support

The most effective defense isn't simply better software. It's creating a workplace culture where employees feel comfortable slowing down and verifying suspicious requests.

A thirty-second pause can prevent weeks of downtime.

 

3. Third-Party Vendors Can Become Your Weakest Link

Most organizations rely on outside vendors every day.

  • Accounting firms.
  • Cloud software providers.
  • Phone vendors.
  • Managed print companies.
  • Payroll services.
  • Equipment vendors.
  • Remote support providers.

Each relationship may involve access to your systems, Microsoft 365 environment, financial information, or sensitive business data. The question isn't whether you trust your vendors.

It's whether you know exactly:

  • Which vendors have access to your systems
  • What level of access they have
  • Whether inactive accounts have been removed
  • Who is responsible for reviewing that access

Every vendor connection expands your digital footprint, making regular reviews an essential part of cybersecurity.

Summer Is the Perfect Time for a Cybersecurity Checkup

Many organizations use the slower pace of summer to catch up on maintenance projects, evaluate budgets, and prepare for the busy fall season.

It's also an excellent opportunity to review:

  • User permissions
  • Vendor access
  • Microsoft 365 security settings
  • Backup testing
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Employee cybersecurity awareness training
  • Incident response procedures

Addressing these areas now can significantly reduce the likelihood of costly disruptions later in the year.

How Literati Information Technology Helps Local Businesses Stay Protected

 At Literati Information Technology, we help organizations throughout North Central West Virginia, Southwestern Pennsylvania, and Western Maryland strengthen their cybersecurity through proactive Managed IT Services, Microsoft 365 security, endpoint protection, backup and disaster recovery, employee security awareness training, and ongoing technology guidance.

Whether you're an engineering firm, healthcare organization, accounting practice, manufacturer, construction company, nonprofit, municipality, or professional office, we work with your team to identify hidden risks before they become business interruptions.

If you'd like a clearer understanding of your organization's cybersecurity posture, we'd be happy to schedule a brief discovery call and discuss where your environment may be vulnerable.

Phone: (304) 296-8026

Website: https://www.literatiit.com