For many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), summer brings a natural slowdown—fewer meetings, quieter inboxes, and time for reflection. But while the pace of business may ease, cyber threats don’t take a holiday. In fact, the post-holiday period is when your business could be most at risk. Now is the time to take positive steps to gain a cybersecurity advantage.
That’s why more UK firms are using the summer lull to run cybersecurity awareness quizzes and light-touch training campaigns, helping staff return to work with sharper instincts and stronger defences.
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Why Now Is the Right Time
Returning employees—whether from a two-week holiday or a long weekend—are often distracted, fatigued, or catching up on emails. According to KnowBe4, staff are nearly 30% more likely to fall for phishing emails during their first week back. It’s no coincidence that September is peak season for cybercriminals.
Launching a short, engaging quiz during or just after summer helps businesses address this vulnerability head-on—nudging good habits, reducing risk, and supporting a smooth, secure return to work.
Awareness That Sticks
Modern awareness tools, from platforms like KnowBe4 and CybSafe, make it easy to test staff on real-world risks: phishing tactics, safe device use, password hygiene, and more. These quizzes are interactive, scenario-based, and often come with immediate feedback—ideal for reinforcing learning without the burden of formal training.
You could even brand your campaign for maximum impact—“Cyber Reset”, “Security September” or “Back to Business”—delivered with a positive tone. Rather than focusing on fear, they celebrate team participation, making cyber awareness part of the culture, not just compliance.
A Boost for Onboarding and Beyond
New joiners and internal movers are statistically more likely to fall for scams, particularly in their first 90 days. Embedding a cybersecurity quiz into your onboarding or induction process can reduce this risk, helping new staff recognise red flags from day one.
Better still, the data from these campaigns can identify knowledge gaps by team or role, helping IT and HR tailor future training. For SMEs aiming for Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001, this approach also demonstrates proactive cyber governance.
Don’t Waste the Quiet Season – use it to gain a cybersecurity advantage
With phishing still the most common cyber attack method in the UK, and staff behaviour at the heart of many breaches, now is the time to act. A short quiz today can prevent a costly mistake tomorrow—and it’s far easier to implement when operations are calm.
So instead of seeing summer as downtime, treat it as a reset button—a chance to build awareness, engage your teams, and go into the autumn stronger and more secure.
For more information on KnowBe4 look here or give us a call on 01535 358161 to discuss your cybersecurity goals. We can help you achieve your cybersecurity goals far quicker than you can on your own!
For more information on cybersecurity in general visit the National Cyber Security Centre‘s website.
