Christmas hiring rush heightens physical security risks

Digital ID has warned businesses about physical security risks linked to the Christmas hiring rush, saying increased seasonal recruitment can create gaps in site access controls.

The warning comes after the company reported a 1,000% rise in Google searches over the past three months for "Christmas temp work near me", which it said suggests the festive peak is already beginning. It applies to retailers, venues, warehouses and distribution centres taking on temporary staff, agency workers and third-party contractors.

Adam Bennett, Photo ID Card Expert at Digital ID, said businesses often prioritise recruitment while leaving security processes until late in the onboarding cycle.

"Every year we see a similar pattern. Businesses put a huge amount of effort into recruiting temporary staff for Christmas, but the security side of onboarding gets left until the last minute, or forgotten entirely. When you have dozens of new faces arriving at once, alongside more contractors, delivery drivers and visitors, it becomes very difficult to tell who should be on site and who shouldn't," Bennett said.

He said the issue is often overlooked even by organisations that invest in digital protections.

"Physical security shouldn't be an open-door policy, and it shouldn't be an afterthought. A lot of organisations invest heavily in cyber security, with firewalls and multi-factor authentication, then let people walk through the front door without anyone checking who they are. The building is part of your attack surface too. If someone can walk in unchallenged, they can get to the stock, the cash office or an unlocked laptop just as easily," Bennett said.

Visible ID

One basic control is making sure everyone on site can be identified easily. Digital ID recommends photo ID badges showing a worker's name, role and, for temporary staff, an expiry date.

"The simplest step is making sure every single person is visibly identifiable. A clear photo ID badge with the person's name, role and, for temporary staff, an expiry date means colleagues and security teams can tell immediately whether someone belongs there. It also protects the temps themselves. Nobody wants to be the new starter who gets stopped and questioned on every shift," Bennett said.

The company also highlighted colour-coded lanyards as a low-cost way to distinguish between permanent employees, temporary staff, contractors and visitors on busy sites.

"Colour-coded lanyards are one of the most cost-effective tools available. Using a different colour for permanent staff, temps, contractors and visitors lets anyone on the shop floor or in the warehouse see who is who straight away. It makes it far easier to spot and challenge someone who's in an area they shouldn't be," Bennett said.

Access control

Another recommendation is to align access permissions with specific roles and contract lengths. That means limiting entry to sensitive areas and setting passes to expire when seasonal contracts end.

"Access permissions should match the role, too. A seasonal picker in a warehouse doesn't need to get into the server room, the cash office or HR. Set permissions on a least-privilege basis, give them an end date that matches the contract, and make sure they're switched off the day someone leaves. Lapsed cards that still open doors are one of the most common security gaps after the festive period," Bennett said.

Digital ID also said visitor and contractor sign-in procedures should be reviewed during the seasonal peak, with temporary passes collected when people leave the site.

After Christmas

The risks do not end once peak trading has passed, the company said, arguing that offboarding is often missed in January as businesses turn to returns and stock checks.

"Offboarding is where a lot of businesses get caught out. In January, everyone is focused on returns and stock counts, and it's easy to forget about chasing up badges or switching off access. Months later, you've got cards still active for people who left at Christmas. Build the offboarding plan at the same time as the onboarding plan, and it takes care of itself," Bennett said.

He added that badge compliance needs to apply across the organisation, including among senior staff, if workers are expected to challenge unidentified people on site.

"Security is everyone's job, not just the person on the front desk. Staff should feel confident asking someone without a visible badge if they can help them. That only works if everyone, including senior managers, wears their ID consistently. Christmas is a huge opportunity for businesses and for the people looking for seasonal work. Getting the basics right now, with ID badges, lanyards and properly managed access, keeps your people, your stock and your premises safe through the busiest weeks of the year," Bennett said.