Why Cybersecurity needs to be a priority for the Hotels Industry ?
One of the common misunderstandings about cybercriminals is that they are want your money. They do, in fact. But what if they're looking for something other than money? What if the issue is one of data and access? What if they could assume your identity and use it whatever they pleased because they are familiar with you? How? Who has access to all of your data and information? Various businesses and organizations, including the Hotel where you are staying!
Over the years, one industry which has managed to garner millions of data without stress, or fault is the hotel industry. Every day, a hundred million people travel the world, staying over in places and, of course, leaving their names and certain other information behind.
The hotel sector receives and manages millions of names, contact numbers, emails, home address, or work address as well as credit card information without second thoughts. So, what if all of these are at risk? That's where cybersecurity in the hotel industry comes in.
Business Risk
Why Industry is a target for cybercrime
Collect and maintain databases of sensitive information such as travel itinerary, passport details, credit card information, personal preferences, air miles and more. Facilitate a significant number of financial transactions, often involving executives and wealthy individuals whose credit card information would be highly sought-after on the dark web. Are spread out geographically, giving them large attack surfaces and information from all different types of individuals that may be valuable in different regions of the world.
Offer loyalty programs that store rewards balances and PII, which are not closely monitored by users. Many people reuse login credentials across different sites and platforms, potentially leaving themselves exposed to fraud if hackers can accurately identify their password habits, drain their account balances, and steal other sensitive PII.
At various points in time, what each cyber attacker wants exactly differs. However, the primary motive is usually the same- to access as much data as possible from the hotel's network and use it for their benefit. After access to this information, it is usually very easy for attackers to take further steps, such as falsifying identity to attack each guest in different ways.
Cybersecurity in Hotel Management is a priority.
If delayed can become a liability.
Technical Threats
How Hotel Industry Is Targeted
Quite usually, this method is the easiest when used with specific strategies. Your attacker could trickily access one of your staff's emails and have them send links to others. In simple terms, the attacker impersonates a staff who requires passwords, clicks on links, or specific information to your database.
When this happens, your guests' information becomes public as they can access them for their use. Your attacker gets to know personal details about each guest, which your privacy policy may not even permit you to make public.
Who's the third party managing your Point of Sale (POS) system? Are they technologically knowledgeable enough to help protect you or hotel business and your guest's information?
Cybersecurity in the hotel business should be handled with utmost care. Therefore, every member, company, organization, or third parties involved should be providing enough security.
The challenges Industry is facing
The EU will soon adopt the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This is a landmark piece of legislation that will radically change our perceptions on how personal data should be handled in business. The GDPR will also have global effect. This is not just law-making for the inside of Europe’s borders.
The purpose of the GDPR is to put people back in control of their personal information and to improve how entities look after personal information while it is in their custody.
Experts Tips
Top tips for securing Hotel Management Domain
Educate your staff
Educate your staff even to the front desk receptionist, educate your staff on cybersecurity and how they can protect themselves as well as the hotel from attack. Any and everyone’s identity can be used to access the hotel’s database, so they have to be sure to be careful. In the case of any suspicions, they should be able to report as soon as possible.
Avoid Insider threats
At all times, ensure that insider threats are avoided. Employees have a mind of their own and could hold a grudge or expose your hotel to attack. Therefore, limit the number of people who have access to the database to only the necessary people.
Respond to suspicious alerts early
Whether it’s from a guest or a staff, respond to reports of suspicious activities. Have your IT team on it to find out what is going on. You can never be too careful when it is cybersecurity in the hospitality industry.
Protect your networks and connections
As long as two things are connected at a point, then there’s a high probability that it can be intercepted. As a hotelier who wants to stay in business and keep his guests safe from attack, you are expected to see to it that connections are protected and that other parties cannot access them at any time.
Get useful gadgets and security systems
Not only should you fill your IT teams with experts, provide them with the best technological gadgets as well. This way, they are able to build firewalls around your hotel’s database system. Having experts on the team also helps to keep things under control in the case of an attack. Do not spare costs for protection against cyber-attack.
Wanna avoid lawsuits that may be filed by guests in the future?
It is in the best interest of every hotelier that guests' data are kept encrypted and secured.