In recent years, many hotel brands have fallen victims of cybercrime. That might be devastating to the reputation of every tourist accommodation property.
Knowing the potential threats is vital to be able to prevent them. Let`s dive in:
1. Customer data/identity theft
The hospitality business is responsible for protecting the identity information of its customers.
Unfortunately, hackers are getting more sophisticated in using malware to scrape information from hotels` payment systems. Many such attacks have reportedly taken place around the world, affecting the guests of big hotels like Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Hilton, Millenium Hotels & Resorts, HEI Hospitality, and others.
You might be wondering: how to minimize the risks of identity theft happening at our property?
Let`s go through a few ways to do it:
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Invest in new technology. Some of the solutions include (but are not limited to) firewalls, antivirus software, DDoS appliances, etc.
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Make sure the technology you use is updated. Updates are important because they ensure that your technology might tackle potential security threats.
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Employ cybersecurity professionals – such companies might help you assess the vulnerabilities of your property and install the right software to protect prevent cybercrime.
1. Phishing
According to statistics, 76% of organizations reported falling victim of a phishing attack in 2016 and the frequency of spam has increased 4 times since 2016. The hospitality sector makes no exception.
Phishing refers to tricking people through various channels like phone calls, fake websites, emails or text messages. The end goal of the deceptive activities might be related to receiving sensitive data, downloading malware or sending over money.
But how to prevent yourself from falling victim to a phishing attack. Here`re some tips:
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Install and regularly update anti-spyware, anti-virus, and anti-malware tools on all the computers in your property.
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Beware of vagueness, spelling mistakes, misspelled return addresses, and strange attachments or links.
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Test links and attachments before clicking on them.
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Beware of fake login screens that gather information – look at the website URLs.
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Train your employees to recognize phishing threats.
3. DarkHotel hacking
DarkHotel hacking is a relatively new threat, which involves using the hotel Wi-Fi to trick business guests.
Wonder how it works? The attackers upload malicious code to the hotel server to convince guests that software downloads are safe.
It`s important to take the necessary precautions and encourage guests to use virtual private networks (VPN) if they`re about to work with sensitive business data.
Cybersecurity matters
Don`t underestimate the importance of cybersecurity. Prepare in advance to be able to respond to any potential threats in due time.
What do you do to protect your property from data breaches? Share your experience and best tips in the comments down below.
