From online booking platforms and smart technology to point of sale and property management systems, digital solutions power your daily operations. They also collect and store a significant amount of sensitive information about your guests – names, addresses, credit card details, and passport information, to name a few.
Cybercriminals who access this data can steal your guests’ identities and commit financial crimes. Data breaches damage your hotel’s reputation, decrease trust in your brand, and leave you to pay tens of thousands, or even millions, of dollars in remediation costs. But there are a variety of measures to improve your hotel’s cybersecurity – here are 10 ways you can prepare for and prevent attacks.
1. TRAIN YOUR STAFF
Human error is the top cause of data breaches. Build awareness on the importance of cybersecurity and train staff on the basics: Logging out of devices when they’re not in use, using secure passwords, how to recognize and handle phishing emails, and steps to report suspicious activity.
2. CREATE STRONG PASSWORDS
Passwords that use a mix of letters, symbols, and numbers are difficult for cybercriminals to crack. Mix up capitalization, update passwords regularly, and don’t use the same password for multiple accounts.
3. ENCRYPT YOUR POS SYSTEM
Point-of-sale systems are particularly vulnerable to hackers who can access the device, its data, and ultimately, the wireless network it’s connected to. End-to-end encryption of your POS system makes data unreadable without a key – even if cyber attackers access your data, they can’t understand or use it.
4. BACK UP YOUR MOST IMPORTANT DATA
Use a cloud-based system to back up your data and store it offsite, keeping it safe from attackers but accessible to you. Backups can help you quickly restore systems and operations in the case of a ransomware attack.
5. LEVERAGE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
AI-powered threat detection systems continuously monitor your network and user activities, swiftly detecting potential threats. Incident response technologies analyze potential threats and automate a response, which can minimize damage, interruptions to your operations, and the cost of a cyber attack.
6. USE MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires users to verify their identity with two or more authentication methods. Coupled with strong and unique passwords, MFA reduces the risk of threats and provides an additional layer of security between bad actors and sensitive information.
7. OBTAIN CYBER INSURANCE
A cyber insurance policy covers your hotel in the event of a data breach that exposes sensitive data. Separate from general liability coverage, cyber insurance can help mitigate the cost of remediation, regulatory fines, and lawsuits.
8. INSTALL ANTI-MALWARE AND FIREWALLS
Anti-malware detects, prevents, and removes malicious software, known as malware, from your computers. Firewalls protect your network by monitoring all incoming and outgoing traffic – they serve as a barrier between a network or computer and external factors.
9. SECURE YOUR PUBLIC WIFI
Captive portal authentication requires guests to enter information, such as their last name and room number, and accept terms and conditions before accessing your hotel’s public Wi-Fi.
10. CREATE AN INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN
Document the steps your staff must take if a cybersecurity breach occurs and assign specific roles and responsibilities to team members. Incident response plans help you move quickly to address problems and resolve them effectively.
Image: Ar_TH/stock.adobe.com
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