Avoid Cyber Security Threats in the Hospitality Industry

Be on the safe side with Secure Stay.

The threat of cyber crimes is extremely relevant these days. The matter of cyber crimes should be taken seriously by hotel owners. The experts say that it might cost businesses more than one million dollars to recover from a cyber attack. And what is even more intimidating, the time to spot a data breach in 2019 was more than seven months.

In the past three years there had been thirteen large data breaches. On the forums hackers on the dark web are visiting, there have been mentions of such hotels as Hilton and Marriott.

It is believed that hotels are vulnerable to cyber attacks because of the amount of transactions and sensitive data hotel databases hold. Cyber security is important, as keeping safe the personal information of your customers should be your main responsibility.

Forewarned is forearmed, so here is the list of threats that might await hospitality businesses.

1.Malware

Malware stands for “malicious software” — a type of software that can affect your computer while keeping you in the dark. It is used to spy, infestate the network with viruses, remove files or allow access to more malicious software on your computer.

It can be passed in email attachments, when you download software, or open an infected website.

Ways to protect your business against malware:

• Set up anti-malware software.
• Scan flash drives for viruses.
• Training your employees to avoid visiting suspicious websites.
• Make sure your staff uses an up-to-date browser.
• Install an ad-block.

Preventing an attack is much better than remedy it.

2. A Distributed Denial-of-Service attack (DDoS)

The hospitality industry is one of the most popular targets of DDoS attacks. Such an attack is an ill-meaning intention to distort the normal processes of a server or network by overloading its infrastructure by flooding the targeted machine with internet traffic. These attacks can result in complete dysfunction of a website or computer system.

Ways to protect your business against DDoS attacks:

• There are anti-DDos services that can help you prevent an attack.
• Set up Firewalls and internet routers to decline bad traffic. Keep them up-to-date.

3. DarkHotel hacking

Attackers may use hotel Wi-Fi to target business guests, as a rule in an attempt to gain sensitive information. They use fraudulent software documentation to get into personal details of users, so they will install malicious software.

Ways to protect your business from DarkHotel hacking:

• If you know that some of your guests are going to share sensitive information over the internet, you can encourage them to use Virtual Private Network (VPN).
• Warn your guests to check update alerts, as those can be potentially harmful.

4. Point of Sale (PoS) or payment card attacks

These attacks pose a large threat to hotel cyber security. Cybercriminals attack the third party and not the hotel itself. These attacks can leave your guests without means and in addition to that an incident can involve media which will affect the hotel’s reputation. PoS can also result in financial losses for your business.

Ways to protect your business from PoS attacks:

• Be compliant with PCI on all routers, networks and card readers.
• Train your employees
• Implement end-to-end encryption on PoS systems
• Set up an antivirus on PoS systems

5. Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that in addition to infecting your computer systems also holds some data hostage. Cybercriminals may demand compensation before they release your systems.

Ways to protect your business from ransomware:

• Back up data and files regularly
• Do not allow administrative permissions to software if you are not sure whether it is trustworthy or not

Start implementing these cybersecurity practices to keep your hospitality business protected.