Cyber attacks might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering problems for the hotel industry in 2020. However, amid increased efforts to hold data within the cloud, cybersecurity poses huge risks to hotels.

Concerns about COVID-19 have prompted hotels to take great leaps forward with their technology. Contactless check-ins via an app, automated food service, property-wide message systems and more have been utilized even by smaller hotel brands. While it benefits hotels to take advantage of technology, they must take cybersecurity precautions.

Hotel brands are no stranger to cyber attacks.

There are many different methods that hackers can use to infiltrate a hotel’s data. The graph below from the Morphisec 2019 Hospitality Guest Threat Index illustrates the likelihood of each type of attack. 

Travelers hope that hotels are investing enough in cybersecurity.

Hotels must ensure the safety of their guests’ privacy and make all efforts to mitigate a cybersecurity breach. With revenues already lower due to the pandemic, a cyber attack would be devastating to a hotel’s image and pricey to deal with. Here are some potential solutions to consider:

• Invest in the safest Point-of-Sale system and credit card processor you can find 
• Use better staff training practices to ensure that your employees understand how to comply with privacy practices and handle data
• Keep security software up to date 

Hotels can also encourage guests to use their own VPN instead of the hotel Wifi if they are concerned about Wifi attacks. With improving technological capabilities, hotels must weigh the benefits and risks with any new idea they implement, and consider for themselves whether or not it’s worth the potential cyberthreat. 

Image credit: Forbes