Last updated on Jul 4, 2024

Here's how you can ensure security when using new technology in hospitality.

Embracing new technology in the hospitality sector offers exciting opportunities to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations. However, as you integrate these innovations into your business, it's crucial to prioritize security. Protecting your guests' data and ensuring the reliability of your services against cyber threats is paramount. In this article, you'll discover practical steps to safeguard your hospitality business as you adopt new technological solutions.

Find expert answers in this collaborative article

Selected by the community from 3 contributions. Learn more

1 Assess Risks

Before implementing any new technology in your hospitality business, it's essential to conduct a thorough risk assessment. Identify what specific data and systems will be affected and the potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Consider the types of threats, such as malware or data breaches, and evaluate the impact they could have on your operations. This proactive approach allows you to understand and mitigate risks before they materialize.

Add your perspective

2 Train Staff

Training your staff is a critical step in ensuring the security of new technology. Employees should be knowledgeable about the latest cybersecurity practices and understand their role in maintaining a secure environment. Regular training sessions can help prevent human error, which is often a significant factor in security breaches. Empower your team with the knowledge to recognize suspicious activities and respond appropriately.

Add your perspective

Seth Emmanuel

Junior Cyber Security Analyst || Cybersecurity Fundamentals || ISO 27001 || Integrated Defense Strategies || SecOps CNSP || (ISC2) CC Certified.
Regular training of staffs on security matters needs to be talked about more because threat actors keep updating their social engineering skills and most non tech savvy people keep falling for it. So it would be better if practices are being put in place so staffs can identify and differentiate between phishing emails and normal ones, this one it has exposed them to minor mistakes they make that could cost the company a lot of money.
Like
Report contribution

3 Update Regularly

Keeping software and systems up to date is vital in protecting against security vulnerabilities. Developers frequently release updates that patch security holes and improve system stability. By ensuring that all technology, from property management systems to guest-facing apps, is current, you reduce the risk of being compromised by known exploits that attackers could take advantage of.

Add your perspective

Seth Emmanuel

Junior Cyber Security Analyst || Cybersecurity Fundamentals || ISO 27001 || Integrated Defense Strategies || SecOps CNSP || (ISC2) CC Certified.
This is where auto update comes in handy. Regular paths and updates from endpoint devices to networks is crucial in avoiding being exploited by threat actors but the IT person should also verify each update before installation.
Like
Report contribution

4 Secure Access

Controlling access to your technology systems is fundamental to security. Use strong authentication methods and limit access based on roles within your organization. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), which requires additional verification beyond just a password, can significantly enhance security. Regularly review who has access to what information and adjust permissions as necessary to maintain tight control.

Add your perspective

5 Monitor Systems

Continuous monitoring of your systems can help detect and respond to security incidents promptly. Use security software that can identify unusual activity patterns or potential breaches. By keeping an eye on your network traffic and access logs, you'll be better positioned to spot irregularities that could indicate a security threat, allowing for swift action to contain and resolve any issues.

Add your perspective

6 Plan Response

Having a response plan in place for potential security incidents is just as important as preventative measures. This plan should outline the steps to take when a breach is detected, including containment strategies, communication protocols, and recovery processes. A well-prepared response can minimize damage, restore operations quickly, and maintain trust with your guests and stakeholders.

Add your perspective

Seth Emmanuel

Junior Cyber Security Analyst || Cybersecurity Fundamentals || ISO 27001 || Integrated Defense Strategies || SecOps CNSP || (ISC2) CC Certified.
Having a response plan is crucial and should be practiced regularly to ensure that staffs understand and know what to do when an incident occurs.
Like
Report contribution

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Here's how you can ensure security when using new technology in hospitality.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Risks

2 Train Staff

3 Update Regularly

4 Secure Access

5 Monitor Systems

6 Plan Response

7 Here’s what else to consider

Hospitality

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Hospitality

More relevant reading