What are the Top Cyber Risks Facing the Hospitality Industry?
Have you ever wondered if your business’s security is good enough to protect against cyber risks? A simple breach of sensitive information about your clients or customers can lead to identity theft and credit card fraud.
To prevent these risks from happening, your company must understand the greatest cyber risks within the hospitality industry.
Exposure of Credit and Debit card information
Most guests pay for their rooms using credit or debit cards due to their ease of use. However, hackers typically take advantage of this and target the hospitality industry to manipulate sensitive information from credit or debit cards that were exposed in the system.
So how will you protect guest data from this type of attack?
It’s simple: purchase secure cyber insurance so that guests trust your business. One of the best hospitality insurance providers is Santa Fe Hospitality Insurance. They have lots of experience addressing the needs of businesses, including risk management and loss control.
An improved risk profile of your business will retain and attract more hotel guests to purchase your company’s services.
Can you imagine that?
You will not only protect your company from cyber threats but will also receive more revenue as consumers trust the reliability of your services. It’s a win-win!
Ransomware attacks
All your hotel data can be revealed with just one click on a suspicious email. As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat — businesses are unaware of the threats from ransomware attacks when they are just simply prompted to open an email asking for a specified response.
To solve this problem, consider hiring highly trained specialists that will protect hotel information and secure backup data in case of an encryption attempt. You can check out 8 Tips for Buying Work Comp Insurance to learn more.
In the event of the worst-case scenario in which the ransomware attack has already taken place, follow these actions immediately:
- Immediately change your email password to a stronger one. Make sure to use all available keys, including capitalized words and punctuation marks.
- Shut down the system and reboot to safe mode.
- Seek help from cyber specialists.
- Communicate with the people affected by the ransomware attack. This will allow them to minimize the use of the system, or to comply with the corrective actions.
Untrained staff and team members
Most employees in the hospitality industry work as contractors that bounce between seasonal work lasting only for a few months. Staff with high turnover can lead to a greater risk in system security and require increased system maintenance.
Constantly retraining staff is draining and difficult to manage as it hinders the company from complying with the appropriate cyber measures.
Due to these issues, we suggest that your company only hires contracted employees with the skills of cyber awareness. Your company must assess its capabilities to use strict measures to prevent data security breaches.
Other than contractors, full-time employees must undergo yearly retraining to evaluate their cyber awareness. Your company may periodically host seminars to educate your employees about how to fight against cyber hacks and other accidental breaches of sensitive hotel information.
Potentially damaging threats to your company can be prevented and minimized if your employees have enough knowledge about how to prevent cyber risks.
Phishing attempts that act like online booking services
Always remember to stay one step ahead of cyber hackers. Make sure that your company has an official website where customers directly purchase their online booking to your services.
Most of the time, phishing emails pose as a certified website that provides impeccable offers to their audience such as discounted room promos or availability of scheduled slots.
One of the best ways to mitigate risks that may affect your company’s reputation is to build and promote a website that customers will be able to distinguish amidst all of the phishing websites.
Purchase the best cyber insurance to combat cyber risks
Yes, it is official! Purchasing a trusted cyber insurance provider works wonders to protect your company against any and all cyber risks. All you need to do is find a reliable insurance company that supports all your needs.
Say no to hackers, say yes to an insurance company. When you do, people will trust your business better than most of your competitors.
So, what are you waiting for? Get cyber insurance now to be protected from any cyber-attack.
About Daniels Insurance, Inc.
At Daniels Insurance, Inc., we have a unique understanding of the risks that businesses like yours face on a regular basis. With the backing of our comprehensive coverages and our dedication to customer service and quick claims resolution, your business will be fully protected. For more information, contact us today at (855) 565-7616.