1.

Invest in Information Security

Unlike other businesses, hotels tend to store customer card

information in a number of places such as central reservation
systems, third-party partners, customer files at the front desk,
emails, and card-authorization forms. Moreover, the POS (point of
sales), the PMS (property management systems), the electronic key
card programmers are also connected to the hotel’s network, making
it easy for hackers to access confidential data.

In order to protect your system and build a robust cybersecurity

plan, consider building an information security team who will be
directly responsible for securing the hotel’s data. Hiring a
professional for the job will keep you updated on the changes in the
cybersecurity domain, enabling you to protect your customers’
information.

Encourage your information security team to conduct a thorough

and periodic risk assessment to understand where the data is stored,
the hotel staff that has access to it, the credibility of third-party
vendors, and the repercussions of the data being compromised.

2. Install Intelligent Access Control Systems

When guests stay in your hotel they expect you to take complete
responsibility for their safety. They look forward to staying in a
room with access to themselves and the housekeeping staff when
needed.

On the other hand, you prefer only guests who have paid for the
privileged services, namely the gym, the swimming pool, the kid’s
play area, and the library to have access to these hotel amenities.
Hotels also have restricted areas such as the reception counter and
the rooms with lockers that hold the crucial documents and the
payments made by guests.

Installing access control systems allows only authorized individuals

to access the rooms and amenities, controlling who goes where and
keeping suspicious entities at bay.
However, before investing in a robust access control system talk to
your service provider about your hotel security needs to ensure that
the card access system is not vulnerable to unauthorized access and
hacking.

3. Protect Customer Data

Hotels are particularly at a risk of data breaches as they see a

massive number of financial transactions each day. In fact, according
to the 2017 Verizon data breach investigations report, the hotel
industry continues to experience malware-related breaches, namely
RAM scrapers and spyware/ keyloggers.

Even the most distinguished hotels have borne the brunt of their
security systems and credit cards details being hacked. In October
2017, Hyatt Hotels suffered a major breach of customers’ payment
card data when criminals infected their system with malware in 41
properties across the globe.

Without proper control, confidential information can be hacked

when your guests are using their credit or debit cards to make a
payment, causing immeasurable damage to your reputation and
financial losses to your patrons. Consequently, it is wise to install
enhanced cybersecurity systems and additional layers of security to
identify suspicious software and reduce the risk of security
breaches.

Ensure that the payment card data and other information is

segregated from the contact center. Thus, a guest calling to make a
reservation can discreetly enter his/her card details using the mobile
phone, avoiding a spillover of confidential information to
unmonitored areas. This approach enables hoteliers to comply with
the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI), securing
their network and confidential documents.

4. Employ Technology to Improve Surveillance

Though data theft is a headline grabber in the hotel security
segment, hotel owners are also responsible for physically protecting
their guests and their own property from thefts and other crimes.

Modern technology has a pivotal role to play in keeping hotels

secure. Technology has enabled firms to introduce surveillance
products that are powered by artificial intelligence, deep learning
video analytic algorithms, and biometric technologies.

Smart digital technology and intelligent cloud-based systems are

offering new ways to improve the level of security in hotels. Built-in
audio and motion detectors, active tampering alarm systems, and
remote video solutions help the security staff identify intruders and
alert the intervention team to take the necessary action.