Hotels and other establishments that serve hundreds of people need more robust cybersecurity than what consumers use. Cyberattacks can cost a hotel over a million dollars in repairs.
What Is Cybersecurity and Why Does It Matter?
Cybersecurity is a set of solutions designed to protect your network and data. At one time, most businesses relied on anti-virus software as the sole form of protection against hackers. However, hackers eventually find vulnerabilities in software to exploit, which is why a business needs multiple layers of security around its digital assets.
One of the most enduring cybersecurity industry trends has been encryption, which scrambles code in a way that confuses hackers. Some of the most effective technology for reducing the odds of security breaches include firewalls, virtualization, and 24/7 monitoring software.
The more you integrate AI, IoT sensors, and video cameras with your cybersecurity strategy, the safer your property will be. Using proven forms of security that lower risks of theft, vandalism, and privacy violations can lower the rates of insurance policies.
Modern Challenges Faced While Implementing Cybersecurity Strategies
One of the reasons cybercriminals target lodging facilities is because they collect quite a bit of personal information about guests. Tapping into customer files can help hackers put the puzzle pieces together on how to access the victims’ bank accounts and extract money. Another challenge for hotels is to ensure managers read an industry cybersecurity guide and pass it on to their employees.
Best Practices to Fight Cyberthreats
- Phishing Attacks – A company needs to train its staff to spot phishing schemes in email. These scams try to trick users into clicking something. Once the link is clicked, the malware begins to download on the victim’s computer. Employees should further be trained to never follow odd instructions from an email regardless of its urgent warnings.
- Malware – Software designed to mess up computer functions is widely lumped under the umbrella term malware, which also encompasses ransomware. This disruption can be blocked with anti-malware software.
- Hacking – Unauthorized access in cyberspace reflects the nature of hacking. A new attack method called Dark Hotel hacking involves criminals tracking the travel plans of victims through hotel Wi-Fi systems. Guests can guard themselves against this form of spying by using a virtual private network (VPN).
- Ransomware – Business hackers often target companies with ransomware ultimatums in which the victim can either pay ransom money in cryptocurrency or lose access to their own computers that become damaged by malware. Backing up all critical files helps prevent this major digital disaster.
- Payment Card Attack – Hospitality staff must be on the lookout for point of sale (POS) attacks, which target vendors rather than hotels. This type of attack can lead to negative press coverage. The keys to preventing these crimes are to be PCI-compliant, use encryption, and closely monitor all POS devices.
Businesses cannot afford to overlook cybersecurity as a top priority. Protecting your data not only reduces legal risks but also helps you maintain positive relationships with clients. Not only should you protect your digital assets, but you should also cover your physical assets. At RMS Insurance, our expertly crafted policies are designed to specifically help small businesses. We offer custom-tailored solutions to meet your business needs. For more information, contact our experts today at (888) 359-8390.