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1. IT The hot-button issue within the realm of hotel-information technology is mobile and cloud technology.A company could have tens of thousands of smartphones or laptops in the field at any given point-each a potential gateway to hackers and other criminals. To the problem the core principle is to provide end-to-end data protection with looking at cost and benefit and how it's supports the business. 2. Terrorism Ironically, one of the main reasons terrorism tops the list is because it has become less of an issue in recent years.Hoteliers need to keep their staffs and travelers mindful of possible threats, but they don't want to scare them. 3. Skimmers A related threat is that of "skimmers," or devices that catch credit card numbers when consumers use them for payment.The best prevention measure is to have an investigative team or third party on hand and making that known to employees. 4. Liability and insurance fraud These two related issues can double, triple, quadruple and quintuple corporate insurance premiums in the blink of an eye. The advisement is hoteliers to educate themselves on the issue, consulting with an attorney, if necessary. 5. Security as taboo "Security" still is something of a taboo in the global hotel industry.Hoteliers need to do a better job of "turning on the light" by talking about security openly and regularly at staff and association meetings, and hotel executives should insist their GMs make security a priority

1. ITAccording to the article, most mobile devices that are used for business are unprotected. Meaning that the devices if the device even have a password and if it does the password is not very complex. There could be thousands of employees accessing company information via the cloud through unprotected smart phones or other mobile devices. This could organizations at risk to hackers and other criminals  2.  TerrorismAlthough terrorist threats are less of a concern nowadays, that does not mean hotel managers should discontinue stressing the importance of security within their establishments. Keeping employees aware and diligent can prove to be a delicate assignment but it is a necessary of part of maintaining a safe work environment in the twenty-first century. 3.  SkimmersSkimmers are devices that steal credit card numbers when consumers use them for payment. Unfortunately, it is most commonly an employee on the inside who is committing the crime.  A third party investigation team will be needed to prove who is stealing from the establishment.  4. Liability and Insurance FraudCombined, these two issues could sky rocket a company's insurance costs through the roof. It is crucial that hoteliers be aware of the legal system and educates themselves on issues concerning liability. Both patrons and employees alike could potentially file claims against an establishment and entitlements can quickly get out of hand.    5.  SecurityDespite the best security measures, there is always the possibility of unforeseen danger. This fear of the unknown is a concern for hotel workers. To confront this fear of the unknown managers must regularly and openly discuss security with employees.  Security should be held as a top priority. 

This article discusses five main concerns brought on by the current state of hotel security. I must say that some of this information surprised me. Something that especially surprised me was learning that mobile devices that are used for business hardly use passwords. The article states, "Amplifying the problem is the sheer number of devices, he added. A company could have tens of thousands of smartphones or laptops in the field at any given point-each a potential gateway to hackers and other criminals." This piece of information is very unsettling to me. How could such valuable information not be protected? The article suggests the solution to this problem is PCI DSS. Terrorism as number two on this list also surprised me because that is not something that would first come to mind for me. The article states that it is ironically on the list for becoming less of an issue. I suppose this reminds hoteliers to never let their guard down when it comes to issues of safety and security within the hotel. However, "skimmers" and liability on this list does not really surprise me. The article suggests that hoteliers be educated about these issues to protect the hotel against them.

This article was all about the hotel security concerns for 2012. The 5 things the article lists as issues are: IT, terrorism, skimmers, liability and insurance fraud, and finally security as taboo. IT in a concern for hotel security because mobile and cloud technology is becoming very popular. Companies that do not protect their information with passwords are even more at risk. Data protection needs to include end to end management so companies are not just patching the security. Terrorism is another issue that was a concern in 2012. Hotels need to keep staff and travelers knowledgeable about possible threats, but in a way that does not scare them. Campaigns were placed in airports to educate travelers about notifying security upon seeing something suspicious. Another thing that hotel security should be concerned about is skimming. Skimming is a device that catches credit card numbers. Usually there is a need for an inside man for this type of threat. These people usually aren't criminals, but opportunists. Prevention of this in your hotel could be to hire an investigative team man making that known to the employees. This will keep honest people honest. Insurance fraud is one of the greatest business risks and it's the most expensive. Claims could be as small as a guest seeking a free room for stubbing his toe to a drawn out worker's compensation case. Liability is the label that hoteliers are held liable for criminal acts of a third party. Hoteliers should properly educate themselves on these issues and consulting an attorney if necessary. The final issue is security as a taboo. Security should become a part of day to day operations and hoteliers will be better able to address it. Hotel executives should insist their GM's make security a priority. This article was written for the year 2012. I still think that all these issues are relevant in 2013.

Almost everyone has recently heard of Cody Brocious and his gadget that was implemented and utilized to unlock guest room doors in Onity locking systems. This issue has been recently broadcasted all over the news and has gained the awareness of millions of people, making travelers panic when staying in hotels, and questioning their safety and security. The truth is, behind the issue at hand, travelers have been utilizing hotels and other establishments without being concerned or conscious of their safety, and with some negligence, and lack of attention, they put themselves at risk in numerous different ways. Although Brocious' invention gained the attention of the public, and although he went out of his way to be sure that other hackers out there knew how to replicate the system and how to utilize it to their advantage, enabling hackers to enter guest rooms and steal their personal belongings without their permission, or potentially cause physical harm to a traveler as well. Stated in this article, according to Forbes, the gadget that Brocious invented has proven inconsistent in its effectiveness. That is not to say that it could not eventually be improved, but with the changing in technology, and now the gained awareness, hotels are focusing more intently on ensuring guest security through their technological outlets. Technology affects many aspects of a hotel guest's security - from internet access to credit card information, along with guest room locks and personal identity. The article also suggests numerous ideas for how guests can avoid a lot of problems with their safety in mind, including using secondary security systems on their door, ensuring closure of the room door when leaving he room, as well as never keeping your room number written down with your key. The article also focuses on how utilizing your energy to ensure that your belongings are safe in your room as you would in your own home, is energy more well spent than being concerned about someone

The article mainly talks about the security concerns that hotels are facing in the industry today more than ever. The risk in hotel security is increasingly difficult with new technologies, regulations and global threats. I think its important because as some of us being future managers we need tro be aware of the security concerns that we are facing.

Cloud computing is becoming more and more popular in today's business world. What are the main advantages that cloud computing can bring to Hospitality industry? Through the article I found the answer which are also the concerns of hoteliers that are a lower cost and a higher security environment. For instance hotel companies can be access to the latest version of what they are using without paying too much to buy related software. Secondly since the cloud is being used by federal government and financial institution which have higher level of regulatory requirements than most hotels, hotel companies can feel more safety in applying this high-tech in their business. But nothing is perfect. The author mentioned in this article that before we choose cloud service, we should get to know some information about the hospitality software suppliers. As for me I concerned about whether they have an offline mode which can continue the business activities for a while when the internet disconnection happens. For example how could hotels make sure the check-in, check-out, and reservation activities go on successfully when something wrong with the internet. The second concern for me is how could I get my data back if I discontinue my service in certain provider. Hoteliers should have ways to protect their data and other business activities. Cloud computing is developing very quickly and it will benefit us a lot only when we get to know the right way to use it. 

This article serves as a good reminder that as hotels adopt certain technologies to enhance the guest experience, it is also important to remember to test and retest these new technologies for possible security concerns. The thought of being able to open your hotel room door with your cell phone is appealing and convenient, but also comes with some security concerns that traditional key cards do not. On the other hand, some argue that RFID chips would actually make door locks more secure, and make it easier to track who enters the hotel room and when. Either way, security concerns always have to be considered when adopting new technologies.

This article discusses ways that the travel industry can combat cyberthreats. The main cyber concern for hotels' is phishing, which is a scam that collects credit card information by pretending to be apart of a hotel's front desk staff. The article mentions that IT departments should do routinely updates to operating systems and back up data and files. Employees should also be trained to help prevent data breaches. The author briefly touched on what to do when your hotel system is hacked and even dives into how the airline industry is still very unequipped to handle cyberattacks and threats. This is a great read to learn how to keep up with best security practices in the hospitality and tourism industry.

I must admit, I stand along with Alasdair Chalmers MD of DP&L Travel; I am left confused and have more questions than answers. I do not understand the goal and/or reason of the NDS standard.  The article states that it is not a system, but a standard for airlines to provide more detailed information about flights and products on the GDSs.  Benefitting customers with more search options, choices and lower fares.   It raises the controversy of agents being concerned with data availability and feeling uncomfortable with a centrally controlled information....  I think I am missing a big piece because I do not exactly understand what the concern is. I'll need to think about this and reassess....   please share your comments and clarity!   

This article lists pros and cons of Cloud Computing for Hotels. What is surprising is that Cloud Computing can be costly as opposed to the common belief that Cloud Computing is a great cost saver. According to this article, if your IT resource pool is too big, it is less likely that you'll see any enormous financial advantage in outsourcing to the cloud. In addition, there is a method being used by hackers to increase your Cloud usage significantly and make you end up paying a lot for it. The method is called DDoS(Distributed Denial of Service). Even a low-level of this can keep your server busy and give you an enormous bill. Sure, these problems can be prevented and benefits of Cloud Computing can outweigh them. However, this technology is quite new, you need to think strategically before you pounce on  it.

This article introduced the result of a survey for the adaptation of cloud computing global wise. 68% of the global organizations want to adapt this new tech but 51% have concerns that their old system may not be enough for the adaptation.  Then the article describes the pros and cons with cloud computing and solutions for hoteliers.  The pros are : no need to buy many expensive hardware, lower maintenance expense and software installing and updating fee, Cons: security, which is the biggest concern, redundancy, and other things. 

Although the article title says three reasons why payment security should be the number one concern at your hotel it goes into much more detail than three reasons. It truly explains all of the reasons to take PCI seriously. The hospitality industry is the number one target, it can cost you millions of dollars, most breaches occur in the pos system one of the most common systems in the hospitality industry. It also provides suggested solutions such as making sure not just IT is in charge of security, properly training staff, use encryption software, and staying educated on the subject.

This article illustrates the various changes in security protocols. Due to the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, hotels such as the Caesars are implementing new policies, including disregarding guests' "Do Not Disturb" signs and checking the rooms once every 24 hours. Despite the policy stating that the hotel will only check visually the bedroom and bathroom, guests have complained that hotel officials have photographed and filmed their rooms and came in when they are dressing. In addition, the most alarming news is the guests complain that the hotel officials that barge in won't provide any identification and the guests have no way to call the front desk to ensure the hotel officials are who they say they are. For men it's a concern for privacy, for women it's a concern for safety. Even more of a concern, Katie Moussouris, CEO of Luta Security, claimed that hotel officials said they will share the photos on their Snapchat. Many guests have stated they will no longer return to Las Vegas for conferences.

Using biometrics to allow people access to events and keep track of their whereabouts is becoming more and more common across several industries including hospitality. Although seemingly helpful and more efficient that regular tickets or keys, there also seem to be concerns about the security. However, many believe that although these concerns exist, the use of biometrics is one of the safest verification routes currently.

This was about the risks in the hospitality and tourism industry when it comes to big data and analytics. Big data is so important in the hospitality industry because it's how companies know who to cater to and with what and how. In addition to the importance of big data, there are risks that come with it. A few risks are data leaks, hackers, etc. Companies invest money in their systems so these things are avoided.

The article "Why we care about location marketing" discusses the pros and cons of location based marketing. Location based marketing delivers ads and offers to audiences based on their location by using 3 primary methods: geofencing, geotargeting, and geoconquesting. This in turn increases foot traffic, helps boost customer loyalty, and gives insight into what a customer wants; however there are certain concerns such as privacy concerns. All in all, in 2022 advertising via mobile devices captured the largest share of digital advertising at $34 billion.

In this article it begins to explain property management systems PMS going mobile in the hotel industry and how beneficial it is for hotel corporations and for customers. The author explained that the most in-demand PMS function for hotels is the ability to have a real time data of room availability, access to guest information such as comments and special request, room/ work order status, and up-to-date pricing. For customers facing mobile apps they would enjoy the guest self-service of booking, self check-in/out, service request, and messaging to staff. However even though mobile devices makes such functionality seem easier mobile-enabling a PMS is not easy at all in fact, making functions available via a browser would be a huge transition for a business.

More and more are properties interested in having a PMS device that they can be accessed at anytime and anywhere. The answer to this challenge is to have PMS functions accessible via mobile devices which can be challenging for some of the systems, especially those that do not reside in cloud. For some smaller properties, the goal is to have no front desk at all and some have been quite successful in making this a reality. As stated in the Property Management Goes Mobile article, the ski resort Tremblant Elysium has been successful with using the cloud-based FrontDesk Anywhere. The guests receive a letter a week prior to check in containing a door code and 30 minutes after their arrival concierge comes to their room to complete their check in and sign the registration card. The CEO of Tremblant Elysium stated: "Guests love it because it is simple and easy and we do not have staff waiting around for people to check in." As stated in the article, guest require for Mobile PMS to include access to room availability and full front desk access including guest profiles and preferences, room/work order status, up-to-date pricing and housekeeping access for rooms statutes. Mobile-enabling PMS can be quite challenging to design, as it can bring difficulties with screen size, performance or choosing which device to use as the code must be re-written for each one. Another major concern for this type of PMS is the synchronization with other system with which PMS is integrated. As hotelier consider implementing mobile-enabling PMS device for their property, there are concerns about security as far as data storage or mobile check-in or the issuing of keys for guests. In my opinion mobile-enabling PMS is the future for smaller properties. Why would a hotel need to have a stand-alone front desk when we can use mobile phones to do the work for us as we are on the go? Eventually, we can have our staff cross trained in smaller properties all equipped with phones, all available to ch

This article discusses the wish-list for hoteliers when they are considering cloud-based systems.Tthe most in-demand mobile PMS functions include GM access to KPIs, CRM and room availability, and front desk staff access to guest information such as comments and special requests, room/work order status and consolidated messaging among staff. It would seem that with all of these personal apps that are appearing on the market, that mobilizing a PMS would be easy, but that is not the case. The code is not universal; i.e. code must be re-written for each one, although there are tools like service-oriented architecture and html5 to help. There will naturally be concerns when considering adopting a mobile PMS across properties. Before investing in a roll-out of new technology, decision-makers must ask the right questions dealing with security, data storage, and functionality.

The best way to protect airplanes isn't through improved technology such as full-body scanners but through profiling and questioning of passengers, some aviation security experts say. But such a move is an extremely controversial one that opponents say would violate travelers' privacy and could unfairly target some passengers for more-intense screenings.

This artical piont out the best way for airport security is profiling travelers. Considering privacy concerns, in my opinion, not all consumers will accept this non-technical. Maybe for frequent fliers, they like this non-technical approach. Because that this approach provides conveniences to them and helps them save time. Frequent fliers do not need to line in a long queue, and then take off clothes, and shoes, as well as opening their luggage for check. However, as for normal fliers, considering privacy concerns, they may mind providing background information to airlines, since they don't know if it is safe.

This article discusses the security issues with room keys. These hotel locks will not open with cards that are read as duplicates or duplicatable. The locking mechanism has been specifically designed to alert the front desk and secuirty departments in the event these locks are tampered with. I'm sure at one point or another we have all experimented with our room key and tried to open other doors. A system like this will prevent activity like that.

This article talk about the issue that hotel are having with their security system lock for guest room. These cards are easy to duplicate. The new system will alert front desk or security if the lock has been tampered with. Other alarms include detecting that a door is forced open 'mule tool' instruction when a door is open from the inside handle without an occupant in the room.

This article discusses the current state of hotel lock safety. Monitoring safety has changed as these locks become more automated. The article states that, "Hotel Management corresponded with Tim Shea, president of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality, for ways in which vendors are keeping hotel locks secure." Through VingCard Elsafe's locks, hotel security and safety has increased. VingCard says, "Our Classic magstripe locks do not store critical security information within individual locks, such as master key information, and any service device must authenticate itself through diversified encryption methods to gain access to the lock software." This is just one of the ways the locks increase security. The article also states that the system is cost-effective for hoteliers.

SUMMARY: This article by Bernard Ellis talks about the benefits of cloud computing and how it is being used in the hospitality industry. Hotels were previously wary about using cloud computing, but are slowly realizing that this technology has the ability to improve not only their operations, but also customer service and revenue. Ellis believes that limited-service brands, like a Courtyard by Marriott are part of the reason why hotels started looking into cloud computing. Brands like Courtyards do not have the means to spend significant amounts of money on technology, unlike their full-service counterparts. This sometimes means these hotels are at risk for not receiving necessary updates. Cloud computing enables hotel chains to offer access to systems, not previously made available to limited-service brands and also franchisees, both of which are crucial to the hotel chain's success. Hotels were previously concerned about their ability to maintain security and safety of systems within cloud computing. Now the concern has turned to change management. Changes and updates happen faster through the cloud platform and hotels have to figure out the best way to ensure staff is on top of all changes that take place. According to Ellis, the answer to this problem is learning management platforms, which are technology-based and more cost-efficient. Having technology-based learning platforms makes training easier and gives hotels the ability to update the training regularly based on any changes that take place. By utilizing cloud computing and learning management platforms, hotels will be able to improve operations, improve customer service, and streamline revenue.

Running a hotel in the cloud is a very new technology and most of the hotels are still in the trying process. There are pros and cons of running a hotel in the cloud, the atticle has solved most of our concerns about the problems that be occured when running a hotel in the cloud. However the temptation of the cost will be the most competive advantages of the cloud based PMS system.

The article clearly cleared up some of the myths in terms of internet connectivity which is a major concern. It is clear that if cloud computing is used as the option then internet redundancy should be utilized as well. It was interesting to note that a major corporation like Hyatt as moved its micros Pos and accounting systems to cloud. This will certainly encourage other hotels to get on board. On the matter of security especially for credit cards, it is good to know that PCI compliance is a must when utilizing cloud computing. Great article.

Nowadays, there are many concerns for hoteliers to adopt the cloud computing PMS system. People are reluctant to use the new technology because of the issues of control, security and connectivity. Hyatt and some benchmark hotels put most of their systems into cloud. Actually, when using the cloud PMS, data is not in the property which decrease the risk of operator. Also, as backups, network disconnection is rarely found. There are many benefits of the cloud, such as low cost, easy to upgrade software. Besides, it also has financial benefits. Many servers replaced the cloud PMS saw ROI within a year.

Nowadays, TripAdvisor play an important role in tourism industry. Most of people will review TripAdvisor ranking and then make their own holiday arrangements. On-line user review rankings are important in contemporary society. As the TripAdvisor president said, trip advisor is a honest person's opinion. TripAdvisor website plays the role of trusted intermediary for the independent traveler. However, some hoteliers concern about their personal reputation. I read another article that hotel owner Duncan Bannatyne complains the consumer resource is bad for business. For example, if a hotel was reported for bad bug exist, this definitely is a fatal effect on hotel reputation even this hotel already take proper action to kill all bad bugs. On the other hand, as TripAdvisor CEO stated, "Ninety-eight percent of our audience when we surveyed 'Do you trust the reviews,' the answer was 'yes' because they read the reviews, they go and they stay and it matched expectations. The system works." TripAdvisor also take '"most of hoteliers" concern into their consideration, they have a decade of expertise at catching people who are try to spam their system.

From my experience in the industry. I know how much people really depend on trip advisory to help them decide on where to stay when they choose the destination they will be traveling. But I have heard stories on how the Owner of the hotel I used to work for would write on trip advisor amazing comments of the hotel to bring more crowd in and then he would invite his friends to write in trip advisor as well. This makes me question how real are all these comments posted in trip advisor. If you think about it, anyone can make up a profile and fill out a comment about a specific hotel. What makes us so sure about this website overall?