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Cyberattacks on health organizations. These organizations need to implement better data protection. Personal and medical data has been hacked and there is a continuous effort put forth to breach the systems that house this information. With more and more companies researching potential vaccines and remedies for Covid, now more than ever, organizations must have more than just cloud backups; disaster recovery plans should include offsite backups at a minimum.

(1 of 2) "The hospitality sector has always been a popular target for cyberattacks." This is the first line of this Recorded Future article published in January. The article discusses breaches that happened for both Marriott and British Airways and how this is a regular occurrence in the industry as it is such a big target with so many possible points that can be attacked. While the statistics for the hospitality industry have improved greatly in the last decade, in 2019, they were still accounting for 10% of all breaches. Not only does a breach affect the way an organization operates, but also it also severely effects their bottom-line and takes quite a but of time for them to recover. "According to Ponemon's 2019 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average hospitality data breach costs $1.99 million to contain, at a cost per record of $123. These high costs are due in part to the time needed to adequately respond to a breach. On average, it takes 200 days to identify a hospitality data breach and a further 75 days to contain it." The article continues by stating that hackers are typically seeking payment card data when compromising the hospitality industry.

(2 of 2) The article then discusses the many reasons why it is so difficult for hospitality-oriented companies to secure their assets versus other organizations of similar stature. Some of these reasons include the large, complex networks which are typically publicly accessible and contain many customers in the databases, the fact that customers are always onsite and so are attackers, the high turnover leading to inconsistent training and sharing of credentials, franchisers owning the responsibility of security yet not knowing much about it, and the risk associated with all of the various third parties the hotels do business with. While intelligence has come a very long, "security professionals in the industry are tasked with defending highly complex networks with many endpoints against a constant barrage of attacks and a constantly churning workforce… [AND] they have limited security resources to work with." Comprehensive security intelligence systems are now capable of protecting many aspects of the organization. Some of these updated features include responding rapidly to security incidents, blocking online brand abuse and impersonation, managing third-party risk, reducing breach containment times, and better allocating security resources. Property data security is so important to the hospitality industry. If a business does not take the proper precautions to protect their systems and their customers, then it could lead to a devastating event for the business. While security intelligence has progressed within the last decade, a business needs to make sure that they have chosen a reliable agent to partner with who will produce consistent service. If the business keeps up with their system updates and protections, they should not have to worry about their security system failing.

Network redundancy is the process of adding network devices and other instances of communication lines to help ensure network availability and reduce the risk of failures on critical data paths. One of the first steps in the network redundancy plan is to create a network strategy that reviews the existing infrastructure. A high-quality hosted data center should have an extensive backup system to ensure that it is always available. All valuable data should be backed up regularly, preferably in another location. By using multiple data centers, companies can ensure that even if certain disasters occur, they will be able to proceed with minimal losses. In addition, a well-maintained UPS system ensures that the server can be switched from power to backup generator power without losing any data or applications.

A network outage whether it is due to a cyber attack or simple human error can be devastating to a company. It makes them look very bad, damaging their reputation, and can cost the business millions of dollars. Network Redundancy can help ensure network availability and decrease the risk of failure. There are 2 forms of redundancy. Fault Tolerance where there is a mirrored backup system that takes over with no loss of service, and High Availability where the backup servers take over and restart applications that were running on the failed server.

This article discusses Wyndham's decision to transition its property management into the cloud based services through Oracle Hospitality. Their decision was based on the several advantages offered by Oracle's cloud based system such as cost savings, the simplified application and use of only one central system and the protection from cyber attacks. Wyndham is the first hotel chain to adopt Oracle's new cloud based version of their management system.

This article highlights several important security issues in the hospitality industry, followed by the practice of protecting data from loss. The data structure of the hotel industry is complex, customers mainly use bank cards to pay, and the staff turnover rate is high. There are certain internal threats. In order to solve these problems and avoid data loss, it is not enough to strengthen network security. It is also important that employees are trained and familiar with and comply with relevant regulations.

Hospitality offers an ideal target vector for conducting Cyber crimes such as identity theft and credit card fraud due to the existence of multiple databases and devices containing both Payment Card Information (PCI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Restaurants, hotels, and other companies in the hospitality sector often have complex ownership structures with an individual owner or group of owners, and a management company that acts as the operator. Each of these groups may use different computer systems to store information, and the information can also frequently move across those systems.

In this article, we learn about the top five data security risks as well as best practices to help prevent data breaches. According to the article, the hospitality industry is a prime target since it stores a vast amount of sensitive guest information like names, phone numbers, addresses, and credit card numbers. Some of the five risks included complex ownership structures, reliance on paying by card, and insider threats to name a few. In order to avoid these threats, the article suggest that companies become PCI compliant, use cybersecurity measures like firewalls, and know where exactly their data is stored.

Article talks about how cyber hacking is at an all-time high in the hospitality industry. Two main areas that hackers look into the most would be loyalty programs and POS systems as they have more important data. It also talks about how companies can do in order to better protect themselves such as firewalls.

The writer of this article is Hospitality Upgrade. It includes the expanding worries of the hotel sector.  The key ratio of spend, gap analysis, and a focus on compliance are the top three main strategies being used by the hotel sector. In addition, the other measures are made by businesses to aid in preventing such breaches and the financial repercussions that result from them.

PCI compliance is a crucial and necessary set of guidelines that all hotels must follow. The Payment Card Industry Security Standard was created in 2006 and outlines rules regarding accepting, storing, and/or processing card information. These rules were put into place to protect consumers sensitive information. For example, in 2014 Marriott hotels was attacked and 300 million guests information was compromised. This attack led to new regulations being put into place, the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2). These regulations take into account international customers and enhanced guidelines for sensitive data.

This article addresses the cybersecurity trends in hospitality for 2022. They talked about the risks for the hospitality industry and how much it can cost the company if there is a breach. It also talks about how bringing third party vendors in can be a risk to your company. It ends by talking about how to protect todays infrastructure by locking down logins, empowering staff, making a plan, and getting insured.

To Sum the article, Hoteliers consider high-tech security technology since the outbreak of the coronavirus and the safety of residents in hotel. In order for hotel to prevent the virus from spreading they'll consider limiting who has access to the facility. Another, to prevent criminal activity to take place within hotels by granting access to person who notify resident who stays and to be buzz in, contactless on key card and more.

This article explains how hotels are very prone to cyber attacks since they store personal information of millions of travelers every day. They need to win over the trust of the guests.

This article discusses the most active cyber threats that exist today. I chose this article because it highlights a topic many industry leaders aren't aware of. Many view cyber attacks as crimes of opportunity, which they often are. However, we have to remember that there are also dedicated groups who are committed to acquiring data they shouldn't have. Knowing these groups, their signs, and what industries they target can help create a stronger team and plan to protect against them. These are especially common in hospitality and retail.

This article talks about the current applications of 3 innovative technologies and how they are used in the hospitality industry.

This article contains information about the detection of data stealing malware by researchers in an Israel-based company (Seculert). Follow up research discovered that malware was found in POS systems in hotels and other businesses as well. It is believed that the payment hubs are the next cybercriminal targets. In the article, it explains what the malware was and how to identify it. Researchers agree that it doesn't directly infect the systems, but was created to make analysis difficult. Though it is relieving that this malware had been detected, it shows the importance of higher security for POS systems. So many payments are made through these systems. Any attacks can jeopardize the privacy of customers' payment information and company information. This could lead to a distrust issue and could end badly for companies. So, the security definitely needs improving. However, it should be remembered that hackers get smarter daily. So, information will not always be safe. This leads to the need of companies to constantly improve their security. It would be a good start.

This article talks about the recent hack of HEI Hotel & Resorts that occurred in June of this year, where 20 HEI-operated hotels were breached via their POS system. The malware had been discovered in June but the company reported that it could have been active since March 1st, 2015 in some systems. The article also talks about how POS systems are common targets for hacking and goes on to mention some of the other recent cybersecurity risks that have occurred in the industry, where their POS systems were the targets of hacking. The American Hotel & Lodging Association met with a group of other associations to discuss the issues of cybersecurity and look for possible solutions. However, the industry has not taken measures to amplify their security, probably due to the history with certain IT standards, the cost of starting over, and potential privacy issues. The article claims that, overall, the industry has not done much to change the inherent security risks with regards to technology.

Fifty percent of respondents to a recent Unisys (NYSE: UIS) online poll said cloud computing is their top IT investment priority for 2012. This is the second straight year respondents to a Unisys poll named cloud as the chief priority for IT investments in the coming year.Other respondents to the poll listed cyber-security (21 percent), mobile/social computing (21 percent) and big data (8 percent) as their top 2012 IT priorities. From the U.S. federal government's 'cloud first' policy to enterprise business units' demands for greater IT responsiveness, business decision makers are embracing both private and public cloud computing models. They now see the cloud as a vital way to obtain IT services that enable them to provide solutions for clients and deliver competitive products to market quickly and cost-efficiently."

I think it`s very good potential investment in cloud computing.Because the economy is coming out of one of the worst recessions in recent history and companies have a different mindset than they did in the past, the first factor is cost cutting. All companies in all industries have been looking for ways to lower costs when times are tough and cloud computing will help facilitate this. The second factor is increased production. In a perfect world a company could lower cost and increase production at the same time.So cloud computing is the best way.

This article deals with the theft that happens on a daily basis in the hospitality field. It happens when credit cards are used to pay for something, like a reservation, and thieves want the information, so they can use your credit card number for whatever intentions they may have. As the article states, "our data is under attack". I can relate to those people that have had credit card numbers stolen, because it has happened to my husband and me, and it is a horrible feeling trying to get your life back on track and recover your money.  I think it would be a great idea, with some research, to get the point to point encryption technology in a field where credit cards are used so often, not only to cover the business (hotel), but also to protect the guest, so they feel at easy when they travel on vacation or business.  The overall point of this technology is to encrypt the information as close to the point of entry, i.e. the swiping of the credit card, as possible. This would in turn "significantly reduce a merchant's card data environment", as the program would encrypt the information so that hackers cannot access the customer's information. As I mentioned earlier, questions should be asked before buying this technology, as there is always something new on the market that may be better. Credit cards are not always swiped, but can also be manually placed in the system, so you want to make sure, that both transactions are protected. Overall, the establishment should always be concerned about the customer and their safety, whether physical or mental and always be prepared for the worse.

Great article! Personally after being a victim of credit card fraud, I'm very apprehensive of where I shop, who handles my card and how long it takes them to return it. I recently cancelled a large purchased after the cashier insisted on rubbing my card number on the reciept after the transactions had be approved. In my mind, I was thinking "If I let you do that, then I've open the door for anyone to charge thousand of dollars. I don't think so." As a manager, who hands credit card numbers for manual input, I'm very cautious of them and want to insure that they don't get into the wrong hand. Aftern each transactions is approved, that number is shredded and the credit card machine is batched out. Companies don't realize how important it is to PCI compliant. The risk in exposing sensitive information of our clients and customers can cost thousand of dolllars in fines and fee, in addition to the lost of that customer/client.

Marilyn, Great Article...as a Front Desk Manager, it is my responsibility to randomly check our computers to ensure employees are not placing USB driver to collect data from our system. Our company has taking this a step further by putting metal locked case around the PC to avoid possible fraudulent activity. If we have to open a PC, we must log it to show proof why a PC became unlock. Companies should adopt similar procedures to protect the consumers/guests. Nelson

Today's travelers expect a strong network security. The challenge is that many hotels lack the IT resources because of budget. As a result, IT functions are limited to making sure security patches are up to date and services are running rather than proactively identifying security threats and preventing. This article introduces cloud-based security system as a solution. With the network security system, IT headquarters can monitor and manage the entire network. Also, hotels can save the cost for on-site IT resources and security appliances. It was interesting that cloud-based security is a solution for network security when there are many opinions that cloud computing is not safe. 

This article talks about the limitation of hotel network security issue, then introduce one solution to it. First of all, it mentions since the usage of Internet is growing big more than ever, customers has more attention and requirement on Network Security. Actually, staff of IT department spend most of their time on updating system and other mid-level support, while they should spend more time on proactively identifying security threats and preventing attacks. This happens due to finance and human source constraints. Lucky for us, there is already one effective solution, keyword, cloud computing. Buy applying cloud computing, IT staff only need set up firewall, configure security system on headquarter. After then configuration is done, they send out these IPS device to branch companies. The security system will automatically update through these devices, no more traveling between properties.

While many hotels right now are keeping and tracking down their valued customers' information, lots of those hotels are facing security problems also. Customers expect ironclad security that protects their entire "online" experience in the hotel, from online booking and iPad-enabled check-in to the wireless connectivity in their rooms. In today's cyber threat environment, that makes the hospitality industry a desirable and lucrative target for attacks. This article mainly talked about how to strength hotel network security.It suggested that a strong network security solution should combine cloud-based security configuration with plug and play installation of a firewall and IPS appliances. Which can be described as Taking Network Security to the Cloud.The IPS device will automatically contact and authenticate to the installation cloud, retrieve its configuration, and then reboot into the hotel's network ready to protect.