Why two-factor authentication is essential for accommodation providers
A recent high-profile cyberattack on a major international hotel group serves as a stark warning about the vulnerabilities in our sector and the critical need for proactive security measures.
Having robust cybersecurity in place has become a necessity in today’s accommodation industry, largely due to the vast amount of guest data stored digitally on internet-connected devices and servers.
While there’s no silver bullet for cyber security, measures such as two factor authentication (2FA) - which requires people to use two different means of verifying themselves when logging into a secure system – can significantly reduce the risk that your business being compromised.
A wake-up call for the industry
A major hotel group, which operates around 80 hotels across seven brands throughout New Zealand, Australia and Europe, experienced a significant cyberattack in March and is working through the recovery process – highlighting the complexity of restoring compromised systems.
The impact of the cyberattack has been far-reaching and severely disrupted the hotel group’s normal business operations.
- Offline communication and booking systems: Core booking and communication platforms were forced offline, leaving staff unable to access guest information or process reservations normally.
- Manual workarounds: With digital systems compromised, staff had to implement manual workarounds, creating a surge in customer service inquiries that put significant pressure on staff whose resources were already stretched thin.
- Inability to process online payments: Online payment-processing systems were disabled, forcing staff to rely on manual payment methods – adding a layer of friction to the guest experience.
- Compromised booking information: Questions around the integrity of guest data created challenges in service delivery.
The recovery process continues
The fact that the hotel group is still working to fully restore its systems emphasises the damage cyberattacks can cause and underscores that prevention is better than cure when facing sophisticated online threats.
How two-factor authentication can protect your business
Implementing two-factor authentication is a powerful way to boost cybersecurity and is one of the most effective steps accommodation providers can take to protect their data from malicious cyber threats.
- Extra online armour: 2FA requires two forms of verification before access is granted, making it harder for unauthorised users to access your systems.
- Safeguarding sensitive information: With the wealth of personal and financial data handled by accommodation providers, 2FA helps ensure this information remains protected from security breaches.
- Minimising potential damage: With 2FA in place, it becomes considerably more difficult for bad actors online to cause substantial business disruption.
Staying ahead of industry standards
While many of our competitors may not yet have adopted 2FA, the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks make its implementation critical. Such measures will soon become standard practice. Waiting until after an incident occurs can lead to significant operational disruption, financial losses and reputational damage – not to mention upset guests.
A proactive approach to security
This industry cyberattack is an unfortunate example that reinforces the need for businesses to have robust cybersecurity measures in place to avoid the pitfalls of operating in today’s complex digital landscape. By implementing 2FA, accommodation providers can help safeguard their operations, protect guest data and maintain the trust that forms the foundation of the hospitality business.
At Seekom, we’re committed to providing the tools and support you need to operate securely online. This is why we will be rolling out a phased implementation of mandatory 2FA from 20 May, as an important step in our ongoing efforts to protect your business and your guests.
Rest assured, our support team is on hand to answer any questions you might have and help you implement 2FA smoothly.
When it comes to cybersecurity, being proactive isn’t just good practice – it’s good business.
Ready to get started?
We encourage you to opt in to 2FA as soon as possible rather than waiting until it becomes mandatory. Early adoption allows your team to become familiar with the new login process at a time that suits you.
Thank you for partnering with us in creating a more secure environment for your business and guests. Together, we're taking an important step forward in protecting what matters most.
If you have any questions about the 2FA implementation process, please read our 2FA user guide or contact our friendly support team.
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