Blizzard Toolbox - Check Your Hotel’s Online Security
Trent Blizzard | 13 April 2006 |
Nearly every lodging property, from a small bed and breakfast to a large hotel has a full-time and fast Internet connection. The bandwidth is typically delivered by DSL, Cable or T1. This fast Internet connection is the online lifeblood for your guest’s computers, back-office administrative computers, and even the Property Management Software (PMS) Server running on-site. All of this connectivity creates a natural security concern for all innkeepers or hoteliers: Hackers.
We recommend you try the free Shields UP! security scan on a few of the computers at your inn or hotel. Shields UP! It will challenge your firewall and your own computer’s security settings. It then creates a report showing important information about Internet vulnerabilities, precautions and solutions. When your run the test, remember to check each of your key systems:
- Servers running Customer Relationship Management, Email, Reservation Systems or Property Management Software
- Computers used by Reservationists and Back-office administrative staff
- Computers made available to your hotel’s guests
Shields UP! tests your computers for known vulnerabilities that hackers can and will attack. A few minutes testing for vulnerabilities may save hours of headaches later on.
While you are at it, make sure your other obvious vulnerabilites are being addressed:
- Your data is backed up regularly
- You run anti-virus and anti-spyware software
- You create robust passwords.
Trent Blizzard - Blizzard Internet Marketing, Inc.
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April 15th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
In addition to this I would also add that you should make sure that staff know not to EVER give out a password over the phone. Many security breaches happen by an innocent phone call. The phone rings and the person on the other end says; “Hi, this is Jim on the tech team at Blah, Blah Company, I just need your password to check that the email is working, seems something crashed and we need to rebuild your accounts.” or some other excuse. The staff member freely gives out the info thinking it is a legitimate call. You should NEVER give out passwords. IT people would not need this information to access information on an account.