Key hotel cybersecurity predictions every hospitality leader should be preparing for the year ahead
Hotels worldwide are accelerating the convergence of physical and digital experiences, transforming properties into highly connected, cloud-managed environments. As guest-centric smart technologies become standard, hotel operations grow more sophisticated but also more exposed, introducing new layers of cybersecurity risk.
Looking ahead to 2026, the hospitality industry will contend with an evolving threat landscape shaped by tighter regulations, rapid AI adoption, and the growing value of guest data. And it’s a must to take these threats seriously – the average cost of a data breach in hospitality was $3.86 million in 2024. Below are my seven hotel cybersecurity predictions for the coming year, along with practical strategies hoteliers can use to reduce risk and strengthen resilience.
1. AI-Driven Phishing Will Exceed the Limits of Traditional Security Models
Malicious actors are increasingly using artificial intelligence to craft sophisticated, contextually relevant messages that closely mimic internal communication styles or appear to be correspondence from suppliers. Unlike the “urgent invoice” emails, today’s AI tools can make these messages extremely targeted with appropriate tone and even personalized grammatical flair.
In the hospitality industry, which relies immensely on emails for everything from coordinating bookings to guest communications, this evolution significantly heightens the risk brought about by social engineering to make it one of the most prominent in 2026.
Mitigation:
Deploy AI-powered threat detection that can pick up on behavioral anomalies, rather than simply keyword or domain-based filters. Run regular phishing simulations and focused awareness training to prepare staff for recognition of contextual red flags-not just visual ones. Establish a “trust but verify” culture before processing payments or releasing sensitive data.
2. Ransomware-as-a-Service Will Increasingly Disrupt Core Operational Systems
Ransomware groups are moving away from mere encryption towards disrupting operations. For hotels, that means hacking property management systems, door locks, HVAC controls, and integrations of bookings. The aim is to bring operations to a grinding halt with minimal effort, necessitating a payout for restore access.
Mitigation:
Segment IT and OT networks so that a breach in one cannot cascade to the other. Conduct tabletop exercises simulating the loss of key systems, and review business continuity plans regularly. Ensure critical backups are isolated and tested, not just stored.
3. Deepfake Technology Will Introduce New Risks at Guest-Facing Touchpoints
In 2026, deepfakes will move from being celebrity hoaxes to operational fraud. Imagine a voice message that sounds convincingly like your general manager asking to approve a wire transfer, or that video call from a “vendor representative” confirming a change in payment. This will become cheap and scalable with the release of free-to-use AI tools.
Mitigation:
Institute strict out-of-band verification for financial and data-sensitive operations, with secondary approval via a known phone number or through internal messaging. Provide training to staff on questioning unusual requests, even if they seem to originate from senior management.
4. Cybersecurity Compliance Will Become a Core Business Requirement
In 2026, the EU’s NIS2 directive and Cyber Resilience Act will spur a global rollout of even tighter cybersecurity and privacy regulations. This introduces a patchwork of requirements impacting vendors, connected devices, and digital services for hotels operating in multiple regions.
Mitigation:
Map out your technology supply chain and document compliance status for each system and vendor. Then implement a cybersecurity framework such as ISO 27001 or NIST as a unifying baseline. Hoteliers also need to make sure that data processing agreements and vendor contracts are updated reflecting evolving regional requirements.
5. Smart Room Technologies Will Expand the Enterprise Attack Surface
IoT digital assistants, smart TVs, and connected minibars have become standard in upscale properties. However, many devices leverage outdated firmware, hard-coded credentials, or insecure network configurations. Compromised devices may leak guest data, enable remote surveillance, or serve as points of entry to the wider network.
Mitigation:
Inventory all connected devices and apply zero-trust network principles to each device type, operating in an isolated VLAN with strict traffic rules. Engage vendors closely to enforce patching schedules and require vulnerability disclosure programs. Use regular third-party penetration testing to uncover weak points before the attackers do.
6. Cyber Insurance Will Enforce Higher Security and Governance Standards
Losses to ransomware are causing insurers to increase premiums, while underwriting requirements are becoming stricter. Most hospitality groups will no longer be covered for many attack vectors unless controls such as MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication), EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), and incident response plans can be proven in place.
Mitigation:
Treat insurance renewals as an annual security assessment, engaging with brokers early, documenting improvements, and leveraging insurer audits to benchmark maturity.
7. Cyber Resilience Will Become a Pillar of Sustainable Operations
In the future, the hospitality industry’s focus on sustainability will expand to digital sustainability: securely managing data, reducing system waste, and ensuring cyber resilience as part of responsible operations. Guests and investors alike will expect hotels to demonstrate trust, transparency, and preparedness.
Mitigation:
Integrate cybersecurity metrics into ESG reporting. Show how your data protection, incident response, and digital ethics match up against your values of sustainability. In so doing, you will engender trust with regulators and guests who increasingly will care about how their data is treated.
Hotel Cybersecurity Predictions and Mitigations: Build Guest Trust
Gone are the days when it was all about compliance checklists or IT hygiene; cybersecurity in hospitality has become central to brand integrity and guest trust. In 2026, the most successful hotels will be those that see security as an enabler of reliability, not a constraint on innovation.
By preparing with these hotel cybersecurity predictions and embedding cyber resilience into daily operations, staff culture, and technology strategy, hoteliers can ensure that each digital experience is as welcoming and secure as the physical one. Nomadix can help your property with hospitality technology built to meet the latest security standards. Please reach out with any questions or to see how Nomadix tech is made to last.
Dr. Chris Spencer is a seasoned security expert with over two decades of experience in the dynamic realm of technology. He’s played a pivotal role in designing and fortifying some of the world’s largest and most secure Wi-Fi networks and technologies, including Next Generation Hotspots (NGH) Passpoint, OpenRoaming and CAPPORT API.
Spencer serves as Director & Head of Product Security, overseeing the security and operations of ASSA ABLOY’s hospitality division. In his concurrent role as CISO of Nomadix and GlobalReach, Chris leads security operations across the brands, securing critical infrastructure and achieving internationally recognized certifications, including Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001. He is also a trusted member of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Partnership and is involved in initiatives such as the National Technical Assistance Centre and Agile Retained Data System.