The hospitality industry has recently experienced significant technological advancements. Our increasing reliance on connected infrastructure, encompassing smart rooms and personalized guest experiences, will continue to expand in 2025 and beyond. As the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Nomadix, I have witnessed firsthand how technological advancements bring forth evolving threats. In this post, I will endeavor to identify the top three IT and information security risks for hotels to be vigilant against in 2025, along with corresponding strategies for mitigation.
1. Sophisticated Ransomware and Phishing Attacks
The Risk:
Ransomware attacks have become increasingly targeted and sophisticated, frequently employing social engineering and phishing tactics to gain unauthorized access to organizations. In fact, the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) reported 932,923 phishing attacks in the third quarter of 2024 alone.
Hotels, which handle substantial volumes of sensitive customer data (including payment information and personal identification), are particularly vulnerable to such attacks. A single compromised account can effectively lock down critical systems, leading to operational disruptions, reputational damage, and substantial recovery costs.
Mitigation Strategies:
- Employee Training: Regularly train staff at all levels to recognize phishing emails and suspicious links. Reinforce the importance of verifying email senders and attachments before clicking.
- Endpoint Protection: Implement advanced endpoint protection tools to detect and isolate ransomware before it spreads across the network.
- Regular Backups and Testing: To ensure business continuity if an incident occurs, maintain frequent, secure backups of critical data and test restore procedures.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA for all critical systems and user accounts. This adds an extra layer of security against unauthorized access.
2. Expanding Attack Surface via IoT and Smart Devices
The Risk:
In a 2024 mid-year update, an increase of 107% in IoT malware attacks was reported. As more properties incorporate IoT devices such as smart thermostats, keyless entry systems, and voice assistants, each device presents a potential entry point for cyber threats. Many IoT devices lack robust security measures or receive inadequate updates and patches, rendering them vulnerable to malicious actors.
Mitigation Strategies:
- Network Segmentation: Separate IoT devices from core networks and customer data. By isolating them, a breach in one area does not give attackers carte blanche to move laterally and access sensitive data.
- Robust Device Management: Deploy a centralized IoT management platform to monitor devices, track firmware updates, and maintain secure configurations.
- Vendor Vetting: Work with reputable IoT vendors and ensure they comply with security best practices. Request detailed information on security and patch processes as part of the procurement process.
- Secure Configuration and Updates: To reduce the attack surface, implement strong passwords, patch IoT devices regularly, and disable unnecessary ports or functionalities.
3. Evolving Privacy & Regulatory Landscape
The Risk:
Stricter global data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and emerging legislation worldwide require hotels to exercise utmost vigilance in managing the collection, storage, and processing of guest information.
Non-compliance with these regulations can result in substantial fines, legal consequences, and a detrimental impact on customer trust. Regarding guest trust, a consumer privacy survey reports that 75% of respondents said they would not purchase from an organization they do not trust with their data.
Mitigation Strategies:
- Privacy-by-Design: Incorporate privacy measures and data protection principles into your operations. This includes how your software is developed and how it collects and stores guest data.
- Data Mapping & Classification: Understand where sensitive data resides, who has access to it, and how it flows within your organization. Classify data accordingly (e.g., personal, payment, confidential) so you can prioritize protective measures.
- Incident Response Planning: Develop and regularly test a response plan for potential data breaches. A swift, transparent response can reduce regulatory scrutiny and help maintain guest trust.
- Regular Compliance Audits: Conduct frequent audits and assessments to ensure that evolving regulatory requirements are being met. This includes reviewing data retention policies, access controls, and vendor agreements.
Looking Ahead
To remain ahead of IT and information security risks for hotels in 2025, a comprehensive and proactive approach involving people, processes, and technology is essential. At Nomadix, we are dedicated to assisting hotels, among other industries, in overcoming these challenges by providing secure and reliable solutions that protect their operations and guest experiences. Through implementing layered security measures, continuous monitoring of emerging threats, and promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness, we can collectively ensure that innovation continues to flourish while safeguarding our guests’ data and trust. If you have further questions about how to safeguard your property infrastructure, don’t hesitate to reach out.
About the Author
Dr. Chris Spencer is the Chief Information Security Officer at Nomadix, and GlobalReach Technology, ASSA ABLOY companies, and has been a technology leader in the Wi-Fi industry for well over two decades. Previously the Chief Technology Officer for GlobalReach, for over 20 years, his team helped to design and build some of the world’s largest secure Wi-Fi networks, allowing seamless connectivity for users.
A recognized thought leader in best-practice secure, seamless sign-on experience, and the use of Passpoint (Hotspot 2.0), Chris has been involved in the specification, and delivery of Next Generation Hotspots (NGH), and has led and co-led several industry working groups for the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) and the Seamless Air Alliance (SAA).