Blog

-Opinion-
 

Has the Marriott data breach gone too far?

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As the news of the Marriott data breach slowly trickles out, people are beginning to realize just how extensive this hack was. This is a huge blow to the hospitality sector, and it serves as a reminder that cybersecurity is more important than ever.

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For the hospitality industry, this means being extra vigilant about cybersecurity and making sure that your guests' information is safe. With so much at stake, there's no room for complacency when it comes to cybersecurity.

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Marriott's data breach is a harsh reminder of that:

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• Cybersecurity should be a top priority for all businesses, especially those in the hospitality industry.

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• There are many steps that businesses can take to protect their data, and cybersecurity should be a top priority.

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• With rogue states leaning more and more into cyber-warfare, no business is immune to cyber attacks, so it's essential to take steps to protect your data.

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This can't stop at the hospitality sector alone. While Marriott found themselves critically exposed with how much customer data they had allowed to be vulnerable, they aren't the only ones. Storing credit card and personal data is commonplace in a number of industries.

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There are a number of steps that businesses can take to protect their cybersecurity:

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• Educate your employees about cybersecurity: Make sure they know how to protect themselves online, and how to identify potential cyber threats.

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• Encrypt your data: This makes it much harder for hackers to access your data if they do manage to get into your system.

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• Invest in cybersecurity: Don't skimp on cybersecurity measures just because you think you can't afford it. Investing in cybersecurity now will save you a lot of money in the long run.

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• Recognise that cybersecurity is an ongoing issue: It's not something you can set and forget.

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The digital world has, in many ways, been a blessing for businesses and their profit margins. But the reality is that this can be a double edged sword and firms that allow their cyber security to fall to the wayside will be punished severely... just as Marriott was.