Hackers Target Hospitality

The hospitality sector is the biggest victim of data security breaches in the world, according to Trustwave, a global provider of IT security and compliance headquartered in Chicago. Its latest Global Security Report found that hospitality businesses accounted for 38% of all data security breaches last year, compared to 19% for financial services and 14% for retail.

Software point of sale (POS) systems were targeted in 83% of all reported cases and considered “low-hanging fruit to even the novice attacker.”

In the last two years, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, and a Westin hotel in Los Angeles have been targeted by hackers who have stolen customer identity and credit card data.

Security breaches can result in loss of business and reputation damage.  In the US the combination of high penalties and the threat of being unable to accept payment from MasterCard, Visa and American Express has encouraged businesses to tighten up their security.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), created by MasterCard, Visa and American Express and other major credit card companies, has been active in the US for almost three years and is now being rolled out to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

From 30 September PCI DSS will apply to UK businesses which process more than six million transactions per year. Achieving compliance involves having a quarterly network scan and completing a compliance form.

Click here to access Compliance Resources, including a self assessment questionnaire

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