Simple Steps You Can Take To Ensure Your Guests’ Information Is Secure

A breach in the security of guests’ information at your B&B reflects badly on your brand reputation and can be a serious detriment to future revenue. Hoteliers need to ensure they’re providing comprehensive security, not only for their guests and their physical belongings but also their digital security.

Here are some simple steps to ensure you are keeping your guests and their information safe and sound…

Follow Best Practice For Physical Security

One of the best ways to implement physical security is having different keys for different areas of your B&B. With specific keys for the main door, office and guest rooms, guests will not be able to enter parts of the property or access information that isn’t relevant to them. Ensure you are checking ID’s before issuing replacement room keys.

If part of your check in process is to take copies of your guests personal information, be it drivers licence, passport or ID card, then be sure you take measures to store this securely in a safe-type locked location.

Use A Secure Payment Gateway For Direct Bookings

Possessing a safe online booking tool is important for converting guests. Customers often feel uncomfortable providing payment details over the phone or via email, and will feel far more secure in booking directly through your website if your booking engine integrates with a leading payment gateway.

Make sure your PMS supports the secure transmission of payment card details and sends guests an automatic confirmation message as soon as payment is accepted. This will show guests you are trustworthy and provide reassurance that their information has gone to the correct place.

Be Aware And Implement Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the technology, processes and practices designed to protect networks, computers, programs and data from unauthorized access.

Here are CERT Australia’s most critical tips for businesses to reduce the risk of a data breach:

1. Keep malware from attacking your computer by keeping your software up to date

A good method for this is to use internet based cloud technology instead of updating software programs on multiple computers. With cloud technology you will only require one application login and your data will be backed up in real time.

Because cloud-based suppliers automatically backup and update their system, the need for costly hardware and the worry of losing important customer information during difficult installations will be eliminated.

2. Use Unique Passwords And Access

Creating different users and splitting access levels for each employee will reduce the opportunity for a hacker to gain control of your system. Managing what access employees have also makes it easier to track user activity and restrict access to certain areas.

For example, Little Hotelier allows you to select between ‘User’ or ‘Supervisor’ and implements a two-factor authentication for sensitive information. This adds a high level of security for your front desk system, and the guest information it stores, by limiting access to only your necessary employees.

Supervisors will be prompted to enter a security code when:

•   Viewing card details within a reservation
•   Editing card details within a reservation
•   Changing email address in the user account settings page