We live in a world where cybersecurity isn’t just about technology – it’s about protecting the trust of our guests and the privacy of our students. For managers in the hospitality sector and senior leaders in education, recognising its importance isn’t just crucial; it’s vital for maintaining the integrity of their establishments.

This article aims to simplify cybersecurity, offering practical insights tailored to the specific needs of those in hospitality and education.

Why Cyber Security matters

Cyber threats are everywhere.

Last year alone, 60% of hotels experienced a data breach, according to a report by the Ponemon Institute. And if that wasn’t enough, over half the schools in the USA faced cyber incidents, as reported by the CISA. These stats are not just numbers; they’re wake up calls. They show us that Cyber security is not just a technology issue – it’s a crucial part of running a successful hotel or educational institution.

Types of threats we face

1. Phishing scams
   Phishing scams are like digital traps set by cybercriminals, aiming to deceive unsuspecting individuals into revealing sensitive information. For hotels, these scams may target guest databases, posing a significant risk to guest privacy. Similarly, higher educational establishments may fall for a phishing attempt that targets faculty or student information.
2. Ransomware attacks:
   Ransomware attacks involve malicious software that encrypts data, effectively holding it hostage until a ransom is paid. For hotels, an attack like this could block reservation systems, leading to disrupted operations and compromised guest experiences. In the education sector, such attacks could involve ransomware on student databases, jeopardising the integrity of student records.

Tips and Strategies to Enhance Online Safety:

1. Use anti-virus and anti-malware
   As long as you are connected to the web, it’s impossible to have complete and total protection from malware. However, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability by ensuring you have anti-virus and anti-malware software installed on your computer.
2. Keep software up to date
   Software companies typically provide updates for three reasons: to add new features, fix known bugs and upgrade security. Always update to the latest version of your software to protect yourself from new or existing security vulnerabilities.
3. Enable 2-factor authentication
   Many platforms now allow you to enable 2-factor authentication to keep your accounts secure. It’s another layer of protection that helps verify that it’s you who is accessing your account and not someone unauthorised. Enable this security feature whenever you can, especially if you use Microsoft 365.
4. Avoid opening suspicious emails
   If an email looks suspicious, don’t open it as it might be a phishing scam. Someone might be impersonating another individual or company to gain access to your information. Sometimes the emails may also include attachments or links that can infect your devices.
5. Check links before you click
   Links can easily be disguised as something they’re not, so it’s best to double-check before you click on the link. On most browsers, you can see the target URL by hovering over the link. Do this to check links before you click on them.

Whilst there are procedures within your organisation that you can put in place to help reduce the threat of these attacks, they will remain a major threat to your organisation, as the technology available to cybercriminals continues to develop, meaning that the likeliness of your business being struck is increasing all the time.

Trust Nybble as your Cyber Security Partner

As an IT company that knows the threat and magnitude that cybercriminals conduct, Nybble understands the importance of ensuring their clients have the appropriate measurements in place. We stay up to date with all the latest cyber security technology to ensure our clients remain safe against the threat of an online attack.

To further your trust that you are in capable hands with Nybble, we have achieved accreditation in Cyber Essentials. Cyber Essentials is a government-backed and industry-supported scheme that helps businesses protect themselves against the growing threat of cyber-attacks.

As part of our services, we offer a FREE Cyber Security Review of your company’s current security infrastructure, enabling us to develop a comprehensive understanding of your situation to offer the most efficient, secure solutions at a price you can afford.

Trust Nybble.co.uk as your cyber security partner and gain peace of mind that your business is secure against the rising threat of cybercrime.

Partner with Nybble: Contact us at enquiries@nybble.co.uk or call 0330 0020886 to explore how Managed IT Services can transform your business.

nybble.co.uk

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