By Mike Pavicich | Director, Global Sales | SalesAndCatering.com
In the modern, data-centric, tech-reliant hospitality industry, hotels depend heavily on third-party vendors to streamline operations, enhance guest service, and maximize profits and productivity. This dependency, however, introduces a vulnerability as it involves sharing sensitive data with these external partners.
Recent and many high-profile cybersecurity breaches have underscored the inherent risks in such arrangements, where hotels can be held accountable for any data breaches. Consequently, the critical task for hotels is to ensure that their data ownership remains intact and unbreached, even when leveraging the services provided by technology vendors.
Data Control
In an era where hotels increasingly leverage sophisticated technology systems, the significance of data ownership cannot be overstated. Establishing and maintaining control over their data is crucial for hotels; they must routinely scrutinize and update data security policies to clearly define data ownership, access rights, and the responsibilities of all involved parties. Such proactive measures safeguard valuable digital assets and signify a hotel’s dedication to robust data management and protection against potential threats from technology partners.
Contracts with technology vendors must assert the hotel’s ownership and control of its data, explicitly delineating the measures partners will take to secure this information. By setting clear expectations and standards for vendors, hotels can substantially mitigate the risks associated with data breaches originating from third-party vulnerabilities.
However, some software solutions, particularly extensive on-premise systems, must be revised to comply with privacy regulations. These difficulties are often exacerbated by outdated technologies that lack critical security features like encryption, making it notably challenging, if possible, to adhere to stringent security requirements.
Data Ethics
Despite the widespread adoption of cloud computing in the hospitality industry, data ownership concerns persist, often leading to mistrust in potential technology partners. This apprehension can result in operational challenges, particularly when hotel operators feel uncertain about the safety and control of their data.
At SalesAndCatering.com, we proudly announce the launch of our “Your Data, Your Control” initiative, which is dedicated to reaffirming clients’ data ownership and control. With STS Cloud, clients are assured that their data remains exclusively theirs—secure, private, and under their control. This level of commitment is vital for fostering trust between partners and ensuring operational continuity in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Clear contractual language should also specify how long the technology partner retains data and the procedures for its deletion at the end of the partnership. This ensures that hoteliers can terminate relationships with technology providers without fear of future data compromise.
Understanding the shared responsibility model is essential. In this model, hoteliers are responsible for on-property data security, and technology partners, like SalesAndCatering.com, protect their networks from external threats. Training staff on proper security protocols is vital, as many security breaches result from misconfigured or improperly used equipment.
Regular vulnerability audits, conducted in collaboration with technology partners and external experts, are recommended to identify and address potential threats before they materialize. By adhering to these best practices, hotels can enhance their data security, improve operational efficiency, and maintain a secure, trusted partnership with SalesAndCatering.com.
In an era where data is considered the new gold, the significance of data ownership for hotels cannot be overstated. As digital transformation accelerates, the protection and control of data assets become paramount. Today, effective data management is essential for navigating the intricate landscape of information and access points that hospitality operations engage with. Furthermore, the necessity of safeguarding collected data only intensifies as the hotel industry continues to expand and deepen its reliance on data-driven strategies.
