Cyber criminals are actively targeting the travel and tourism industry. According to one report, 72% of SMEs in the travel sector have fallen victim to at least one cyberattack in recent years.
In this post we will outline the key cyber security threats for travel agents and tour operators, and explore some ways you can protect your business.
Cyber Security Threats for Travel Agents & Tour Operators
- Ransomware – Cyber criminals can encrypt your files, making your online systems unusable unless you pay a costly ransom. If you do not pay this ransom, the cyber criminals will either delete your files, or they will leak them. This will put you and your customers at risk of further exploitation.
- Data Breach – If hackers gain entry to your system, they might choose to steal your data outright, rather than encrypt it as part of a ransomware attack. A data breach will put your customers at risk of identity theft, and it will also result in significant reputational damage for your business.
- SQL Injection – Structured Query Language (SQL) is a form of coding used in database management. An SQL injection involves submitting malicious code into a data entry field on your website, which can allow hackers to access your database.
- Phishing – This is a means, rather than an end, of cyberattacking. It involves sending a fake message, usually via email or text, that appears genuine. This can trick employees into providing login codes, or other entry points into your system, leaving your business vulnerable to further cyberattacks.
Why Are Cybercriminals Targeting Travel Agents & Tour Operators?
There are a few reasons why travel agents and tour operators are prime targets for cybercriminals:
- Valuable Data – You will handle huge amounts of sensitive customer data as part of your work, all of which can prove immensely valuable to cybercriminals.
- Multiple Points of Attack – With an increasingly remote workforce, and multichannel booking and communication systems, cybercriminals have multiple points of attack.
- Lack of Awareness – Your employees specialise in travel, tourism, and customer service. They may not be so experienced when it comes to IT and cybersecurity. As such, they may not recognise a phishing email until it is too late.
- Lack of Resources – Around 80% of travel and tourism businesses are SMEs. Cybercriminals tend to target smaller businesses over larger businesses. This is because they know that smaller businesses are less likely to have the resources in place to protect themselves against cyberattacks. As a result, following a ransomware attack, many SMEs will have no choice but to pay the hackers’ ransom.
How To Protect Your Travel and Tourism Business Against Cyberattacks
Establish Your Cybersecurity Policy and Procedures
Your cybersecurity policy and procedures document should outline the risk your business faces, along with the steps you expect all employees to take in to safeguard your data. This can include basic procedures, such as always locking devices when they are not being used, along with policies for ongoing staff training.
Make sure everyone can access your cybercrime policies and procedures and take steps to communicate it across your organisation. You should also routinely review and update the document to meet new and emerging cybersecurity threats.
Staff Training and Development
Ensure that employees at all levels of your business understand the risks of cybercrime, and the part they can play in keeping themselves, and the business, safe. At the very least, you should ensure that every member of staff knows how to recognise a phishing attack.
Cybersecurity training should form part of your employee induction process, and all staff should receive refresher training at least once a year.
If any of your employees work from home, your cybersecurity training should cover how staff can safeguard customer data when accessing your system remotely.
Consider the Role of Cybersecurity Consultants
A third-party cybersecurity consultant can assist you in threat modelling, helping you to understand the vulnerable areas in your network. They can also run network vulnerability and penetration testing, which can involve simulating a cyberattack to assess how you might enhance your security.
Invest in Cybersecurity Software
A good antivirus system usually includes multiple cybersecurity features, including automatic blocks for malicious websites and unwanted network access. Invest in a good system, and make sure you update it as often as possible.
Software updates are a vital part of any cybersecurity policy, as cybercriminals are constantly looking for vulnerabilities in outdated software. As well as keeping your cybersecurity software up to date, also be sure to regularly update any software you use to manage your website, your customer database, and your accounts.
Ensure you have Cybersecurity Insurance
Finally, a cyber insurance policy can provide cover for customer data loss, and for system breaches. While this might not prevent attacks from occurring in the first place, it can at least help your business recover should you ever fall victim to a cyberattack.
At James Hallam, we can provide you with comprehensive cyber insurance cover as part of a wider travel and tourism insurance package.
Find out more about our cyber insurance for businesses as well as our comprehensive insurance policies for travel agents and tour operators.
For more information, call us on 0207 977 7856 or email Nic.Wheele@JamesHallam.co.uk.