An IMHO* by Carsten Hennig
The higher the hotel rate, the better the hotel must be. False! When it comes to IT security in the international luxury hotel industry, it is still as if all doors are open. A high-ranking officer from a NATO country learnt this when he used the WiFi of his - sinfully expensive - hotel in Singapore to confer with his staff. This was via a verified video conferencing tool. However, he had obviously not reckoned with the wide-open network of his professional host. He was bugged and secret agreements about politically controversial arms deliveries to Ukraine were promptly made public.
Check your home for yourself: Is the WiFi open to everyone? Is a ridiculously simple password for the WiFi readily provided on request? Is the internet connection unencrypted? Why do hoteliers who pride themselves on their service-orientation make such faux pas?
It has been known for years that poorly secured hotel networks have been used to spy on top managers. However, I am surprised that the risk analyses of large companies apparently allow their hotel partners to get away with it if the network security is lousy.
Smart hosts would do well to position themselves as technology pioneers - in the tradition of the grand hotel industry, which once lured aristocrats out of their musty palaces with hot running water on every floor. For the modern jet set, the increasing number of digital nomads willing to pay, IT security is a very important criterion when choosing a location.
Who knows, perhaps a resourceful entrepreneur will turn it into a business - with strict and reliable audits including a seal of approval. After all, hoteliers like to stick signs like this on their entrances.
*IMHO - In my humble Opinion: A witty interjection from our columnist, short and clear in the style of a ‘Hotelier Brief’. Regularly for friends and supporters of Holedo.