More than 22 million U.S. travelers self-report as being the victim of a cyberattack through their business with hotels, according to the Morphisec 2019 Hospitality Guest Threat Index. The index also found 70 percent of travelers don’t believe the hotels they stay at are investing enough in cybersecurity and nearly half note their trust in a hotel’s cyber defenses influences if they book a stay with them.
The U.S. Department of Commerce shares the sentiments of consumers. Following the Marriott International/Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide breach that was discovered nearly a year ago, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross noted that "many companies have been scrimping on the cybersecurity budget" — both in the hospitality sector and beyond.
With an overwhelming number of consumers stating that the hotels they frequent don’t spend enough to protect their information, Morphisec also examined how lack of trust in a hotelier’s cyber defense could impact current and future business. Nearly half (46 percent) of respondents said their trust in a hotel’s cyber defenses does influence if they book a stay with them, the report states. That number was even higher for female guests, with 49 percent noting a lack of trust in cyber defenses impacting bookings vs. 42 percent of their male counterparts.
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