Cybersecurity and Tourism

Technology is reshaping how tourism companies interact with their customers. The sector is undergoing a digital transformation, which will deliver benefits while also posing challenges. One key challenge entails securely handling massive amounts of personal and financial data belonging to customers, i.e. tourists.

A cyberattack on a hotel chain’s computer systems can jeopardize its operations, with the resulting loss of reputation and customer trust, which directly impacts business.

Malonda went into detail about the techniques employed by cybercriminals to commit their crimes, such as spear phising and smishing, explaining specific attacks that have already been waged against the sector. He also shared his thoughts on the possibilities made available to the tourism business by artificial intelligence, but warned of the precautions that must also be taken. He said: “Cybercriminals are employing software to create multiple customer accounts and make fake room bookings with them. Similarly, they are using AI programs to mimic the behavior of legitimate customers and make bogus bookings that are hard to detect.”