A battle in the hotel industry

Imagine it is the middle of summer and the city of Las Vegas is overrun by thousands of the world's sharpest cybersecurity experts, all gathered for the annual "Hacker Summer Camp". This event is not just another gathering; it is a battle against digital vulnerabilities.

During these conferences, selected hackers are challenged to test hotel security in detail. Their goal? To uncover hidden weaknesses that, if left undetected, could seriously compromise the security of hotel rooms. Such a story, which made headlines recently, serves as a powerful warning to the industry.

A team of seasoned hackers revealed how they were able to gain access to millions of hotel rooms worldwide with surprising simplicity. Their method exploited vulnerabilities in RFID key card locks. These locks are used in more than 13,000 hotels across 131 countries.

It all started with obtaining a single hotel keycard. This card was then scanned with specialised equipment that could read and copy the digital information.

With this information, they created two new custom keycards that could communicate directly with the locks. With a few actions, the lock was reprogrammed and unlocked, making it an open gate for unauthorised access.

Despite the fact that the information was available, only a small percentage of locks underwent a necessary update. This highlights the urgent need for a faster and more effective update strategy, especially for those locks that are not connected to the internet or outdated models that require physical modifications.

This story, however technical, underlines a broader truth: in the hotel industry, security is not only about hospitality, but also about protection and luxury.

The story from Las Vegas sheds light on a sobering reality: the security systems that hotels rely on are sometimes more vulnerable than we realise. This incident shows how essential it is to constantly strive for improvement and innovation in hotel security.

Recent revelations from Las Vegas underline the importance of continuous innovation in hotel security. These incidents highlight vulnerabilities in systems that we often take for granted. They show the need for a broad security approach, encompassing both digital and physical aspects.

The Hotel Security Summit, taking place on 27 May, is designed to respond to multiple security challenges.

The event brings together experts from various facets of the hotel industry to strengthen both digital and physical security for guests and staff.

The summit programme includes sessions that go deep into the implications of digital technology such as AI and deep fake, as well as offering practical guidance on crisis management and boosting security awareness through gamification.

Each session is designed not only to inform, but also to equip participants with knowledge and tools that are directly applicable in their own operations. This annual event is not only an opportunity to learn and network, but also to shape a safer future for all hotel guests and staff.

The programme

14:15 - Introduction and welcome

14:30 - The impact of deep fake and AI in hotels

15:00 - What are the Secure 7 guidelines

15:30 - Crisis communication in a cyber attack, what to do?

16:00 - Break

16:30 - User adoption through gamification of security guidelines

17:00 - Security is key

17:30 - Being conscious about security is not just digital

The Hotel Security Summit is not just an event; it is an essential gathering for everyone in the hotel industry striving to ensure the safety of their guests and employees. By attending, you will gain access to the latest insights, strategies and technologies you can implement to strengthen your security measures.

Each session is carefully curated to provide participants with practical knowledge and the tools needed to not only respond to threats, but actively get ahead of them.

Register now on www.hotelsecuritysummit.nl and take a step towards a safer future for your hotel and guests. Together, we can build a security network that is as robust as it is necessary.