IT Awareness Training. 'IT security hotels increasingly important'

New and yet familiar. Under the new name VSA 'Specialists in IT', Van Staalduinen Automatisering and CvE Solutions have joined forces to form a strong and innovative IT company. What is their specific offering for the hospitality industry? Johannes Werkman, Security Officer, makes a case for IT security for hotel companies.

"We are the consistent and reliable partner who takes care of your IT needs. Our service is all-inclusive and we provide systems integration. Even though we don't do all the maintenance ourselves, we are usually the sole IT point of contact for the hotel." This is how Johannes Werkman describes VSA's specialism for the hospitality industry. "That started with our first automation project at Van der Valk Assen. From there it has grown organically over the years. We know what's going on at hotels and how important guest experience is. That you have to be able to count on 24/7 IT support. And that, for example, we don't do any work on the systems during check-in and check-out."

The main trend in this area is that the various IT systems are becoming increasingly interconnected and integrated, says Johannes. "Think of home automation, i.e. smart automated solutions that increase convenience and safety for the guest. We see that mainly as supporting a hotel business. All kinds of administrative operations like check-in and check-out, orders, payments, you name it - can be taken over. This does not mean that, for example, a reception desk at the hotel disappears, but rather that it can focus more on contact with the guest."

Johannes points out that this makes your business more vulnerable. "A lot of different people, a lot of data being exchanged, payment transactions, that creates security challenges. I think of cybercrime, scams and theft of personal data as part of larger hacking operations. In short, all systems linked to the network or internet are vulnerable."

All in all, IT security is becoming increasingly important. "We make sure we keep abreast of all IT security developments so that we can continue to offer our customers the best solutions. Among other things, we are pushing hard on protection measures. One example is End Point Detection (EDR) software. That is an advanced form of virus scanner that identifies suspicious behaviour and acts on it."

"At the same time, it also remains people work. IT awareness, in my opinion, should be the next step at hotels. We therefore provide Awareness Training of employees on IT security awareness. For the training, all hotel employees get access to our e-learning platform. This contains different modules of 5 to 15 minutes, with animations, videos, scenarios, tips and tricks. By choosing modules, they can create their own programme. With their own schedule and their own exams. For example, employees can go through 1 or 2 modules per month so that security is regularly highlighted."

A good example is a Phishing simulation. Phishing simulations - and audits - put employees' skills and knowledge into practice without putting the hotel organisation at risk. "The programme is designed to motivate. Employees therefore receive a friendly message when the simulation 'traps' them. This states that it was just a test, followed by some tips and tricks they can use to prevent repetition."