As summer travel heats up, so does cybercriminal activity targeting the hospitality sector. A recent industry report reveals that a staggering 82% of North American hotels experienced a successful cyberattack during the summer of 2024, with many hit multiple times. As we enter the 2025 travel season, the outlook is even more concerning.
At Blackswan Cybersecurity, we understand the unique vulnerabilities hospitality businesses face—particularly during high-traffic periods when systems are stretched, staff is seasonal, and attackers are most aggressive.
Hospitality Under Siege: What the Data Shows
According to the 2025 State of Hospitality Cyber Report, which surveyed hotel IT and security leaders across North America:
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66% expect cyberattack frequency to increase this summer
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50% anticipate more severe attacks
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48% lack confidence in their staff’s ability to detect or respond to advanced threats like AI-driven attacks or deepfakes
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22% say threat actors are already outpacing their internal capabilities
Guest-facing technology is especially exposed, with top risks identified in:
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Point-of-sale systems (72%)
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Guest Wi-Fi (56%)
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Front desk and check-in systems (34%)
The most common and damaging attack types include data breaches exposing payment or personal guest data, phishing campaigns, and Wi-Fi compromise.
When Downtime Isn’t an Option
These threats don’t just cause inconvenience—they disrupt business and damage brands.
Last summer:
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44% of hotels reported 12+ hours of downtime due to a cyberattack
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66% cited reputational damage from negative guest reviews
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46% suffered financial loss
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12% believed an incident could threaten the future of the business
In a sector where occupancy rates, guest satisfaction, and trust are everything, the impact of a single incident can extend far beyond the breach itself.
What’s Fueling the Risk?
The research also highlights several systemic gaps:
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42% say vulnerabilities in third-party systems (like booking engines or payment processors) heighten their risk
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40% cite outdated or legacy tech as a key concern
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26% face increased exposure due to temporary or seasonal employees unfamiliar with cybersecurity best practices
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16% report challenges hiring and retaining skilled cyber staff
Even with some organizations dedicating up to a quarter of their IT budget to security, many have yet to adopt modern defenses. While most are using basic tools like antivirus, firewalls, and VPNs, fewer than half have implemented measures like ransomware protection, vulnerability scanning, or regular data backups. Advanced capabilities like dark web monitoring (26%) and penetration testing (28%) remain underutilized.
How Blackswan Supports the Hospitality, Retail & Entertainment Industry
At Blackswan Cybersecurity, we help hotels, resorts, restaurants, and entertainment venues stay protected—even during the busiest times of the year.
Our tailored solutions for hospitality include:
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24/7 Managed Detection & Response (MDR) with real-time threat monitoring and incident response
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Advanced endpoint and ransomware protection
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Vulnerability and risk assessments for third-party systems
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Dark web and brand monitoring to detect exposed guest data
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Tabletop exercises to prepare seasonal staff for phishing and fraud scenarios
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Flexible services, including SOC-as-a-Service and Virtual CISO (vCISO) support
Whether you’re running a boutique hotel, an entertainment/gaming restaurant/bar, or a high-traffic restaurant chain, we help you minimize downtime, protect guest data, and ensure operational continuity.
The Takeaway: Don’t Wait for a Breach to Act
The hospitality industry is being actively targeted—and the attackers are evolving faster than many organizations can keep up. The 2025 data is a warning sign, but also an opportunity.
In the Hospitality industry, uptime is everything for the customer experience—Let Blackswan help keep your running.
📞 Contact us today to schedule a complimentary Cyber Risk Readiness Assessment tailored to the hospitality, retail, and entertainment sector.
REFERENCES
- https://www.securityinfowatch.com/cybersecurity/press-release/55302678/vikingcloud-vikingcloud-cyberattacks-hit-82-of-north-american-hotels-last-summer
- Data and statistics referenced from the 2025 State of Hospitality Cyber Report, published by VikingCloud.