WatchGuard Technologies Helps Hotels and Restaurants around the World Secure Guest Wi-Fi Networks and Prevent Malware Infestations
Announcement posted by WatchGuard Technologies 09 Jan 2015
71% of global hotels, restaurants and other hospitality organisations jeopardise customers with inadequate security controls
WatchGuard® Technologies, a leader in multi-function firewalls, today announced that its Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) and Unified Threat Management (UTM) appliances now offer enhanced guest network access features to allow hospitality organisations to quickly and easily provide temporary user passwords to better secure guest Internet and Wi-Fi networks.
Free Wi-Fi was recently rated the most important in-room hotel amenity, above a bathroom with shower and daily housekeeping (I). While Internet access may be a priority, lax security controls often jeopardise guest network users and create a risky proposition for global travellers wanting to stay connected. A recent WatchGuard survey revealed that 71 percent of global hotels, restaurants and other hospitality organisations do not provide unique temporary user passwords for guest Wi-Fi networks, which could compromise corporate and guest network security.(II)
With WatchGuard’s new features, hospitality organisations can now tailor the user experience with custom hotspot splash pages branded with company logos. They can also provide flexible account options, such as configurable time limits, batch-generated usernames and passwords and password-only voucher options. Liability can also be minimised with custom terms and conditions. Convenience is enhanced by allowing guest administrator roles for non-IT staff to generate accounts.
“From the point at which guests enter a hotel, they’re required to hand over sensitive information such as credit card details, drivers licence and passport numbers,” said David Kotze, Director of Hospitality at Systemnet, a Sydney based IT Solutions company serving the hospitality industry. “All this information needs to be protected as required by Australian law. It’s absolutely essential that hotels protect their networks and deliver on security requirements. A breach and subsequent compromise of personal information could seriously damage a hotel’s reputation.”
The WatchGuard survey also found that 51 percent of global hospitality organisations do not monitor guest networks for suspect applications, malware or malicious activities; 62 percent do not monitor guest activity to limit bandwidth-intensive applications; and 48 percent do not use policy mapping or data visualisation tools to monitor performance. (III). This lapse of guest Internet and Wi-Fi network visibility and controls can have a significant impact on overall guest network performance and user experience on top of growing security risks.
“WatchGuard makes it easy for our clients to manage their networks from a single point of control," said Angelo Millena, Managing Director of CMS IT, an Australian IT Managed Services provider. “They have everything they need in one device and can comfortably manage several devices and locations without needing to call us for support. It’s easy for them to use content and web filtering, traffic shaping and allocation of bandwidth to protect customers from malicious websites and monitor network activity.”
“Providing guests with safe, reliable and well managed access to Internet and Wi-Fi services is an essential part of doing business in the hospitality industry," said David Higgins, WatchGuard Technologies Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand. “It’s clear that a lot of hospitality organisations need advice and access to network security solutions that will help them protect their customers whilst delivering secure network services. WatchGuard appliances provide a significant increase in visibility and control over guest wireless networks and our customers are very happy to have a cost-effective solution that meets the demands of this industry.”
About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
WatchGuard® Technologies, Inc. is a global leader of integrated, multi-function business security solutions that intelligently combine industry standard hardware, best-of-breed security features, and policy-based management tools. WatchGuard provides easy-to-use, but enterprise-powerful protection to hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide. WatchGuard products are backed by WatchGuard LiveSecurity® Service, an innovative support program. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Wash. with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit WatchGuard.com.
For additional information, promotions and updates, follow WatchGuard on Twitter @WTAUSNZ on Facebook, or on the LinkedIn Company page.
WatchGuard is a registered trademark of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
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Free Wi-Fi was recently rated the most important in-room hotel amenity, above a bathroom with shower and daily housekeeping (I). While Internet access may be a priority, lax security controls often jeopardise guest network users and create a risky proposition for global travellers wanting to stay connected. A recent WatchGuard survey revealed that 71 percent of global hotels, restaurants and other hospitality organisations do not provide unique temporary user passwords for guest Wi-Fi networks, which could compromise corporate and guest network security.(II)
With WatchGuard’s new features, hospitality organisations can now tailor the user experience with custom hotspot splash pages branded with company logos. They can also provide flexible account options, such as configurable time limits, batch-generated usernames and passwords and password-only voucher options. Liability can also be minimised with custom terms and conditions. Convenience is enhanced by allowing guest administrator roles for non-IT staff to generate accounts.
“From the point at which guests enter a hotel, they’re required to hand over sensitive information such as credit card details, drivers licence and passport numbers,” said David Kotze, Director of Hospitality at Systemnet, a Sydney based IT Solutions company serving the hospitality industry. “All this information needs to be protected as required by Australian law. It’s absolutely essential that hotels protect their networks and deliver on security requirements. A breach and subsequent compromise of personal information could seriously damage a hotel’s reputation.”
The WatchGuard survey also found that 51 percent of global hospitality organisations do not monitor guest networks for suspect applications, malware or malicious activities; 62 percent do not monitor guest activity to limit bandwidth-intensive applications; and 48 percent do not use policy mapping or data visualisation tools to monitor performance. (III). This lapse of guest Internet and Wi-Fi network visibility and controls can have a significant impact on overall guest network performance and user experience on top of growing security risks.
“WatchGuard makes it easy for our clients to manage their networks from a single point of control," said Angelo Millena, Managing Director of CMS IT, an Australian IT Managed Services provider. “They have everything they need in one device and can comfortably manage several devices and locations without needing to call us for support. It’s easy for them to use content and web filtering, traffic shaping and allocation of bandwidth to protect customers from malicious websites and monitor network activity.”
“Providing guests with safe, reliable and well managed access to Internet and Wi-Fi services is an essential part of doing business in the hospitality industry," said David Higgins, WatchGuard Technologies Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand. “It’s clear that a lot of hospitality organisations need advice and access to network security solutions that will help them protect their customers whilst delivering secure network services. WatchGuard appliances provide a significant increase in visibility and control over guest wireless networks and our customers are very happy to have a cost-effective solution that meets the demands of this industry.”
About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
WatchGuard® Technologies, Inc. is a global leader of integrated, multi-function business security solutions that intelligently combine industry standard hardware, best-of-breed security features, and policy-based management tools. WatchGuard provides easy-to-use, but enterprise-powerful protection to hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide. WatchGuard products are backed by WatchGuard LiveSecurity® Service, an innovative support program. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Wash. with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit WatchGuard.com.
For additional information, promotions and updates, follow WatchGuard on Twitter @WTAUSNZ on Facebook, or on the LinkedIn Company page.
WatchGuard is a registered trademark of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
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[i] Hotels.com: http://press.hotels.com/en-us/news-releases/travelers-rank-complimentary-breakfast-and-free-wi-fi-as-the-most-valuable-hotel-amenities-in-global-survey/
[ii] WatchGuard Technologies 2014 Global Hospitality Wireless Network Survey
[iii] WatchGuard Technologies 2014 Global Hospitality Wireless Network Survey