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LV1: Department-Specific Threats to asset security

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LV1: Department-Specific Threats to asset security

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Among the most significant threats hotels now face is the high-tech theft of confidential customer information stored on hotel computers

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LV2: To minimize threats to data security:

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LV2: To minimize threats to data security:

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Combine the area of responsibility for hotel safety and security with that of information technology (IT).

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Ensure the hotels’ information security defenses are as effective and up-to-date as possible.

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Recognize that a failure to notify customers in the event of a data security breach can result in significant negative publicity and imply a lack of concern for customer privacy.

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LV3:

Carefully screen employees before hiring them

Reduce theft through the use of effective recodable locks, inventory systems, and other security measures

Ensure that staff are aware of the penalty for theft

Treat all proven cases of similar theft in a similar manner

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LV3:

A robbery is a time to protect staff, not the hotel’s cash assets.

Guests are generally much greater threats to the noncash assets of hotels than are robbers.

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GMs in strategic city, airport, and other locations along with those providing facilities for a large number of guests and/or for large group meetings must be increasingly concerned about terrorism.

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Positive Steps to Minimize Risk Include:

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The proper maintenance of existing security and safety equipment and procedures

Careful consideration of potential vulnerability

Controlled access to nonpublic areas of the property

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The screening (background checks) of employee applicants

Management training

Regular participation in “best practices” discussions with hoteliers who face similar threats and with local law enforcement officials who can provide guidance

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Cash is not the only hotel asset that can be stolen by dishonest employees. In fact, the number and type of assets that can be unlawfully taken by employees is large.

These three loss areas involve the stealing of company time, property, or services.

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Hotels are open around the clock and, are susceptible to asset threats at any time of day or night. Guests or nonguests can pose these threats.

As in the case of protecting assets from threats posed by employees, managers, protecting hotel assets from the illegal activities of nonemployees must guards both cash and non-cash assets.

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Threats to a hotel's assets can occur at any time and in any department. Some departments, however, by the nature of their operation, are subject to specific security threat of which the GM and th affected department heads should be aware.

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GMs and front-office managers must have systems in place that minimize the chances for employees fraud.

In regard to room revenue fraud, one significant detection tool that managers can use is the housekeeping DISCREPANCY REPORT.

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GMs must be aware of two distinctly different security issues:

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1. Theft of the housekeeping supplies including in-room amenities, terry cloth linens, and bedding.

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2. Much more sensitive housekeeping issues, involves theft of guest items from guest rooms by room attendant or other employees. When guests travel, they often keep valuables in their rooms.

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When a guests claims that there has been a guest room theft, there are at least 4 possible scenarios:

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1. The guest actually is mistaken, and the item reported stolen has been misplaced.

2. The guest is attempting to defraud the hotel.

3. The theft was committed but by another guest.

4. A hotel employees, in fact, committed the theft.

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Items in F&B department can be used or consumed by virtually everyone, and they are a common target for theft.

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Employees who purchase products for the F&B department may defraud the hotel by accepting kickbacks from vendors or by purchasing and then stealing.

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GM, controller, and F&B director must continually assess the need to develop systems and procedures to reduce the threat of these types of fraud.

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Sales and marketing staff members are responsible for preventing fraudulent behavior directed at the hotel by unscrupulous individuals.

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GM must have a good check and balance system that requires documentation of sales expenses and routine audits of reimbursements.

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A unique problem in the property operation and maintence department relates to the loss of small, but sometimes expensive, hand tools and suplies.

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To prevent either of these sources of fraud:

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Small hand tools should always be inventoried monthly to determine losses, if any.

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Hand tools should never be left unattended in a public area within the hotel.

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The GM may require implementation of SIGN-IN/SIGN-OUT PROGRAM for all tools.