TECHNOLOGY
Onity Managing Director Fayyad Sbaihat . “ Onity ’ s approach to connected-room uses DirectKey and Bluetooth-enabled locks to empower guests through their smartphones . It is also ready for integration to control a host of inroom smart applications . This can create a personalized experience .”
For example , when a guest unlocks their room using a mobile key , it triggers a custom welcome message to display on the TV , lamps turn on automatically , drapes are drawn at night and the thermostat adjusts to the preferred temperature based on the guest ’ s profile .
“ Since the launch of Onity DirectKey in 2015 , guests have used Onity ’ s mobile key credentials to open doors more than 150 million times ,” Sbaihat added . “ Mobile key credentials use 128-bit AES data encryption which provides an additional layer of security on top of locking system features such as user access permissions and audit trails . The ROI is supported by both an enhanced guest experience and operational savings .”
Hotels that are not yet ready to launch a mobile key are transitioning to Bluetooth locks so they can easily turn on the digital key capability when their need arises , Sbaihat said , adding that the ability for hotels to deliver a personalized environment depends entirely on the willingness of guests , often loyalty members , to share their personal preferences . “ One challenge has been the limited availability of digital keys to non-loyalty app users ,” Sbaihat said . “ However , Onity is working with hospitality customers to introduce mobile key technologies for guests to use without a loyalty app .”
THE CHALLENGES Conveniences aside , digital and app-driven keys come with their own set of challenges . Often , digital keys create increased vulnerability . Digital keys can also malfunction , again leaving a guest locked out of their room . There have been instances of hotels being locked down in ransomware attacks where the criminals unlocked guest rooms only after the ransom was paid .
Experts also recommended that hotels separate their IoT Wi-Fi devices from their main network . “ There have been numerous hacks of hotel guest data via IoT Wi-Fi devices which are easily accessed by those who know how , and once in the device they gain access to the hotels ’ network and guest information ,” said security consultant and executive protection professional Mac Segal , CEO of AHNA Group .
The app-driven cards are a whole different discussion as phones can be hacked , frequencies easily intercepted , and access gained to the room without much effort .
The cost versus benefit ratio of the technology is not always well balanced , Segal said .
“ Often , these systems are expensive but don ’ t necessarily contribute significantly to loss prevention and criminal activity . The ROI you get by hiring the right people , providing them with relevant and ongoing training coupled with well-designed routine and emergency procedures , far outweighs the money spent on technology .”
Despite implementing complex and updated technological innovations , real safety and security and security come from well-trained ,
THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS HACKS OF HOTEL GUEST DATA VIA IOT WI-FI DEVICES WHICH ARE EASILY ACCESSED BY THOSE WHO KNOW HOW AND ONCE IN THE DEVICE THEY GAIN ACCESS TO THE HOTELS NETWORK AND GUEST INFORMATION .
– MAC SEGAL
well compensated security personnel in collaboration with the entire hotel staff who should all have security awareness , emergency procedures and hostile indicator identification .
“ Unfortunately , most hotels are willing to spend money on tech but not on recruiting and training security personnel . Manpower and effective , implementable procedures are the key to true safety and security for any hotel ,” Segal added .
88 hotelsmag . com Jan / Feb 2023