Protecting your Tourism Business from Cyber Criminals

Destination Southern Tasmania | Industry Awareness | Cyber Security

This year’s World Password Day has come and gone, but the reminder it brings is worth holding onto year-round. Strong passwords are just the starting point; here’s what Tasmanian tourism operators should know about staying secure online.

Why Tourism Businesses are a Target

You might think your accommodation, tour operation, or hospitality venue isn’t on a hacker’s radar. Think again. Cyber criminals actively seek out small businesses precisely because they tend to have fewer protections in place than large corporations.

In Australia, approximately 43% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, and the tourism industry is particularly exposed.

Tourism operators handle a rich combination of what hackers want most: customer names, email addresses, payment details, booking histories, and sometimes passport information. Your business likely uses booking platforms, online payment gateways, email, social media, and cloud storage, each one a potential entry point if not properly secured.

The cost of getting it wrong is real. The average cyber incident now costs an Australian small business around $39,000, and that’s before factoring in reputational damage, lost bookings, and the time spent recovering. Ransomware attacks alone now account for 37% of all incidents affecting small businesses globally.

Sources: [Marsh] [cyberwardens] [SQMagazine]

Timely Reminder:

World Password Day falls on the first Thursday of May each year. It exists as a global reminder that passwords are the lock on your front door, and weak ones are as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

Cyber Security Reminder, take 15 minutes to:

Check that every business account has a unique password
Enable multi-factor authentication on your most important accounts
Consider setting up a password manager for your team
Update any passwords that haven’t been changed in over 12 months

These small actions cost nothing and significantly reduce your risk.

Jump to Cyber Security Resources

The Threats Most Likely to Affect You

Understanding what you’re up against is the first step. These are the most common threats facing tourism operators right now:

Phishing emails — Fake messages designed to look legitimate, tricking you or your staff into clicking a harmful link or handing over login credentials. These are the number one way cyber criminals gain access to business systems.
Ransomware — Hackers lock your files and demand payment to restore access. For a tourism operator mid-season, even a few days of downtime can be devastating.
Fake invoices and payment redirection — Criminals intercept or mimic supplier communications and redirect payments to their own accounts. Always verify bank detail changes by phone.
Data breaches — Unsecured cloud storage, outdated software, or third-party platforms can expose your customer data. Melbourne travel agency Inspiring Vacations exposed over 112,000 customer records through a single misconfigured cloud storage bucket.
Online banking fraud — Weak account passwords and no multi-factor authentication leave business bank accounts vulnerable to unauthorised transfers.

What You Can Do — Practical Steps That Make a Difference

You don’t need to be a tech expert to significantly improve your cyber security. Business Tasmania uses a simple acronym — STAR — to help small businesses remember the essentials:

Use long, unique passphrases for every account (think three or four random words, not “Password1!”). Never reuse passwords across platforms. A password manager tool makes this easy to maintain across your whole team.

Your team is your first line of defence. Make sure everyone knows how to spot a suspicious email, what to do if they accidentally click a link, and who to call in an emergency. Free cyber security training is available for Tasmanian small businesses through the Cyber Wardens Program (linked below).

MFA means that even if someone steals your password, they still can’t get in without a second verification step, usually a code sent to your phone. Turn it on for your email, banking, booking platforms, and social media accounts first.

Turn on automatic software updates. Regularly check your security settings, monitor your accounts for unusual activity, and back up your data consistently. Don’t forget to review the security of third-party platforms you connect to.

In the Event of an Incident

If something does go wrong — a suspicious email is clicked, unusual activity appears on your account, or you suspect you’ve been hacked — don’t wait. Contact the Australian Cyber Security Hotline immediately:

📞 1300 292 371 (Australian Cyber Security Centre — available 24/7)

You can also report scams and cybercrime at ReportCyber via cyber.gov.au. Organisations like IDCare provide free incident response guidance to help you navigate what to do next.

Resources to Help You Get Started

The following resources are free, practical, and designed with Australian businesses in mind.

🔗 Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)

www.cyber.gov.au

The ACSC is Australia’s national cyber security authority, run by the Australian Signals Directorate. Their website is the go-to resource for threat alerts, plain-language guides, and tools specifically designed for small businesses. You can report cyber incidents, sign up as an ASD Partner to receive real-time threat alerts, and access free resources on everything from securing your accounts to responding to a ransomware attack. If you use one resource, make it this one.

Cyber Wardens — Free Online Training for Small Business

cyberwardens.com.au
A free, government-funded cyber security training program designed specifically for Australian small business owners and their staff. Courses are short, jargon-free, and self-paced — no tech experience needed. The Foundations course takes just 10 minutes and covers the top cyber threats and red flags to watch for. Level One (40–60 minutes) steps through four practical tools to protect your business. A Level Two course also covers AI-related threats. Each course comes with a certificate on completion. A cyber attack is reported in Australia every six minutes — this is where to start.

🔗 Business Tasmania — Cyber Security

business.tas.gov.au — Cyber Security

The Business Tasmania cyber security hub brings together local and national resources in one place. It includes the STAR framework, tips for protecting devices and accounts, links to free training through the Cyber Wardens Program (specifically available for Tasmanian small businesses), and guidance on cyber insurance. A solid starting point if you’re not sure where to begin.

TasAlert — Defend Your Data

alert.tas.gov.au/defend-your-data

A Tasmanian Government resource focused on helping individuals and businesses protect their personal and business data. Covers practical steps for securing accounts, what to do if your information is compromised, and how to reduce your exposure to data theft. Relevant and locally focused.

TasAlert — Cyber Security Guide

alert.tas.gov.au/get-ready/cybersecurity

Part of the broader Alert Tasmania emergency preparedness framework, this page addresses cyber security as a genuine business risk — on par with fire, flood, or other disruptions. Includes guidance on preparing your business before an incident occurs, so you’re not scrambling when something goes wrong.

🔗 Cyber Safety Toolkit (PDF) — Department of State Growth

Download the Cyber Safety Toolkit

A practical, step-by-step guide produced by the Tasmanian Department of State Growth specifically for small businesses. Work through it at your own pace — it covers password practices, securing devices, staff training, and what to do in an emergency. Print it out, share it with your team, or use it as a checklist. This is exactly the kind of resource that turns good intentions into real action.

Final Thought

Cyber security isn’t about being paranoid — it’s about being prepared. The same care you put into WHS compliance, food safety, or fire evacuation plans should extend to your digital operations. Tourism businesses in Tasmania are trusted with people’s holiday memories, financial details, and personal information. That trust is worth protecting.

Start with one step today. Turn on MFA. Update a password. Share this article with your team.