Home » Industry Resources » Cyber Security for Tourism Operators
Cyber crime is one of the fastest-growing risks facing small businesses in Australia, and tourism operators are a prime target.
You hold exactly what criminals are after: customer names, payment details, booking histories, and email access. The good news is that the most effective protections are straightforward, free, and don’t require a tech background.
This page brings together practical guidance and trusted local and national resources to help you secure your business.
Why Tourism Businesses Are Targeted
Tourism operators handle a combination of personal and financial data across multiple platforms — booking systems, payment gateways, email, social media, and cloud storage. Each is a potential entry point. Cyber criminals specifically target small businesses because they tend to have fewer protections in place than larger organisations.
In Australia, around 43% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, and the average incident costs a small business approximately $39,000 — before factoring in lost bookings, reputational damage, and recovery time.
The Most Common Threats
Phishing emails — Fake messages designed to trick you or your staff into clicking a harmful link or handing over login details. The number one way criminals gain access to business systems.
Ransomware — Hackers lock your files and demand payment to restore access. Even a few days of downtime mid-season 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Data breaches — Unsecured cloud storage or outdated software can expose customer data. A single misconfigured cloud account has exposed hundreds of thousands of customer records at other Australian tourism businesses.
Online banking fraud — Weak passwords and no multi-factor authentication leave business accounts vulnerable to unauthorised transfers.
Four Steps to Better Protection
Business Tasmania recommends the STAR framework — a practical starting point for any small business:
S — Set strong passwords
Use a long, unique passphrase for every account. Never reuse passwords across platforms. A password manager makes this easy to manage across your team.
T — Train your staff
Your team is your first line of defence. Make sure everyone can recognise a suspicious email, knows what to do if they accidentally click a link, and knows who to contact in an emergency. Free training is available through the Cyber Wardens Program for Tasmanian small businesses.
A — Activate multi-factor authentication (MFA)
MFA means that even if a password is stolen, a second verification step, usually a code sent to your phone, is still required to access the account. Enable it on email, banking, booking platforms, and social media.
R — Review and update regularly
Turn on automatic software updates. Back up your data consistently. Review the security settings of third-party platforms you’re connected to, and check accounts periodically for unusual activity.
If Something Goes Wrong
Act quickly. Contact the Australian Cyber Security Hotline immediately:
📞 1300 292 371 — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
You can also report incidents at cyber.gov.au via the ReportCyber portal. IDCare provides free support to help businesses navigate the recovery process.
Resources:
Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)
www.cyber.gov.au
Australia’s national cyber security authority. Plain-language guides, threat alerts, and free tools for small businesses. Report incidents, access training, and sign up for real-time threat alerts. The essential first stop for any Australian business.
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 Hub
business.tas.gov.au — Cyber Security
A central hub bringing together local and national resources, the STAR framework, free staff training through the Cyber Wardens Program, and guidance on cyber insurance. A practical starting point for Tasmanian businesses.
Cyber Safety Toolkit — Department of State Growth
Download the Cyber Safety Toolkit (PDF)
A step-by-step guide produced specifically for Tasmanian small businesses. Covers passwords, securing devices, staff training, and emergency response. Work through it at your own pace or use it as a staff checklist.
TasAlert — Defend Your Data
alert.tas.gov.au/defend-your-data
Tasmanian Government guidance on protecting your personal and business data. Covers securing accounts, what to do if your information is compromised, and how to reduce your exposure to data theft.
TasAlert — Cyber Security Preparedness
alert.tas.gov.au/get-ready/cybersecurity
Part of the Alert Tasmania emergency preparedness framework. Treats cyber security as a genuine business continuity risk and helps you prepare before an incident occurs — not just respond after one.