How Travel Businesses Can Securely Handle Customer Data?

Item: How Travel Businesses Can Securely Handle Customer Data?
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Author: Jessie Mitchell

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Every business needs to have a solid reputation in the industry to make sure they keep attracting customers for increased market share and revenue. This is even more important for service-related businesses such as travel and tourism companies.

Keeping their customers’ personal and financial data secure is their top priority. This can be done by executing DSAR (Data Subject Access Request) efficiently through your processes or even building privacy as code for effective data compliance.

In addition to this, you can follow different ways which we have mentioned in this article, so your travel business can securely handle customer data. Keep reading to learn!

Table of Contents

1. Install Antivirus

Most tours are usually booked online by customers in this modern digital era. Therefore, you need to install robust antivirus software on your computers to prevent any kinds of viruses from attacking your data and disrupting your business operations.

An antivirus will monitor and alert you for any kinds of threats such as malware or phishing, so you can take appropriate actions immediately.

2. Keep Updating the System

From the software updates to application updates, you must not ignore them as if they don’t even exist. The same goes for your antivirus software. As soon as you see an update notification on your computer, you must take an action immediately.

These updates mostly patch exploitable holes to prevent hackers or cyber criminals from taking advantage of them and entering your system. This way, you will have peace of mind that your customer data is safe and sound.

3. Invest in a VPN

To further protect your online presence from cyber perpetrators, it’s better for you to invest in an efficient VPN (Virtual Private Network).

A VPN conceals your IP address and makes it almost impossible for hackers to exploit your customers’ private and financial information. Hence, you will be able to maintain your goodwill.

4. Arrange Training Sessions for Your Employees

If your employees are well-trained in regard to preventing and managing cybersecurity risks, you will be able to securely handle your customer data. Even the basics like keeping passwords safe of the company’s accounts should be instructed to them.

Induction training should be a must for newly-recruited employees. Whereas, regular training such as twice a year or quarterly must be made mandatory to keep the knowledge of your workers up to date with the latest technological developments.

5. Look for Reliable Online Payment Processors

As most of your customers will book tours or avail of your travel services online, you must confirm that your online payment processor is reliable and 100% secure.

This will ensure that when they enter their financial and other personal details while making payment, no hacker retrieves that information. So, you receive the payment in your business account in a breeze and your customer’s data remains secure.

6. Be Transparent

Last but not the least, you should state clear privacy policies on your website to make sure your potential customers trust you. If they don’t trust you with their personal and financial data, they won’t be investing in your business.

Therefore, clearly-stated privacy policies will make it easier for your customers to enter their debit/credit card details as well as their personal information because they will know that you handle sensitive data the right way.