Monthly Archives: August 2011

by | August 13, 2011 · 7:35 am

Hospitality Industry Information Security: Hotel Kiosk Computer Security Can Be Tested With Free Web Service Tool

“… iKAT (Interactive Kiosk Attack Tool) is a free web service that tries to bypass the protective mechanisms of internet kiosk PCs and gain control of the systems. Such computers can usually be found in hotel lobbies, airport lounges and other public spaces. Kiosk operators can use iKAT to test the resilience of their systems…”

The Linux- or Windows-based kiosk systems are usually protected and only allow specific applications to be launched. The primary aim of iKAT is to start a Windows or Linux shell. To achieve it, iKAT tries to exploit known vulnerabilities in a number of different ways. For example, when opening the iKAT page from a Windows-based kiosk system, users are presented with a “1Click PWN” button – this launches components including Metasploit on the server to scan the kiosk PC for browser exploits. Other avenues include accessing “Open File” or “Print File” dialogs in order to execute cmd.exe.

For more:  http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Free-web-service-cracks-internet-kiosks-1321613.html

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by | August 11, 2011 · 6:23 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Rhode Island Hotel That Suffered "Extensive Damage" From River Flooding In 2010 Reopens After Insurance "Largely Covers Reconstruction"

“…The hotel’s lobby, front desk, restaurant, meeting rooms, guest rooms and information technology equipment were badly damaged, and the facility, which had celebrated its grand opening in September 2008, was forced to close…”

“…The (reconstruction) cost was largely covered by insurance… The chain had hoped to reopen its Rhode Island location within a year but was delayed by in part by a business restructuring…”

NYLO Providence/Warwick has undergone extensive renovations on the first floor, which filled with four feet of water after the nearby Pawtuxet River breached its banks in March 2010. Michael Mueller, chief executive officer of the Texas-based NYLO Hotels chain, would not say Wednesday how much was spent on reconstruction. Susan Shaw, the new general manager, said the 163-room hotel will open with between 35 and 40 employees, down from 60 at the time of the flood. It will add employees and should reach full capacity by early next year, she said.

During a recent fire inspection test, in which the emergency lighting system was activated, Shaw said it happened to be raining — prompting an unpleasant flashback.

For more:  http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2011/08/10/warwick_hotel_damaged_in_2010_floods_to_reopen/

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by | August 10, 2011 · 8:03 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Alaska Hotel's Lawsuit Against Union's Call For Boycott Thrown Out As Federal Judge Rules Actions Protected By Constitution

“…the lawsuit stated that the union has both defamed it and interfered with its ability to conduct business…with the boycott costing  the hotel more than $638,000…A federal judge this month ruled against the hotel, finding that the union’s actions are protected either the U.S. Constitution or federal labor law…”

A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit brought by the operator of a downtown Anchorage hotel over union activities. Unite Here Local 878 has been engaged in a campaign on behalf of workers at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa. Union organizer Matthew Fennell says issues include job security, health care costs and workload for about 150 hotel workers.

Workers have been without a contract since 2009.

For more: http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-judge-throws-out-hotel-lawsuit-against-local-union-20110809,0,4092962.story

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by | August 9, 2011 · 7:39 am

Hospitality Industry Guest Safety Risks: Child Drowns In Missouri Hotel's Hot Tub As "Water Slide" Distracts Adult Supervision

“…The death of a 3-year-old who drowned in a hotel hot-tub is being ruled an accidental drowning….the boy’s grandfather was watching two older siblings at a water slide when he noticed Parker was underwater in the hot tub and pulled him out…”

Police say 3-year-old Parker Wilson of Rosendale went underwater in a hot tub at the Ramada Inn last Monday. Wilson was at the water park with his siblings and their grandparents.

Emergency workers performed CPR on the boy but he later died at the hospital.

For more:  http://stjoechannel.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=216927

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by | August 8, 2011 · 6:09 am

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: West Virginia Hotel Foils Flat Panel TV Theft With Electronic Key Audit; Thief Was Guest Who Was Fined $250 For Smoking In Room

“….a West Virginia man was fined $250 for smoking in his room…(the extra charge was added) onto the bill and slipped under the door…(he) was so upset that he retaliated by stealing a $500 flat-screen television from the hotel’s workout room, Palm Beach police said…”

The hotel found its thief by auditing the guest keys used to access the workout room, police said. It then located an object the size of the missing television hidden by a bed sheet in Nelson’s rental vehicle.

But some quick detective work by police and a hotel employee led to Nelson’s arrest Friday on a charge of grand theft. Police took him to the Palm Beach County Jail.

Nelson told detectives he used a penny to unscrew some screws and a tire iron to break a lock that held the television to a wall bracket.

For more:  http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/smoking-fine-spurs-theft-of-hotel-flat-screen-820141.html

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by | August 6, 2011 · 8:46 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: North Carolina Hotel Ceiling Collapses After "Drainage Pipe Bursts" During Heavy Rain (Video)

“…A drainage pipe that helps drain water from the roof runs through the ceiling in the lobby…. The pipe burst causing a portion of the ceiling to collapse and flood the lobby with water…”

CLICK ON PICTURE TO WATCH VIDEO

A portion of the ceiling in a Charlotte hotel collapsed Friday afternoon after heavy rains caused a pipe to burst. Erik Slemon and his father, Allan Goldberg, are from Miami and were staying at the hotel to attend a men’s clothing trade show.

“In a matter of seconds it got a little stronger,” Erik Slemon said.  “I pulled out my phone and I shot it and the whole ceiling just came down.  The whole lobby was flooded in a matter of five seconds.” No one was injured, and there is no official damage estimate from the flooding.

For more:  http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Pipe-bursts-at-Charlotte-hotel-flooding-lobby-126844238.html

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by | August 5, 2011 · 6:38 am

Hospitality Industry Information Security Risks: "Cyber Attack Claims" Increase 56% Mainly Through "Rogue Employees, Malicious Attacks, And Mistakes By Outsourcing Firms"

“…The vast quantities of personal, identifiable information collected by the leisure and hospitality industry have made the sector a chief target for cyber attacks, according to Willis…with reports of a 56% rise in cyber claims over the past year….”

“…Rogue employees, malicious attacks, and mistakes by outsourcing firms appear to be the main culprits, with hackers getting ever-more sophisticated in their attempts to drain corporate databases of customers’ personal details…”

Willis warns that some breaches can cost in excess of $100 million and with more stringent data protection legislation coming into force, companies’ financial exposure to this type of crime will increase further.

“Recent breakthroughs include the introduction of identity theft solutions and Payment Card Industry fines coverage, which helps to protect companies from penalties linked to the mismanagement of credit card data.”

For more:  http://www.insurancedaily.co.uk/2011/08/03/hospitality-and-leisure-attract-cyber-attacks/

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by | August 4, 2011 · 2:19 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Congressional Committee Investigates "Multiple, Redundant Inspections" By OSHA Related To "Labor Intensive" UNITE HERE Campaign On "Safe Work Environments" Against Hotel Management

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by | August 3, 2011 · 6:43 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Theft Risks: Maryland Hotel And Convention Managers Indicted For Theft In Employee Insurance Scam

“…authorities believe that Mohammad and Rowhani stole about $17,000 from roughly 19 employees who thought the money was being put into an account to pay for insurance…”

A trial date has been set for two Hagerstown Hotel and Convention Center senior managers who prosecutors allege stole about $17,000 from employees during an insurance scam.

Hassan Mohammad, 56, and his wife, Yasamane Rowhani, 47, both of 2142 Cathedral Ave. in Washington, D.C., were indicted by a Washington County grand jury on one count each of theft/scheme over $500 and conspiracy to commit theft/scheme over $500, according to Washington County Circuit Court documents.

For more:  http://articles.herald-mail.com/2011-08-02/news/29844890_1_trial-date-scheme-insurance-scam

 

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by | August 2, 2011 · 6:38 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Injury Risks: California Legislation Requiring "Fitted Sheets" On Hotel Beds To Reduce Heavy-Lifting By Housekeepers Is Up For Vote This Month By State Assembly

“…(California) SB 432.. would require hotels to use fitted sheets instead of flat sheets to reduce the amount of mattress lifting housekeepers must do. The legislation also would require hotels to provide long-handled mops so housekeepers won’t have to clean bathrooms on their hands and knees as they do now…”

The state Senate has passed a bill proposed by Sen. Kevin de LeÏŒn (D-Los Angeles) that would help prevent or reduce housekeeper injuries. It comes up for a vote in the Assembly this month. But the bill is facing stiff opposition from the hotel and tourism industry, which says it will increase costs and stifle growth.

A representative of the hotel industry, led by the California Hotel and Lodging Assn., told a Senate Committee that if SB 432 passes, California hotels will have to spend an additional $15 million or more to buy fitted sheets to replace the sheets for 550,000 beds at $25 per sheet. But hotels generally replace their sheets annually..

For more:  http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-cohen-maids-20110802,0,7847167.story

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