74% of Restaurant-Goers Want Free WiFi. Is it Worth the Cybersecurity Risks?

 

Commentary:

You’ve likely placed an on-line food order in the past six months; many of us do it on a regular basis. We all took notice as restaurants all over the world were thrust into a shift towards a delivery- or pickup-only business model in order to survive during the pandemic, mostly with consumers placing on-online orders and making digital payments. Though this pivot allowed businesses to survive dire times, criminals are now taking full advantage of the online commerce swell: March 2020 saw a 600% increase in email phishing scams. Restaurant owners are now well aware they have a duty to protect customers with trusted cybersecurity. But complicating things further, 74% of Customers Want free WiFi to be part of their dining experience, opening the door for even more customer vulnerability. Jacey Kaps is an attorney at RumbergerKirk, and he joined me to discuss the legal ramifications regarding restaurants and how they protect themselves from cybersecurity risks and data breaches.

Restaurant giants like McDonald’s are not immune to troubling cybersecurity risks. Just this year, McDonald’s said attackers stole customer emails, phone numbers and addresses for delivery customers in South Korea and Taiwan. According to SecurityMagazine.com, In Taiwan, hackers also stole employee information including names and contact information. With even the largest of companies at risk, Hilary Kennedy asked Attorney Pooja S. Nair, to share what restaurants should do to prepare for the worst cybersecurity risks.

Abridged Thoughts:

“The restaurant industry is uniquely vulnerable to mobile security incidents from physical tampering and point of service hacks such as clerk skims, POS swaps and malware attacks that can result in mobile security incidents that expose sensitive customer information. The problem is, it’s expensive to put security in place, but disclosing a data breach is required by law and it’s going to get noticed by customers.”Jacey Kaps

“What responsibility do restaurants have to protect against cybersecurity attacks and data breaches? Well, this has been an extremely hot topic, particularly with some recent high profile instances of restaurant chains and hospitality chains being attacked in cybersecurity data breaches. For example, Dickey’s Barbecue recently settled a case in August of 2021 in which they were dealing with a data breach that had exposed consumer credit card information. And the allegations in the lawsuit were that they did not securely maintain customer data and it violated California’s Consumer Privacy Act, the CFPA. As more restaurants offer things like Wi-Fi services, it’s important for them to be aware of the consequences of a potential breach, and of what they can do to build up their infrastructure and what resources they can tap into to limit liability. So, in some cases, that could be getting some form of cyber insurance to protect against the consequences of data breach or a hack. In many cases, it’s important to analyze how exactly because customer data is being collected and stored and ensuring that the servers that are being used to store that data are secure and that you have a plan, a business continuity plan in case consumer data is breached. Being able to notify consumers quickly if sensitive data is breached and ensuring that customers who are using your Wi-Fi systems sign something on the Sign On page that indicates their awareness of this being a public Wi-Fi access point.”Pooja Nair

More Stories Like This:

What Restaurants Need to Know About Cybersecurity

Is it Time to Reinvent the Drive-Thru?

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

AMAG Technology
AMAG Technology: Control, Reliability, and Customer-First Supply Chain Excellence
April 2, 2025

At AMAG Technology, being customer-obsessed goes beyond a mindset—it’s built into every part of the operation. One of the company’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to manufacture its own products, offering a level of supply chain control that few competitors can match. Allan Price, Head of Global Supply Chain at AMAG, emphasizes how this…

Read More
visitor management solution
Reinventing Visitor Management Solution with Symmetry GUEST
April 2, 2025

In an age where speed and security are paramount, the traditional paper logbook is becoming a relic of the past. AMAG Technology’s Symmetry Guest system offers a modern, digital solution that redefines the way organizations welcome and manage visitors. Gone are the days of long lines and confusion at the front desk—Symmetry Guest empowers hosts…

Read More
AMAG
Driven by Customers, Defined by Innovation: Inside AMAG’s Customer-Obsessed Approach
April 2, 2025

AMAG Technology continues to strengthen its customer-obsessed culture by actively listening to both internal and external voices. As shared by Kyle Gordon, Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, & Commercial Excellence, the company is focused on improving processes, responding with speed, and driving innovation—while honoring its legacy and delivering unique value within the industry.

Read More
biotech
Biotech Moves Smarter: IDDI Powers Data-Driven Drug Innovation
April 2, 2025

As biotech innovation accelerates, small and mid-size pharmaceutical companies are becoming key players in bringing new treatments to market. Yet many of these organizations face steep challenges when navigating clinical trial design, regulatory approval, and data integrity. According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, industries like biotech could help generate up to $50 trillion…

Read More