Hotel Online
News for the Hospitality Executive



advertisement



TODAY Show Segment Highlights Hotel Room Lock Vulnerabilities

December 6, 2012 - This morning, NBC News reporter Jeff Rossen ran a segment on the TODAY Show (available for viewing here) highlighting Onity lock vulnerabilities.  As part of the report, independent security consultant Jim Stickley demonstrated the hacking device and the ease with which it can be used to gain access to hotel rooms.

This nationally-broadcast report may generate sufficient interest with local and regional media outlets for similar stories.  

As a reminder, below is information on the issue sent earlier this week.  Please review this information, which includes a revision to the "What You Can Do" section as well as AH&LA's updated statement.

Media Coverage Regarding Possible Guestroom Burglaries Attributed to Hotel Room Lock Vulnerabilities

What's Going On
There have been several reports of guestroom burglaries attributed to suspects using laptop computers and key cards in California, Florida, and Texas.  AH&LA alerted members in July that a hacker had created a device to open Onity guestroom door locks.  Members also have reported the use of similar, smaller devices concealed in iPhone cases and Dry Erase marking pen bodies that plug into the door locks.  These show up on the lock readout as a “portable programmer” use, but no serial number for the portable programmer is noted.

Members have raised concerns that the complimentary cap and security screw mechanical fix being provided by Onity has a technical glitch in newer models. Additionally, members have indicated there are delays in a sufficient number of replacement boards.

At the request of the industry, Onity undertook a third-party review of its circuit board fix, which was just provided to the industry last week.  Additionally, some chains are conducting their own internal investigations on the security of the circuit boards.

Please contact Onity directly at (800) 924-1442 with any questions you may have.

What You Can Do
  • Provide AH&LA’s Guest Safety Tips to your guest as they check in, or place in their rooms.
  • Make sure your front desk and reservations agents are aware of the issue and can address with guests.
  • Hotel staff should be vigilant while they are on the guest floors and pay attention to guests walking through hallways.
  • Encourage guests to use guestroom secondary door locking devices for added security and to utilize hotel safe deposit boxes and in-room safes to store valuables.
AH&LA Statement on Guestroom Burglaries Attributed to Onity Locks
There have been reports of guestroom burglaries attributed to suspects using laptop computers and key cards to open Onity guestroom door locks.  The device can be concealed in an iPhone case and a Dry Erase marking pen body and plugs into the door locks.

The lodging industry is working closely with Onity to address vulnerabilities identified in certain models of Onity hotel locks.  One of the two fixes, a cap and security screw mechanical option, is being provided to hotels by Onity at no cost.  Onity is currently requiring all hotels to pay for a second technical fix involving re-flashing and lock control board replacement.  The industry is working collaboratively to determine what Onity  models are affected, which hotels the locks are installed in, which of the two fixes to obtain, and once received, assigning the employees to implement the fix as quickly as possible.

The lodging industry views guest and employee safety as a top priority.  According to industry figures for 2011, there are 4.9 million rooms and 52,000 properties in the U.S., which all use different lock vendors and models.  In the 30 years since electronic locks were introduced, they have been a great asset to hotel security.  The hotel rekeys each time a guest checks in as opposed to replacing actual keys, and the electronic keys allow for an audit trail to identify who has entered the room.

To view AH&LA’s award-winning Guest Safety Tips, click here.

About the AH&LA
Serving the hospitality industry for a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom-line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.
.
Contact:

AH&LA
ahla.com

.
  Receive Your Hospitality Industry Headlines via Email for Free! Subscribe Here

To Learn More About Your News Being Published on Hotel-Online Inquire Here
 
Also See: Ronald Vlasic, CHA, Regional Vice President of Hotels, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Inducted as 2013 AH&LA Chair / November 2012

Jim Abrahamson Elected as Incoming AH&LA Secretary/Treasurer; Hotelier to be Association Chair in 2015 / November 2012

AH&LA Partners with Hotel Cuisine & Lifestyle Initiative; National Partnership Offers Members Competitive Foodservice Procurement and Marketing Services / September 2012

2012 AH&LA Lodging Survey Identifies Key Trends in Amenities, Facilities and Programs; Focus Remains on Eco-Friendly Practices, Increased Technology and Health Conscious Programs / August 2012

AH&LA's Lodging Industry Profile Indicates Rise in Profitability for 2012 / July 2012

Joe Martin, Owner and Operator of Stillwater Hospitality, Honored with AH&LA Lawson Odde Award / June 2012

AH&LA Secures Extension for Existing Pool and Spa Lift ADA Compliance Date to January 31, 2013 / May 2012

House Considers Stripping ADA Pool Lift Amendment Protection this Evening; AH&LA Members Urged to Contact Congress Supporting Carter Amendment / May 2012

Facing the Real Possibility that Hotels will Close Pools and Spas Under the Current ADA Pool Lift Requirement, AH&LA Testifies in Support of Reasonable Pool Entry / April 2012

AH&LA Urges DOJ to Retract the Jan. 31, 2012 Pool Lift Requirements Document, Stating that the DOJ Did Not Follow Proper Procedures when Altering the Requirements; Over 1,200 Comments Filed in Favor of Delay and Portable Lifts / April 2012

AH&LA Supports Legislation Providing a One Year Delay for the ADA Pool Lift Requirement; Additionally Will Allow Use of Portable Lifts and Sharing Lifts Between Pools / March 2012

AH&LA Secures Compromise on ADA Pool Lift Requirement; White House Responds to Lodging Industry’s Appeals with a 60-day Extension of Compliance Due Date / March 2012

AH&LA Launches Women in Lodging Connect Competition in Honor of National Women’s Month; WIL State Chapters Challenged to Rally the Most New Members by June 1, 2012 / March 2012

American Hotel & Lodging Association Presents 2012 John Whitaker Award to James G Weitkamp, Vice President, Harbor Linen, LLC,; State Leadership Awards Presented to Members of Each Partner State Association in Recognition of Their Assistance with AH&LA Programs / February 2012

AH&LA Recommendations on the Top Five Things You Should Know About the New 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act / February 2012

AH&LA Seeks Department of Justice Clarification on Swimming Pool Lift Requirements Under 2010 ADA Standards; Industry Requests Guidance on These Standards to Take Effect March 15, 2012 / November 2011

AH&LA Opposes Ban on Federal Employees Attending Events; Proposed Rule Stifles Exchange of Expertise by Restricting Government Employees from Accepting Free Invitations to Attend Conferences / October 2011

AH&LA Defends Value of Meetings for Federal Agencies; Cites Benefits of Meetings to U.S. Economy / October 2011

AH&LA Surveys Industry in Aftermath of Hurricane Irene; Hoteliers Share Lessons Learned and Stories Exemplifying Hospitality / September 2011

AH&LA Lodging Industry Profile (LIP) Charts Profits, Sales and International Arrivals for 2010 Which Indicate Slight Uptick in Profitability / August 2011

David Kong and Montine McNulty Receive AH&LA Lawson Odde Award / June 2011

Partner Lodging Associations Honored by AH&LA for Outstanding Leadership and Growth / June 2011

AH&LA Honors Outstanding Hotel Employees with Annual Stars of the Industry Awards / June 2011

AH&LA Honors Hotels With National Achievement Awards; Hotels with Innovative IT, Environmental, Service Programs Recognized / June 2011

American Hotel & Lodging Association Presents 2011 John Whitaker Award to David Goldstone and State Leadership Awards to Members of Each Partner State Association in Recognition of Their Assistance with AH&LA Programs / March 2011

American Hotel & Lodging Association Quizzes Hoteliers on Mandatory Americans with Disabilities Act 2010 Regulations; Deadline to Comply with ADA is March 15, 2011 / March 2011

Mayur Chheda Of Infinity Hotel Group Named To American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Board Of Directors / February 2011

Joe Martin Takes Role of 2009 American Hotel & Lodging Association Chairman John Campbell Elected Secretary/treasurer, Will Serve as Chairman in 2011 / November 2008

The AH&LA Elects David Kong as 2008 Secretary/treasurer; The President and CEO of Best Western International Will Serve as the Association’s Chairman in 2010 / November 2007


To search Hotel Online data base of News and Trends Go to Hotel.OnlineSearch

Home | Welcome | Hospitality News
| Industry Resources

Please contact Hotel.Online with your comments and suggestions.