Hospitality group The Capital Hotel and Apartments is investigating a potential cyberattack after phishing attempts that targeted guests via WhatsApp messages.
Recipients were urged to to click on a link in the message and submit sensitive information, including credit card details.
Founded by chartered financial analyst Marc Wachsberger, the company says it’s the fastest growing hotel group in SA, opening two new hotels a year and has expansion plans to open three new hotels a year in SA and beyond.
COO Garnet Basson said the incident occurred on November 21, involving the unauthorised use of certain guest booking information.
“The incident was promptly detected, initiating The Capital’s defined cyber security incident response protocol. This protocol, alongside The Capital’s statutory obligation in terms of section 22 of the Protection of Personal Information Act, (Popia) requires the swift notification of both potentially affected data subjects, as well as the Information Regulator and other potentially relevant law enforcement authorities,” said Basson.
“Furthermore, we can confirm that the regulator has also been notified” and the group would “provide the regulator with further material information as our ongoing investigation and post-incident activities mature,” he said.
SA remains a prime target for cybercriminals. According to cybersecurity firm Check Point, SA businesses face on average more than 1,000 cyberattacks a week.
Basson said the Capital group does not process or store sensitive personal information, such as credit card details and advised anyone receiving a suspicious communication to avoid responding and clicking on links, and to report the matter to their financial institution immediately.
“We are continually implementing technical and organisational security safeguards which enable our cybersecurity efforts. Our guests can be assured of this commitment and that The Capital continues to take steps to promote and protect their safety and security, especially throughout the upcoming festive season,” he said. .
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.