Many hotels and resorts use electronic key cards. These cards with a magnetic strip are programmed in such a manner that once the duration of the stay is over, the person does not get access to the room.
The key cards make it impossible to pick up a card and break into a room. Electronic door locking systems were introduced across the globe as they help enhance hotel security, but what information does it contain?
Are electronic key cards safe? Well, it could be a threat depending on the details it has stored on it.
"All hotels mention the customer's name, address, room number and duration of stay in the key card. The key card of the hotel has vital information. Some of the hotels and resorts do store personal details -- including credit card number and its expiry date," says Shah Amber, consultant (information security management services), Mahindra Special Services Group.
Agrees, Pramoud Rao, managing director, Zicom Electronic Security Systems, there are many ways the credit cards can be misused in a hotel. There are chances that key cards could be lead to a data theft.
Some of the five-star hotels declined to reveal details of the key card citing security reasons.
"The key card has the code to access a particular room. It does not store any other details, not even the name of the guests," Kanan Udeshi, manager communications, The Oberoi Group, said.
The key card has the name of the guest and the period of stay. Credit card details are recorded separately by the front desk to validate payment. There is also a provision in the system to make the credit card function as an e-key, according to an industry official.
If the electronic key card contains information like the credit card details it can be easily manipulated.
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Source - Rediff
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