India’s weak digital infrastructure threatens hospitality industry

India ranks 23rd worldwide in online safety and 89th worldwide on internet speeds and stability, due to a lack of regulations and precautions taken against cyber attack threats. Both factors hinder the progress of adoption of ICT in various industries, and specifically, according to a recent survey, the hospitality industry. The level of uncertainty has led to reluctance on the behalf of hoteliers to adopt technologies that would take their businesses to the web.

The 350-sample survey conducted by Hotelogix, a hospitality technology provider, revealed major interest in cloud-based property management systems, advanced payment solutions and channel management solutions, but that the threat of unstable connections and weak cyber security had increased overheads and held them back from taking further steps towards innovation.

The survey noted that “Despite the challenges in adopting technology, either cloud or others, majority [sic] of the hoteliers felt that being present online is of utmost priority as that’s where their customers are increasingly moving.”

Growing concerns by hotels and other businesses encouraged different governmental parties to take action to help bring digital safety to the economy.

The Indian supreme court has already made its stance clear on the topic by introducing the right of privacy as a basic human right. The ruling will help clarify the position companies need to occupy when operating in India, and provide an incentive for increased internet quality.

Kiren Rijiju, The Minister of State for Home stated, “I realise that the more we are exposed to this world, the more vulnerable we have become” adding “I am not discrediting our capability but the reality is what is [sic] India’s capability and what is our capacity, there is a huge gap.”

A series of major cyber attacks, such as the Wannacrypt and Zomato attacks, have brought the subject into the light, leading to the development of the government’s National Cyber Security Policy. The policy is a plan to revolutionise the nation’s cyber security within the next year, arming it with an arsenal of digital shields, including 500,000 cyber security engineers.

India has also decided to address internet connection speed issues by leading the world in adopting 5G networks across the nation. The technology promises not only an increase in speeds, but the introduction of industrial internet which will power future technologies. 5G networks will also aid the nation in adopting different IoT technologies, advancing the nation’s innovation mark to the next level.