Data protection in an increasingly interconnected world has become a priority. This is reflected in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Commission adopted in 2016, which recognizes that "the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data is a fundamental right".
In the midst of the digitalization of many companies, care when handling personal data extends to a wide range of areas. However, data protection has always been a fundamental element in the service sector, especially in the hospitality industry. Contrary to what is sometimes thought, the arrival of the digital era in this sector does not pose a threat, but rather, with the right tools, data protection is a key element in the service sector. data protection in hotels can be strengthened thanks to technological innovations.
How IoT plays a role in hotel data protection
The internet of things, Internet of Things (IoT)refers to the network that connects different devices and the technology that facilitates their communication with the cloud and with each other. We are finding more and more examples of this type of network, from wearable devices to home automation and control from homes to large facilities such as hotel complexes, and which aspire to become a central element of the so-called "green economy". sustainable construction.
But it is not only key to improving the energy efficiency of these facilities, IoT is also of great importance for data protection in hotels, as its benefits can serve to meet the regulatory requirements established by the GDPR. The accessibility, the level of security or the ability to analyze and manage data provided by IoT networks allow an extra layer of protection to be added to the personal data handled in hotels, from customers as well as from the hotel's own technical team or agents collaborating with the hotel.
The GDPR outlines a number of principles when processing this data that the IoT can help deliver:
- Data minimization: To enhance security, hotels or other organizations requiring personal data should collect only the data they actually need.
- Safety: Data protection is based on encrypting the information shared with the cloud and between connected devices. In addition, organizations must ensure access controls, perform constant audits and updates, or establish effective identification and authentication systems that guarantee the privacy of this data.
- Transparency and consent: while being protected, data must be accessible; individuals have the right to know what personal information is being used and for what purpose.
TALAT software for data protection in hotels
At TALAT we have developed our own software for data management in hotels, TalatSmartHotel. But we always work on software development from the point of view of flexibility and the ability to customize the programs so that they can be used in a flexible way. to meet the specific needs of each customer, offering tailored solutions designed specifically for each project.
One example is the design of the home automation system that we designed for the Hotel Robinson Club Cala SerenaWe were in charge of drafting the engineering project and managing the execution of the home automation installations in a 26-room building of new construction.
For hotel complexes, even large ones, we have often worked with IoT networks based on the KNX communication protocol for building control and automation, in which the previous standards European Installlation Bus, European Home Systems Protocol and BatiBUS converge. Among the benefits of KNX are aspects that contribute to data protection in hotels, such as its security system, the customization and flexibility it offers, and the fact that it is an integrated solution for the future. KNX simplifies communications by allowing all devices, whatever their type, to communicate via a common language in a uniform system.
The project we are carrying out in the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center of ManacorFor example, we installed KNX in rooms and convention halls. Previously, we had already implemented the complex management system using our TalatSmartHotel software.
Other examples of hotel facilities that have taken advantage of the benefits of KNX in their rooms are the Hotel Hipotels Flamenco in Cala Millor, Majorca, or the Hotel Victoria Gran Meliá in Palma de Mallorca.
Sometimes, the installation of KNX in hotels has been accompanied by GPON technology, which improves telecommunications access: higher bandwidth, higher quality of service, increased security, integrated equipment management or easy scalability, among other advantages. Examples are the Hotel Hipotels Club Mediterraneo of Sa Coma (Mallorca) or the Hotel Meliá Villa Le Blanc of Cala Galdana (Menorca).
We have carried out a wide range of hotel installation projects to achieve different objectives, including facilitating data protection in hotels. We offer specialized services in engineering, domotics, software development or Project Management, but from a position always open to innovation and listening, so that tell us what you need so that we can start looking for the best way to carry it out.