Cybersecurity platform Upfort is being used by the Washington Hospitality Association in the US to administer a risk management programme.

The partnership aims to empower 6000 members of the hotel, restaurant and hospitality industry in Washington to proactively manage cyber risk with Upfort’s holistic solution.

Washington Hospitality Association members can now follow an online process to access cybersecurity training, phishing simulations, continuous monitoring, a browser firewall and advanced email defence – with no IT experience required.

The breadth of the hospitality industry and its operations means that the cybersecurity threat landscape is vast, complex and critical.

Research has found that almost a third of hospitality organisations reported a cyber breach, which cost an average of $3.4m, in 2023 alone.

Washington Hospitality Association senior manager of insurance services Logan Dozier commented: “Cyber risk has quickly emerged as one of the top concerns plaguing hospitality organisations of all sizes, and we pride ourselves on solving problems for our members.”

Upfort cofounder and managing director Josh Riley added: “This partnership reflects a seismic shift in the way large groups can manage cyber risk and fortify cyber security at scale.”

The Washington Restaurant Association (established 1929) and the Washington Lodging Association (established 1920) joined forces in 2016 to create the Washington Hospitality Association. It supports and advocates for restaurateurs, hoteliers and related hospitality industry professionals in the state capital and communities state-wide.