Hoteliers can now access cutting-edge privacy practices compiled by top experts, on behalf of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). "Principles of Privacy" provides a clear, current overview of what's required to protect privacy in today's hospitality industry.

According to technology experts, the numerous threats to privacy include both criminal and potentially discriminatory abuse. Most threats to consumer privacy revolve around hackers stealing customer data, employees stealing data, companies losing or misplacing data in storage or transit, and corporations or government agencies misusing data.

Written for the hotelier, the manual presents the technical, conceptual, and legal issues surrounding privacy in accessible language and concise terms. Actionable steps and checklists ensure ease of implementation.

"Hotel companies recognize that taking guest privacy seriously and doing it well is good business," said AH&LA President and CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. "This primer helps the hotel community to continually evaluate its existing security policies and practices as a precautionary measure."

"Principals of Privacy" is the newest publication in the Technology 101 Primer Series, which also includes Technology Security Primer: The Fundamentals of Systems & Security Maintenance, E-Commerce: Frequently Asked Questions, Hotel Technology Infrastructure, Tech Primer: Revenue Management, and Tech Primer: Telecommunications in the Hospitality Industry.

Spearheaded by the AH&LA Technology Committee, the publication's funding was procured from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), the not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA.

To purchase "Principles of Privacy" online, visit AH&LA's Website at www.ahla.com/products_publications.asp or call AH&LEF's Educational Institute at (800) 752-4567 or (517) 372-8800. Outside the U.S. and Canada, call (407) 999-8100. Members can access the primer for free on the Members Only section of AH&LA's Website at www.ahla.com/members_login.asp.

AH&LEF is the charitable fund-raising and endowed fund-management subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Founded in 1953, AH&LEF is the premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for hospitality industry research.