Home / ITRM Insights / Blog / ITRM's Cyber Security Guide for Leisure Centres
21 Jul 2025
Leisure centres today are more than just places to swim, lift weights, or take fitness classes; they're digitally connected hubs. From online bookings and membership apps to innovative equipment and public Wi-Fi, technology plays a central role in the customer experience. However, with this convenience comes a growing risk: cyber attacks.
Whether you manage a local leisure centre or a multi-site fitness chain, cyber security is now essential for protecting your operations, customer data, and reputation.
Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting leisure centres due to the volume of personal data they handle, including names, addresses, payment details, health information, and more. A breach can result in:
With multiple systems, staff devices, and customer touchpoints, leisure centres are vulnerable without proper cyber security measures in place.
Securing Wi-Fi networks is essential for leisure centres. One key measure to consider is ensuring you have separate networks for both staff and members. Staff need to have a private network that the public does not have access to, as it contains sensitive data used on their systems. The reason for this is that public networks are far less secure than private networks, as anyone can log on and access the network, allowing them to intercept data and distribute malware, as well as engage in other malicious activities.
To secure your Wi-Fi network, many of us are aware that a strong password is necessary. Additionally, you can take advantage of Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3), introduced by the Wi-Fi Alliance in 2018. WPA3 offers stronger encryption than previous versions, enhanced protection against brute-force attacks and more. This feature becomes a standard offering for most Wi-Fi routers after 2020, but you may need to enable it through your router's settings.
One of the most effective strategies for protecting against cyber attacks is education, as phishing often relies on human mistakes. By implementing regular cyber security training, you can pinpoint your vulnerabilities and strengthen your defences using the insights gained. Suppose you lack the internal capabilities to conduct this training yourself. In that case, ITRM provides a service that develops a customisable training program utilising online learning in various formats, including courses, videos, and gamification, and it also features an actionable performance report. Additionally, we can dispatch simulated phishing emails to 'test' your security measures, which can be used to identify weak links and target training towards them.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a valuable resource that can be utilised to enhance the security of your organisation. MFA is a security mechanism that requires you to present two or more authentication methods to access an account or system. By incorporating this extra verification step, it becomes more difficult for cyber criminals to obtain unauthorised access. For instance, when attempting to log into your email, you may be asked to confirm your identity by entering a code sent to your mobile device. With this additional security measure in place, you can deter potential criminals.
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail; no leisure centre is entirely immune to digital threats. That's why it's essential to have both a well-structured incident response plan and a reliable data backup and recovery system in place. Together, these two components form the backbone of your facility's resilience strategy.
An incident response plan outlines exactly how your team should respond in the event of a cyber attack, data breach, or system failure. It should clearly define the steps to take, who is responsible for each action, and how to communicate both internally and externally during a crisis. This plan isn't just a document to file away; it should be regularly reviewed, updated, and practised through simulations to ensure everyone knows their role when it matters most.
Equally important is a dependable data backup and recovery system. All critical data, including customer records, booking information, and financial transactions, should be backed up automatically and stored securely in off-site or cloud-based environments. These backups must be encrypted and regularly tested to ensure they can be restored quickly and effectively. Isolating backup systems from your primary network also helps protect them from being compromised during an attack.
As leisure centres become increasingly reliant on the digital world, understanding who can access your IT systems and what they can do once inside is crucial. This is where the AAA framework can be used to Authenticate, Authorise and Account for those using your network, but what does each pillar mean?
This can be quickly likened to showing your ID at the reception. The system will check your credentials (such as a username or password) and will validate your identity. A practical example of this would be if a member were logging into your CRM; before gaining access, they are asked to verify their identity. Including additional methods of verification, such as multi-factor authentication, can further improve security by requiring members to authenticate themselves in multiple ways.
Once you've passed reception by showing your ID, authorisation is key to gaining access to different areas; you may have access to some, but not others. Within your CRM, your receptionist may be able to access booking systems, but not payroll data and a member may be able to book classes, but they are unable to view other members' data. Authorisation ensures that everyone has access only to what they're supposed to, nothing more, nothing less.
Accounting is like the CCTV systems and visitor log. You are able to recall who has entered, what they did, and the time logs of when they took actions. In a leisure centre, this could mean logging members' check-ins, monitoring staff activity, or recording changes to bookings and payments. Accounting for the above allows you to swiftly manage audits, improving operational efficiencies and, significantly, identifying suspicious behaviour.
By implementing AAA, you are strengthening your cyber security posture, helping you meet compliance requirements such as GDPR. It also ensures that access is controlled, activity is monitored, and sensitive data is safeguarded, without negatively impacting your users.
Cyber security is not just a trend, it's a necessity for leisure centres in 2025. With increasing digital integration and growing threats, taking proactive steps to secure your systems, train your staff, and prepare for incidents is not just essential, it's non-negotiable.
By implementing the measures outlined, you can protect your members' data, maintain operational continuity, and build long-term trust in your facility. Don't wait for a breach to take action; start strengthening your cyber defences today by speaking with the ITRM team, who can create a bespoke plan to support your cyber security needs. Complete the form below...