Case Study · IT Audit - Engave S.A.
How an IT audit for a 4-star hotel turned reactive infrastructure management into a ready-made plan for cost optimization and security
Project at a glance
Client
ApartHotel Termy Uniejów - a modern 4-star property with extensive IT infrastructure supporting hotel operations and guests
Goal
Gaining an objective picture of the state of the IT infrastructure and identifying areas for cost optimization and stronger security
Scope
Detailed analysis of 8 key areas: server room, network, backup, licensing, security, access policies, business continuity, hardware lifecycle
Result
Comprehensive technical documentation and a ready-made transformation plan - a roadmap for moving from reactive to proactive management
Problem
ApartHotel Termy Uniejów serves guests who expect smooth in-room Wi-Fi, reliable reservation systems, and fast front-desk service. Behind every one of these services is IT infrastructure - and over the years it grew to match the need: room by room, system by system, connection by connection.
That's a natural process in any actively growing property. The problem arises when no one steps back to ask: does the sum of these decisions still make sense? Are we paying for what we actually need? Is what we've built ready for the years ahead?
The hotel decided to run an IT audit at exactly that moment: not in response to a failure or an external requirement, but on its own initiative, to have a full picture before making further investment decisions. That's the right time for an audit - before a problem forces action, not after.
Areas identified for improvement
Engave carried out an analysis covering everything from the server room to password policies. Each area was assessed separately, with its own set of observations and recommendations - so the hotel would come away with not just a diagnosis, but ready-to-use guidance for action.
The property manages over 180 separate internet connections for its rooms. Each connection means a separate contract, a separate invoice, a separate potential point of failure. Consolidating to two high-performance connections - primary and backup - with appropriate QoS policies means not only simpler management but a direct reduction in operating costs, alongside improved reliability.
The audit highlighted the need to implement an automated backup system along with procedures for moving data off-site. Recommendation: a NAS server as part of the backup environment, with clearly defined schedules and procedures for verifying backup effectiveness.
Applications requiring updates to current versions were identified - Java, SQL, 7zip. Outdated software is one of the most common attack vectors in hotel environments, which process payment data and guests' personal data.
Guidelines were prepared for tightening password policies and account lockout rules based on GPO standards. Clear access rules are the foundation for protecting an environment that handles guest data and the property's financial data.
Physical servers were inventoried in terms of manufacturer support status. Components nearing the end of their support lifecycle were flagged in the transformation plan as a priority to address - before they become an operational risk, rather than in reaction to a failure.
An IT audit delivers the most value not when it catches a failure - but when it makes it possible to plan the next three years without surprises. A hotel that knows what it has, what it costs, and what needs attention makes investment decisions with confidence. A hotel that doesn't, reacts.
Results
8
infrastructure areas comprehensively analyzed - from the server room to password policies
180 → 2
potential consolidation of internet links: from over 180 down to two high-performance links with redundancy
Ready-made plan
IT transformation as a roadmap - not a list of problems, but a list of steps with priorities
ApartHotel Termy Uniejów gained something it didn't have before the audit: a complete, documented picture of its IT environment - with a description of the current state, identification of priority areas, and concrete action recommendations. That's the difference between knowing and guessing.
Before the audit, the hotel knew IT was working. After the audit, it knows what's working well, what needs strengthening, and in what order it's worth addressing. Management can now plan IT investments based on facts - not in response to failures.
The recommendation to consolidate internet connections is especially tangible. Moving from over 180 separate contracts to two - with redundancy and QoS policies - simplifies management, reduces fixed costs, and improves reliability for guests, all at once. One audit, one result that pays for itself.
Client's voice
"Working with Engave S.A. gave us reliable, comprehensive insight into the state of our IT infrastructure. The audit was carried out professionally, and its results were presented in well-founded documentation that now serves as our roadmap for further development. Engave S.A. is a partner that can translate complex technical issues into the language of business benefits."
ApartHotel Termy Uniejów
Why it matters
The hospitality industry processes especially sensitive data: guests' payment data, personal data, and access to reservation systems connected to external platforms. From an IT security standpoint, this environment is more complex than many manufacturing or service businesses - because it combines 24/7 operations with serving hundreds of external users at once.
At the same time, IT in hospitality is rarely treated as a strategic area - it usually just handles day-to-day needs and responds to tickets. An audit changes that logic: instead of reacting, the hotel can plan.
This project is an example of a mature management decision: investing in knowledge before investing in equipment. Before the hotel decides what to buy and what to change, it knows exactly where to start and why.
What this means for your property
An IT audit for a hotel property is a single project that delivers three things: a picture of the current state, priorities for action, and arguments for the budget conversation with management. It starts with a conversation.
engave.pl/kontakt
Engave S.A. · engave.pl · All rights reserved
Cybersecurity, IT care, digitalisation - whatever the topic, we're happy to talk. Describe your need and the right specialist will get back to you within 24 business hours.
CONTACT:
biuro@engave.pl
+22 863 13 90
Technical support: +48 604 470 151
16 Czarodzieja St., 03-116 Warsaw, Poland