December 2023 | Originally published on National Cybersecurity Alliance

Technology accompanies us everywhere these days, and that includes traveling for work. Cybersecurity remains paramount even when you are thousands of miles away from the office.
Here are a few tips for staying safe online and keeping your information secure when traveling for business.

PREPARING FOR YOUR JOURNEY
Understand the risks
When you’re gearing up for your business trip, know the risks. Reading this article is a great place to start. Understand that public wi-fi poses a threat to your data and devices. You want to ensure you’re securing your devices, both personal and business ones. If you embark without any precautions, you put your personal and employer’s data at risk. These risks can range from identity theft to data breaches.

Travel security checklist
You can take proactive measures to secure your digital assets and devices. Back up your data and make sure your software is updated. Use complex, unique, and long passwords for every account, along with multi-factor authentication (MFA). Use a password manager to generate, maintain, and store your strong passwords! Secure every device with a password and MFA. Check the privacy settings for every online account, and you can activate features like “find my phone” to help you manage your devices even if they are stolen. Minimize the amount of devices you travel with to reduce your vulnerability.

ON THE GO: STAYING SAFE DURING YOUR TRAVEL
Using public computers and wi-fi
Avoid doing any business on public computers. If absolutely necessary, use stringent security measures and ensure you don’t save any passwords on these machines. Log out of any account after using the device. Also, clear browsing history and cache. You be extremely mindful of how you surf when using public wi-fi, too. It is better to use either cellular data or a mobile hotspot.

Manage location services
Pay attention to how you are using location services, like if you allow apps to track your phone when you aren’t using them. Sometimes you need to allow for location sharing when traveling, like if you’re using a map app. Manage these settings to avoid unintentional data exposure.

Wireless connectivity
Prevent your devices from automatically connecting to unsecured wi-fi networks. Again, avoid public wi-fi use when for business. Additionally, go through your Bluetooth security settings to make sure you aren’t connecting to random devices. By doing this, you can better avoid potential breaches. Better yet, turn off Bluetooth and wi-fi when you aren’t using them.

Be social media savvy
Exercise caution when you’re sharing travel updates on social media. You might want to delay posts because you might not want to broadcast your absence. Always adjust your social platforms’ privacy settings to control who can view your content. Never post a photo of your boarding pass, ID, passport, or other travel documents.

Pack your mobile hotspot and VPN
A mobile hotspot (like through your smartphone) is one of the most secure networks you can use while traveling, and is a big improvement over public wi-fi. Use a virtual private network (VPN) to get an additional layer of protection, especially when accessing sensitive information.

Don’t sleep on physical security
Watch out for “shoulder surfers” who peek at your screens in public spaces. Safeguard your physical devices, explore hotel safety measures, and use personal chargers to reduce the risk of compromised charging stations. Use the hotel safe! Keep your phone in sight and locked. Check your pockets before you get up from a seat in public to ensure that you didn’t forget anything

GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Traveling internationally
Different countries present different levels of risk for the business traveler. Depending on the nation, you might need to worry about corporate espionage. Talk to your employer about precautions and check out resources from the State Department, which has information on every country on earth.

Don’t take the phishing bait
Watch out for common travel-related scams to avoid falling victim to phishing attempts, such as suspicious messages claiming you’ve been hacked or spoofed airline emails. Be extremely skeptical of unsolicited communications. Verify the source before sharing any information.

Protect sensitive documents
Handle sensitive physical documents, like passports and boarding passes, with care. There might be digital options, like a boarding pass on an airline’s smartphone app, that reduce the risk of loss or theft.

Travel insurance and cybersecurity coverage
Travel insurance can provide excellent financial protection, and there are options that include cybersecurity coverage. These policies provide an added layer of protection in case of unforeseen digital incidents during your travels. Travel insurance policies also commonly offer support for travelers while they are on their journeys. Travel agents are an excellent resource of advice for insurance.

BON VOYAGE! GOOD WORK!
You can stay safe online even when you’re traveling for work. By following these guidelines, you reduce the risks associated with doing business on the go. The peace of mind for you (and your employer) is well worth the effort. Put that tray table up, sit back, relax, and leave the bad guys on the tarmac!