We’ve entered peak travel season, which means it’s a good time to revisit best practices for staying secure and productive on the go.
Here’s a quick round-up of actions you can take before, during, and after your travels.
How to Prepare
- Talk to IT
If you’re traveling internationally, check in with your IT team before departure to confirm any special security protocols. If your organization uses geofiltering, for example, you might need to a temporary exception to receive email at your destination. More security-conscious organizations may even provide loaner devices with limited access for high-risk travel destinations.
- Back Up Your Devices
Before you head out, back up your phone and laptop. If your laptop is on a continuous backup solution, verify that everything is working properly. Devices can get lost, damaged, or stolen and having an up-to-date copy of your critical data can save you from a devastating loss.
- Sync Important Files
If you primarily use SharePoint, OneDrive, or similar platforms, know that not all your documents will be available offline by default. Sync important folders and files to your device ahead of time so you can work on them without stable internet access and without removing (downloading) them from where they are secured and backed up.
- Power Up
A portable power bank can top off phones and small electronics when outlets aren’t available. While it’s not a substitute for regular charging, it’s a great backup option to help you stay powered up in a pinch. And don’t forget a plug adapter if you’re going overseas. Anker is one good brand to consider for this equipment.
Risks to Avoid
- Fake Booking Sites
There’s been a 900% increase in travel scams over the last few years. Fake ads lead to fake booking sites that install malware or steal information from you. Book your flights and lodging from a fresh window where you navigate to the provider’s site directly.
- Public Wi-Fi
Over half of public Wi-Fi networks are not secure. If you must connect to public Wi-Fi, ensure you use a VPN package to encrypt your web traffic and shield browsing activity, login credentials, financial data, and sensitive company files from bad actors. If you can’t get a VPN, use your phone or laptop as a personal hotspot instead.
- USB Charging Stations
Though not terribly common, public USB charging stations can be compromised through a tactic known as “juice jacking,” where malware is installed through USB ports. Use an AC power outlet instead whenever possible. If you must use a USB station, make sure you do NOT approve prompts to “trust” connected devices.
Closing the Loop
- Scan Your Devices
Upon your return, reconnect with your IT team. They may want to run security scans on your devices to ensure they weren’t compromised during your travels.
- Resync Your Files
Make sure any work completed offline successfully syncs back to your organization’s cloud platforms—such as SharePoint or OneDrive—to maintain version control and get current versions back into the protected environment.
Safe travels!