Shield Your Business While Traveling: The Ultimate Guide to Cybersecurity for Business Travellers

23 May 2023
Accessing device data is essential for someone who travels for work and is often on the move. When travelling for a conference, meeting with clients, or working remotely, prioritise cybersecurity to protect business and private information from cyber threats.

This ultimate article guide will provide tips and strategies to shield your business while travelling.

Pre-Travel Preparation

As someone who travels for work, one may often need to manage and share information using devices, which can expose them to cyber risks.

Review Privacy Settings on Social Media

Before you embark on your travels, review and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms. This will help control who can see posts and personal information.Secure devices and data before leaving to reduce the chances of cybersecurity threats and safeguard business and personal information.

Remember to update software and passwords, activate two-factor authentication, and back up data.

Cloud backup - cybersecurity

Why Review Privacy Settings?

1. Protect Your Personal Information: By adjusting privacy settings, it becomes manageable what individuals can access updates, images, and personal details like date of birth, email address, and contact number.

2. Prevent Unwanted Attention: Adjusting privacy preferences can assist in avoiding unwanted interactions with strangers or acquaintances.

3. Maintain Security While Traveling: Sharing a travel itinerary with an audience may increase the risk of burglary or other security threats. Customising privacy preferences helps limit access to your updates to trusted individuals.

Update Software and Passwords

Ensure all your technology devices (that connect online) have the latest software, app updates and security patches. This includes a laptop, kindle, smartphone, tablet, and any other devices you plan to bring. Additionally, update passwords and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.

Back-Up Data and Devices

Back up data and devices before leaving to ensure there is a copy of everything in case of loss or theft. Consider using cloud storage like Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive or Dropbox. You can also use a physical external hard drive to back up data.

Protecting Your Devices

This is essential to ensuring your cybersecurity while travelling.

As a business traveller, there will be instances when access to public Wi-Fi networks or work in shared spaces is used, increasing the risk of cyber threats like spamming, hacking and malware.

Use VPNs and Firewalls

Remember to use a secure network or VPN and establish a firewall to safeguard against potential hacker intrusions when using the available Wi-Fi.

Secure Laptops and Smartphones

To secure laptops and smartphones, make sure to set up password protection and enable locking when not in use.

Additionally, using a privacy screen can prevent others from viewing one’s screen.

Protecting Sensitive Information

When travelling, accessing and sharing confidential business and personal data such as financial information, customer or client data, and trade secrets are constantly happening.

Unauthorised access to these can lead to identity theft, economic loss, and reputational damage.

Use Encrypted Email and Cloud Storage

Safeguard data by utilising email and cloud storage. This security measure will help prevent information access and interception.

Reasons why they are essential for business travellers:

1. Data Security: Encrypted email and cloud storage safeguard information like client details, financial records, and intellectual property from unauthorised access and interception, minimising the chances of data breaches.

2. Compliance with Online Regulations: Different sectors and industries enforce what data security levels are required and privacy rules. Encrypted emails and cloud storage aid professionals on the move in meeting these regulations and preventing penalties and harm to their reputations.

3. Remote Access: Using encrypted cloud storage, business travellers can securely access documents and files from any location. This convenience helps maintain productivity on the move while ensuring data security.

4. Secure Communication: Encrypted email services provide end-to-end encryption to ensure that important business messages stay confidential and shielded from interception, safeguarding information and proprietary knowledge.

5. Protect Against Cyber Threats: Cybercriminals on the internet frequently target professionals who travel for work because they often handle data. Encrypted emails and the cloud also reduce the chances of financial harm and harm to one’s reputation.

Use Two-Factor Authentication and Password Managers

Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) to boost the security of your accounts. Utilise a password manager like LastPass to save your passwords and protect against access effectively.

Staying Safe Online

Phishing is a common method used by criminals or malicious actors to trick individuals into revealing sensitive info such as bank info, passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details.

Ensure antivirus software is installed to safeguard your devices against software.

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How to Spot Suspicious Emails

1. Review the email sender’s address. Exercise caution with emails from senders or addresses that seem suspicious or unrecognisable.

2. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes. This could signal that the email is suspicious and not authentic.

3. Avoid clicking on links. Hover your mouse over email links to see the URL before clicking on them. If the hyperlink appears questionable or doesn’t align with the expected sender, refrain from clicking.

4. Don’t download attachments. This is true, especially if emails come from unknown or, weird or suspicious sources, as they may contain malware.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Email

1. Do not click on links

2. Most email providers have a feature to report phishing emails. Use this feature to report suspicious emails to your email provider.

3. Delete the email. Once the email is reported, delete it from your inbox to prevent accidental clicks.

Keep software and antivirus programs updated

Be sure to update software and antivirus programs. Keeping them current will help you stay protected against threats with security updates and defences.

Dealing with Cybersecurity Incidents

This situation can be challenging despite all the precautions business travellers take.

When a cybersecurity breach happens, reacting as soon as possible to minimise the consequences is essential.

Disconnect immediately and power off the device to ensure no further access is possible.

Contact IT and Change Passwords

If there’s a cybersecurity issue, promptly contact the IT team or cybersecurity provider to report the problem and seek help.

Update passwords and disable access to any accounts that may have been compromised.

In a data breach, notify the people affected and work to reduce any damage.

Be sure to update cybersecurity policies and procedures to prevent potential issues in the future.

Report Incidents to the Appropriate Authorities

Report cybersecurity incidents to law enforcement or regulatory agencies.

It’s crucial to report cybersecurity incidents to avoid any damage to systems and data. Law enforcement authorities could potentially help investigate the situation and uncover perpetrators.

By reporting cybersecurity breaches, you can help safeguard others from attacks. Law enforcement authorities can utilise the information provided to alert individuals about dangers and respond to activities.

When individuals report cybersecurity incidents, it helps law enforcement agencies collect information on cyber threats and patterns. This data could help create plans to stop attacks and bring cybercriminals to justice.

cybersecurity going online

Conclusion

As someone who travels for work, prioritising cybersecurity is required. Following the advice and basic tactics provided in this guide, you can safeguard your business during travel and secure data from risks.

Get devices and data ready before travelling. Safeguard devices, protect information, stay secure on the internet, and respond promptly in case of a cybersecurity issue.

Safe travels!