by The Computing Australia Group | Stay secure while travelling for work-
without slowing yourself down.
Stay secure while travelling for work-without slowing yourself down.
Business travellers are prime targets for cybercriminals: you carry valuable data, work under time pressure, and regularly connect to unfamiliar networks. The good news? A handful of practical habits and smart setup choices will dramatically reduce your risk.
This guide modernises and expands your original post into a comprehensive, easy-to-action playbook—covering pre-trip prep, on-the-road behaviour, and post-trip wrap-up. You’ll also get printable checklists, a jargon buster, and an SEO plan to help the article rank.
Why business travellers are targeted
- High-value data: Access to company email, finance systems, client files, and intellectual property.
- Rushed decisions: Tight schedules and fatigue increase the likelihood of clicking a bad link or ignoring a warning.
- Untrusted environments: Airports, hotels, and conference centres expose you to risky Wi-Fi, shared charging points, and shoulder surfing.
- Attractive devices: Premium laptops and phones are theft magnets—and often the keys to corporate systems via MFA.
Goal:Reduce your attack surface, limit blast radius if something goes wrong, and make recovery fast and painless.
Before you fly: security setup checklist
Proactive setup beats reactive clean-up. Complete this one week before departure.
1. Harden every device (laptop, phone, tablet)
- Lock screens with strong passcodes (6+ digits minimum), Face/Touch ID and auto-lock at 1–2 minutes.
- Full-disk encryption: BitLocker (Windows), FileVault (macOS), native device encryption (iOS/Android).
- Turn on “Find my device” + remote wipe for each device.
- Patch everything: OS, browsers, productivity suites, conferencing tools, VPN client, password manager.
2. Strengthen authentication
- Unique passwords for each account via a reputable password manager.
- MFA/2FA everywhere—prefer app-based or hardware security keys (FIDO2) over SMS.
- Update recovery options (backup codes printed, stored offline).
3. Minimise data exposure
- Principle of least privilege: travel with a “clean” travel profile or a limited account without admin rights.
- Data minimisation: sync only the files you must use offline. Keep everything else in secure cloud storage with per-file permissions.
- Containerise work data on mobile via MDM or secure workspace apps to keep personal and business data separate.
4. Configure safe connectivity
- Corporate-approved VPN installed and tested.
- Disable auto-connect to Wi-Fi and forget old networks.
- Turn off Bluetooth discovery; set to non-discoverable or off by default.
- Consider a travel hotspot/eSIM to avoid untrusted Wi-Fi (often cheaper and safer than roaming on public networks).
5. Plan for power safely
- Carry your own charger and cable. Avoid public charging stations when possible.
- Pack a USB data blocker (“USB condom”) to disable data pins when you must use public power.
6. Backups & emergency access
- Cloud backup enabled and verified (laptop + mobile).
- Local encrypted backup on a small SSD kept separate from your laptop when in transit.
- Store critical phone numbers (IT support, bank, mobile carrier) offline.
7. Travel notifications
- Advise your bank and mobile carrier of travel dates to reduce fraud flags and speed up support.
- Enable roaming controls and ensure you can receive MFA when overseas (eSIM/roaming plan/hardware key).
Essential policies for employers
If you manage a travelling team, implement these baseline controls:
1. Mobile Device Management (MDM) to enforce encryption, screen locks, OS version, app allowlists/denylists, and remote wipe.
2. Zero-trust access: conditional access policies (geo/IP/device health), least privilege roles, and per-app VPN.
3. Travel laptop builds: non-admin accounts, limited local data, tamper-evident seals on ports if needed.
4. Standard hardware: approved password manager, corporate VPN, endpoint protection/EDR, DNS filtering, and hardware security key.
5. Clear response plan for lost/stolen devices, phishing on the road, and border inspection scenarios.
6. Just-in-time training: a 10-minute refresher before each trip (QR code safety, fake Wi-Fi, charger risks, conference phishing).
Eight core travel cyber security practices (expanded)
Your original tips—modernised with deeper guidance and examples.
1. Lock your devices (and lock them down)
- Strong PINs/passwords, short auto-lock, biometric unlock, and device encryption.
- Bonus: Use privacy screens to prevent shoulder surfing on planes and in lounges.
- Physical: Never leave devices unattended. Use a cable lock in hotels/conferences.
2. Avoid public Wi-Fi (use safer alternatives)
- Prefer mobile hotspot/eSIM or known enterprise Wi-Fi with WPA2-Enterprise/WPA3.
- If you must use public Wi-Fi:
- Connect via your corporate VPN immediately.
- Do not access sensitive systems if the VPN won’t connect.
- Verify captive portals (watch for typosquatting in SSIDs and look for HTTPS).
- Consider a travel router that creates your own secure mini-network behind hotel Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
3. Turn off auto-connect
- Disable Wi-Fi auto-join and forget old networks.
- Turn off Ask to Join pop-ups to avoid accidental taps; connect manually with intent.
4. Limit location sharing (during the trip)
- Delay social posts until after you’ve left the location.
- On iOS/Android, set photos to remove location metadata before sharing.
- Check app permissions—many apps don’t need location at all.
5. Keep endpoint protection active and updated
- Install reputable anti-virus/EDR and keep signatures current.
- Turn on real-time protection and web filtering.
- Ensure firewall is on; block inbound connections unless needed.
6. Keep the OS and apps up to date
- Complete updates before travel; enable auto-updates.
- Update browsers and extensions—many attacks target the browser layer.
7. Disable Bluetooth (and other radios when idle)
- Turn off Bluetooth and NFC when not in use.
- Pair devices in private, and forget stale pairings.
- Avoid random AirDrop/Quick Share requests.
8. Back up to the cloud (and test restore)
- Confirm your last successful backup date.
- Test opening a key file from backup so you know recovery works.
- Keep a minimal local cache—assume a lost/stolen device will be wiped.
9. Ensure you have phone access overseas (MFA readiness)
- Bring a hardware security key (works without mobile signal).
- Set up offline MFA codes (printed and stored securely).
- Verify your roaming plan/eSIM supports SMS and data where you’re travelling.
Pro tip: If the only way to approve sign-ins is via SMS to your AU number and SMS won’t work overseas, you’re locked out. Fix this before you leave.
Network safety on the road
Spotting rogue Wi-Fi
- SSIDs mimicking hotels/airlines (“Lounge-FreeWiFi” vs “Lounge-Free-WiFi”).
- Networks with no captive portal when you expect one—or captive portals asking for personal data or credit cards unexpectedly.
- Signal that’s oddly strongest in a quiet corner—could be an evil twin hotspot.
Safe browsing habits
- Use modern browsers with anti-phishing protection.
- Keep an eye on padlock + HTTPS; don’t bypass certificate warnings.
- Prefer company portals bookmarked directly over email links.
Device & data protection strategies
Data minimisation in practice
- Move project folders you won’t need back to cloud-only.
- Use selective sync and per-file offline settings.
- Redact or pseudonymise sensitive data when feasible.
Email & messaging
- Treat any message about travel changes, invoices, or urgent approvals as suspicious—these are classic lures around conferences and quarter-end.
- Verify out-of-band via phone or corporate chat before paying or approving anything.
- Redact or pseudonymise sensitive data when feasible.
USB & peripherals
- Avoid random USB sticks from conferences.
- If you must move files, use known-good media scanned by your endpoint protection.
Airports, hotels, venues & transit tips
Airports & lounges
- Sit with screen facing away from crowds; use a privacy filter.
- Never leave devices during boarding announcements (prime distraction window).
- Treat public chargers as power only (use your own adapter or a data blocker).
Hotels
- Verify the official Wi-Fi name with the front desk.
- Use hotel room safes judiciously; they’re convenient but not invulnerable—prefer keeping devices on you or locked with a cable.
- Don’t take calls discussing sensitive topics in lifts or lobbies.
Conferences & client sites
- Badge skimming: keep NFC cards in RFID sleeves if provided.
- Beware QR codes at booths—fake codes can redirect to phishing pages. If possible, type URLs manually or use vendor’s official site/app.
- Don’t scan drivers’ licences or passports on unknown kiosks.
Rideshares & public transport
- Avoid reading confidential docs where seatmates can see.
- Keep laptops zipped away; theft at stops is common.
International considerations & local laws
Laws and regulations differ by country. A few practical considerations:
- Border inspections: Some jurisdictions may request device access at the border. Work with your IT team on a “travel build” (limited local data, strong device encryption, separate travel accounts).
- Data sovereignty: Certain data may be restricted from leaving your home country or must be stored in specific regions. Clarify what data you’re allowed to carry.
- Local cybercrime and privacy laws: Verify what’s permitted regarding VPN usage and encrypted communications at your destination.
- Australia-specific prep (if departing AU):
- Review advice from ACSC (Australian Cyber Security Centre) on travelling securely.
- Check Smartraveller for destination-specific risk alerts.
- If carrying client data, confirm contractual obligations (e.g., health or financial data restrictions).
This guide is practical advice—not legal counsel. When in doubt, consult your company’s legal & compliance team.
Incident response on the go
If something feels off, act fast—speed limits damage.
1. Disconnect from all networks (turn on Airplane Mode).
2. Don’t power off if you suspect malware (EDR logs may be critical); instead, isolate and contact IT.
3. Change passwords from a separate, known-clean device.
4. Revoke tokens/sessions (email, cloud storage, VPN).
5. Report to your IT/security team with time, place, symptoms, and any suspicious messages or links.
6. Lost/stolen device: trigger remote lock/wipe via MDM/Find My Device; file a police report for insurance.
Jargon buster
- VPN (Virtual Private Network): Creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a trusted server, shielding your traffic on untrusted networks.
- Operating System (OS): Core software that manages your device (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android).
- MFA / 2FA: Extra verification beyond a password (app prompt, code, or hardware key).
- MDM: Mobile Device Management—software that enforces security settings and enables remote wipe.
- EDR: Endpoint Detection & Response—advanced protection that monitors, detects, and responds to threats on devices.
- Data minimisation: Carry only the data you truly need to reduce risk if a device is lost or inspected.
- Evil twin: A fake Wi-Fi network that imitates a legitimate one to intercept traffic.
- USB data blocker: An adapter that disables the data pins in a USB cable so charging can’t transfer data.
Travel security packing list
- Primary laptop + privacy screen filter + cable lock
- Phone with roaming/eSIM configured and MFA working
- Hardware security key (FIDO2) with backup codes printed
- Own wall charger, power bank, USB data blocker, and known-good cables
- Compact travel router (optional)
- Encrypted portable SSD for local backups (kept separate in transit)
Final Thoughts
Business travel doesn’t have to be a security gamble. Lock down devices, reduce the data you carry, favour your own connectivity, and know what to do if something goes wrong. Combine these habits with solid company policies—MDM, zero-trust access, and a clear incident plan—and you’ll stay productive and protected on the road.
If you’d like help implementing MDM, VPN, travel laptop builds, or a quick pre-trip training pack for your team, we can set that up.
