It is something many of us may not immediately consider when planning a business trip, but in an increasingly digital world, our cybersecurity should be one of our top priorities.
In the office or at home, you are likely protected from any potential threats due to a robust cybersecurity solution from your internal network. However, upon leaving the safety of your home and office Wi-Fi, you can be exposed to multiple threats both while on the go and through hotel or conference centre open networks. Business travellers are an attractive target for hackers and particularly vulnerable as they tend to carry sensitive business and personal data, often on multiple devices.
Review Travel corporate travel company is here to help with our cybersecurity travel checklist:
Before you go
- Update your software
Downloading the latest software updates is critical as they often include patches for security holes, which can help to improve your devices’ ability to defend against threats, including malware and ransomware. This also includes ensuring your antivirus software is up-to-date.
- Extra protect your devices
Always make sure your devices are locked and password protected. Your first line of defence is a strong password! If possible, enable two-factor authentication. If it is necessary to travel with sensitive data on your laptop then we recommend fully encrypting your device with disk encryption software. This scrambles your data, making it impossible to decipher without the password.
- Disable auto-connect
Some devices will automatically seek out and connect to available wireless networks. Bluetooth also enables your device to connect wirelessly to other devices. Be sure to disable these features so that you only connect to wireless and Bluetooth networks when you want to and not to any random device that happens to be close by.
On the go or at your destination
- Be wary when connecting to public networks
While public wireless networks allow you to connect your device to the internet, these networks tend to be unsecure and can provide a gateway for cyber criminals to access your devices. Confirm with appropriate staff where you are using your devices to ensure the network is legitimate. Regardless of which public wireless hotspot you are using –avoid conducting sensitive activities, such as online shopping, banking, or confidential work.
- Use a VPN
We highly recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) when browsing the internet. Using a VPN means all your data and every action you take on the internet will be encrypted when you’re online, making sure no hackers can get their hands on it or see what you’re doing.
- Think before you click on links or attachments
Always be cautious about downloading or clicking on any unknown links. Be on the lookout for phishing scams. Unless you know for sure who is sending the email and you are expecting an attachment or link, do not download the attachment or click on the link. The key is to be extra vigilant at all times.
When you get home
- Change your passwords
It might be inconvenient, but it is advisable to change your passwords once you return home, just in case.
To find out more about how we can help with your corporate travel, contact our team on 01625 446 277 or visit our enquiry page.
