News & blogs

Stay safe outside the office: practical tips to avoid risks

05 Nov

Travel Safely – Know the Risks

Whether travelling by train, plane, or car, every mode of transportation comes with certain security risks. We're not talking about getting scammed by your taxi driver or your flight being grounded due to bad weather, but about risks tied to information security and privacy. What types of risks might you face while travelling for work?

1. Unsecured public Wi-Fi networks

When travelling, you have less control over your environment. Unlike the secure and trusted Wi-Fi networks at home or the office, networks at external locations can be unsecured, which poses a risk. Hackers could exploit these networks to intercept sensitive data, for example, by setting up a network with a name almost identical to the legitimate one.

2. Shoulder surfing

Working in crowded spaces like trains, hotel lobbies, or coffee shops makes it easy for people to glance over your shoulder. This tactic, known as "shoulder surfing," can give someone an inside look at confidential information on your phone or laptop.

3. Stolen or lost devices

It happens to the best of us—devices get lost or stolen. Sometimes it’s a moment of distraction; other times, a malicious person may slyly take advantage. If your device is lost, it's a security incident. And if it contains personal data, it's a data breach.

4. Unintentional information sharing

Posting updates on LinkedIn about your insightful business trip may be interesting to your network, but also to cybercriminals. They could use this information to target you with phishing attacks, like fake emails from your airline. They may even use it to target your organisation, by contacting colleagues with fake requests for payments you “can’t handle due to travel.”

5. Malicious charging stations

Need to charge your phone while travelling? Many public places provide USB ports, but beware of malicious charging stations. By plugging in, you could unknowingly download malware onto your device.

6. Government surveillance

Some government agencies in certain countries are known for espionage activities. This can occur both physically and digitally, like eavesdropping or scanning electronic devices at borders. In some cases, they might even install tracking tools or malware.

Stay alert – at Home and abroad

Many of these risks don’t only apply to foreign travel; they can also occur within your own country. For example, while commuting to work or visiting a client. Always stay aware of your surroundings, as these risks can be present when working remotely or on your way to the office.

Protect your entire organisation, wherever you are

By safeguarding your data on business trips, you not only protect yourself but also your organisation. Our interactive security awareness game, Safe Travels, puts you in realistic situations that require vigilance and awareness. Do you make the right choices? This game allows you to help your colleagues stay safe while travelling or working remotely.

Even colleagues with fixed work locations can benefit from this game, as the lessons apply to situations they may encounter in their personal lives. Log into Awaretrain to explore the module. Don’t have an account? Create a test account to experience Awaretrain for free.

Be well-prepared for your trip

Alongside training your organisation to recognize threats and risks, there are several other steps you can take to prepare for business trips:

• Check travel advisories – When travelling abroad, visit websites like those of your government to view the current security situation for each country. This includes political issues, crime rates, and natural hazards.
• Only bring essential devices – Avoid unnecessary risks by taking only the devices you need to accomplish your business objectives.
• Never leave devices unattended – Always keep your devices with you, even if you just step away briefly to use the restroom or take a quick call. Remember that hotel rooms aren’t secure storage spaces.
• Be aware of language and cultural differences – When travelling, cultural and language differences can impact not only business dealings but also how securely you work. Understanding local customs can help you anticipate unexpected situations and make safer choices.
• Use mobile data hotspots instead of Wi-Fi networks – Mobile hotspots are generally safer because data traffic is encrypted and protected by your provider. This reduces the risk of traffic interception, password theft, or cyberattacks.
• You can never fully predict risks – Even in places that seem safe, laptops can be stolen, or sensitive information can accidentally be discussed over the phone.
• Be cautious when sharing information – The less information you share publicly, the smaller the chance that it will fall into the wrong hands.
• Prepare your devices – Before you leave, ensure your devices are set up securely. Disable “automatic network connections,” use a VPN, enable two-factor authentication, and back up your data.
• Be aware of those around you – Lastly, always remain mindful of people nearby. Choose quiet spaces for private conversations and take appropriate precautions to prevent data leaks.