As the holidays are in full swing and family travel time picks up, the eyes of hackers are WIDE OPEN. This time of year they see a prime opportunity to exploit travelers who may let their guard down on their digital security. Security risks like phishing, using public Wi-Fi and lost devices can easily compromise your personal information during travel. But it’s not just your data at stake. When employees let their guard down, they can unknowingly open the door to threats for your entire company.
According to World Travel Protection, only about 30% of companies require employees to follow basic cyber security measures while traveling. This leaves a significant gap in protection, potentially exposing entire organizations to serious risks. Here’s how to safeguard yourself and your business during busy holiday travel.
Safety Tips For Before, During And After A Trip
To avoid the stress of lost devices, stolen data or a security breach that could ruin your holiday trip, make cybersecurity a priority by taking a few simple steps:
Before Your Trip
- Update All Devices: Software updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities.
- Back Up Important Data: If your laptop containing vital client presentations is stolen, a cloud-based or other secure backup will allow you to get your data back without significant disruption.
- Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring more than just a password to access accounts. This makes it much harder for hackers to gain access, even if they have your password.
- Secure Your Devices: Ensure all devices are password-protected and encrypted. Encryption scrambles your data, making it unreadable to unauthorized users.
- Restrict Access To Sensitive Data: If you don’t need certain files or applications while on the road, temporarily remove access. This reduces the risk of compromised sensitive information if your device is stolen or hacked.
Safe Practices While Traveling
- Avoid Public Wi-Fi: If you must connect for business purposes, use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your Internet traffic. This acts as a secure tunnel between your device and the Internet, protecting your data from prying eyes.
- Be Cautious Of Public Charging Stations: Public USB charging stations can be compromised by attackers looking to steal data or install malware on your device — a practice known as “juice jacking.” Plug your charger into an electrical outlet or use a USB data blocker, which prevents data transfer.
- Never Leave Devices Unattended: Always keep your devices with you or securely locked away or in eye sight. If you must leave your laptop in your hotel room, use a physical lock to store it.
- Disable Bluetooth: Turn off Bluetooth when not using it, especially in public places. Hackers can exploit open Bluetooth connections to gain access to your devices.
- Pay Attention To Online Activity: Phishing, business e-mail compromise and online shopping scams are common during the holiday season. Always verify the authenticity of e-mails, especially those requesting sensitive information or urgent action.
Returning Home: Post-Travel Security Check
Security awareness doesn’t stop once you get home. Sometimes, you don’t know until you return that you’ve been hacked. Once you’re back home, review your accounts and look for unusual logins or transactions you didn’t initiate. If you accessed sensitive information while traveling, it’s a good idea to change your passwords when you get home. This ensures that any potential compromises during your trip don’t lead to long-term issues.
Consider A Company-Wide Travel Policy
To further protect your business, consider implementing a company-wide travel cybersecurity policy. This policy should outline the expectations and procedures for employees traveling on business or working remotely. Key elements to include are:
- Guidelines for using public networks (remember, VPN is more secure!)
- Reporting lost or stolen devices
- Responding to potential security incidents
Following these simple steps will significantly reduce travel-related cybersecurity risks and ensure that you can travel with peace of mind.
Ready For A Partner In Technology?
Schedule a consultation with Atlantic Technology Services, a Managed Services Provider (MSP), to see how we can assist your business in keeping safe during the holidays. To book a consultation, call us at 410-860-9899 or click here to schedule a meeting.
Ready to fortify your business’s cybersecurity? Fortifi Cyber Security, a sibling company to Atlantic Technology Services, can help your organization protect itself against cyber threats with our security services. Call Fortifi today at 888-500-9111 or sign up for a free vulnerability test.