Business trips offer workers an amazing opportunity to expand their networks, attend conferences, and collaborate with experts. They become more productive, and businesses gain new contacts, especially with travel tips about cybersecurity.
However, one obstacle that can often cost a business more than it gains is poor cybersecurity. No matter where they’re going and for how long, workers must stay connected with their teams back home and communicate with clients. If there aren’t proper protections in place, hackers can seize important company and client data.
So, what’s a business to do if their teams are on the move? How can you keep work progressing while protecting sensitive data and client confidentiality? And just how could your communication be vulnerable to attack? Let’s explore.
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How to ensure peace of mind and protect your work while traveling
According to a report in 2023, the travel and tourism industry ranked third place for the number of cyberattack incidents. Busy travelers are seemingly easy targets for opportunistic hackers to attack.
Below are four effective ways of bolstering your client communication while traveling. You aren’t as helpless as you might think, using these four travel tips!
1. Update your software to overcome known vulnerabilities
Security vulnerabilities exist in almost all software. Every day, opportunistic criminals try to develop new ways to exploit them. As of August 2024, it’s reported that over 52,000 security vulnerabilities exist across several industries. This number represents a serious amount of potential cyberattacks and breaches.
In response, developers release regular updates to patch known flaws. These updates are vital to protecting sensitive data stored on gadgets. If you don’t download and install these updates, you leave yourself (and your client) open to attack.
Before traveling, use these tips to ensure that you update all the software and travel AI systems you use, including every app on your device. After all, a hacker only needs one route of entry to launch an attack.
Moreover, only download security updates when connected to trusted networks and sites. Hackers can send you fake update notifications through browsers to trick you. If you click on these, you may inadvertently download malware that can infect and compromise your devices.
2. Use an eSIM for safe connectivity and confidentiality
When traveling on business, we use our smartphones for everything. Not only are they vital to staying in contact with clients, but we also need to work in real time with colleagues on sensitive business matters. Unfortunately, safe and secure connectivity can be a major obstacle when on the go.
When you reach your destination, your smartphone may struggle to connect to new networks overseas. With no data options, travelers are often desperate to go online. They might be tempted by a convenient, immediate solution—risky free Wi-Fi networks.
Public Wi-Fi is risky because these networks often have no security measures in place. Data sent and received can be intercepted and seized. So what’s a worker to do when needing trusted, secure connectivity?
eSIMs are an innovative way to enjoy great connectivity while staying protected. These digital SIM cards are embedded within most modern smartphones, so adopting the technology is easy.
An eSIM allows you to change network operators easily, all within an app on your device. You can set one up in just three easy steps and enjoy unmatched coverage at an affordable rate. It really is that simple.
Moreover, eSIMs allow your smartphone to connect while on the move. You’re never tied to one location. For example, an eSIM for the UK provides safe, seamless connectivity across the region. No matter where you are traveling to in the UK, you will never have to rely on risky networks again.
3. Be wary of what you download or connect to
In addition to being cautious about unsecured networks, business travelers must remain vigilant about connecting to unknown devices. An unknown USB may contain malware that can infect your devices. To make matters worse, the owner may be totally unaware they’re carrying a tampered device.
This malware can compromise client communication in an instant. It can spy on your activity, including recording sensitive and confidential messages. But there is an easy fix for this kind of problem—by refusing to connect unknown devices, you’re preventing cross-contamination. Similarly, you should avoid downloading files from unknown sources to your devices. You never know if a file is tampered with.
Remember to turn off features like Bluetooth and auto-connect features, too. While convenient at home, these features might automatically download files from nearby devices. By disabling them, you’ll have total control over what is (and isn’t) downloaded.
4. Strengthen all of your passwords and encryption
One of the best ways of protecting client data is by protecting your own accounts. Whether email or chat apps, a strong password can negate many hack attempts. Business travelers can create a stronger password very easily.
Consider the following tried-and-tested methods:
- Increase length: The longer your password, the safer it is. Aim for at least 12 characters.
- Be unique: Never repeat a password. Always create a new, unique one for each account, app, or service.
- Avoid getting personal: Never use information that can be traced back to you, for example, date of birth or nickname. Instead, choose random or misspelled words or phrases.
Additionally, travelers should activate multi-factor authentication (MFA). This security mechanism protects accounts from hacks. Upon login, MFA will send you a single-use password or push notification.
Because the hacker can’t verify their identity, they will be frozen out of the account. This gives you enough time to change passwords and secure your accounts again.
A safer way to communicate when traveling
No matter where they are traveling, workers must stay connected, which makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks. These attacks can occur through risky networks or outdated software during client communications.
However, simple things can make a big difference in cybersecurity. Updating software and devices already protects you against thousands of known vulnerabilities.
Similarly, using technology like eSIMs allows you to bypass hazardous Wi-Fi networks. Use these travel tips, and as long as you have strong passwords and keep devices secured, you should have greater peace of mind going forward!
