Cybersecurity best practices

Travel Smart: Essential Cybersecurity Practices For A Hack-Free Vacation

Summer is a popular time for business owners and employees to step out of the office and take a well-deserved vacation. Even if their “out of office” email responder is active, many people will periodically check in on work at least once while traveling. Unfortunately, studies show that working outside of the office – whether it’s a few simple check-ins on vacation, connecting to the Internet at a local coffee shop, or even business travelers out on work trips – can lead to major cybersecurity issues. If you or your employees will be answering urgent emails from the airport or accessing network documents in the hotel lobby, it’s essential to maintain strong cybersecurity best practices to avoid exposing the company’s network to hackers nearby.

In this blog post, we’ll cover what cybersecurity best practices are necessary for you to take before and during any trip to keep your network secure.

Why Cybersecurity Matters While Traveling

Cybersecurity might not be at the top of your vacation checklist, but ignoring it can turn your dream getaway into a nightmare. Cybercriminals know summer is a prime time to attack because people are more likely to let their guard down while on vacation. For most vacationers, the focus is on enjoying time out of the office instead of ensuring they’re following cybersecurity best practices, making them an easy target for hackers.

To minimize the risk of a cyberattack while traveling, here are a few best practices to cover with anyone on your team who might connect to the Internet while on vacation.

Before You Go:

  • Back Up Your Data: If your device gets lost or ruined, you’ll want a copy of your data available to restore.
  • Update Your Software: Ensure your operating system, web browsers, and apps are updated to the latest version. Outdated software can impact your device’s ability to defend against malware.
  • Protect Your Devices: Always lock your device using a PIN, passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition feature. Set this up before traveling so that, if you leave your device unattended, no one can access your information.
  • Enable “Find My Phone”: This feature allows you to locate your device if you lose it and gives you the power to remotely wipe data if it falls into the wrong hands.

While Traveling:

  • Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN encrypts your Internet connection, ensuring your data is secure even on public WiFi networks. Set up a VPN before you leave and use it whenever accessing the Internet.
  • Avoid Public WiFi: While convenient, public WiFi networks can be a hotspot for cybercriminal activity. Avoid unprotected networks whenever possible.
  • Manage Location Services: Turn off location services when not in use to limit exposure to criminals, and consider how you share your location on social media.
  • Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second verification form. Enable this for all accounts containing sensitive information.
  • Disable Auto-Connect Features: Some devices automatically connect to available wireless networks. Disable this option so you only connect to networks you trust.

Work With a Cybersecurity Professional

These simple precautions can help you keep your device secure so you can enjoy your vacation without worrying about cyber issues when you return to work. However, these steps alone aren’t fail-proof.

To truly ensure that your company’s cybersecurity measures are up to standard, consider working with a professional IT team that can monitor your network 24/7, patch vulnerabilities, and alert you if anything suspicious occurs. Our Cybersecurity Services are designed to provide peace of mind and keep your business safe.

For even more insight on our cybersecurity approach, explore our project services and see how we help businesses implement strategic security plans.

To help you prepare for your vacation and have peace of mind knowing your business is secure while you or your employees are working remotely, click here to schedule a FREE IT Security Risk Assessment with our cybersecurity experts today. We’ll evaluate your current cybersecurity solutions, identify potential vulnerabilities, and help you implement a strategic security plan to keep your company safe.