TL;DR: Business travel security depends on reducing unnecessary exposure and giving IT enough control to respond quickly when something goes wrong. That means limiting the devices and data employees carry, keeping systems patched and protected, using trusted networks and authentication methods, disabling unused connections, and reporting suspicious activity or lost equipment immediately.
Business travel increases the risk of device loss, credential theft, unsafe network connections, and exploitation of unpatched software. IT teams can reduce that risk by preparing and patching endpoints before departure, maintaining visibility while devices are off-network, and giving travelers clear security requirements to follow.
These 18 business travel cybersecurity tips cover the controls IT should enforce and the habits employees should use before, during, and after a trip.
What should IT check before an employee travels?
Before an employee travels, IT should verify that the device is fully patched, endpoint protection is current, encryption is enabled, and required remote management tools are working. Teams should also confirm that the device has no unresolved critical or high-priority vulnerabilities that exceed the organization’s accepted risk threshold.
Use a pretravel endpoint checklist to verify:
The operating system, browsers, and business applications are fully patched.
Antivirus or endpoint protection signatures are current.
Full-disk encryption is enabled.
The firewall and endpoint monitoring tools are active.
Automatic Wi-Fi connections and unnecessary sharing features are disabled.
The device is reporting to the organization’s management platform.
Critical business data is stored in an approved, backed-up location.
The traveler knows how to contact IT and report a lost device or suspected incident.
IT teams can use PDQ to identify outdated software and push outstanding updates before departure and maintain patching, vulnerability visibility, software deployment, and remote support while the device is traveling.
1. Follow company policies
Why put all that work into developing IT policies if users don’t follow them? Before business travel, it wouldn’t hurt to remind users of your guidelines. Not only can it help reinforce what they hopefully already know, but it gives them an opportunity to ask any travel-related policy questions. And it gives you an opportunity to lay down the law.
If international travel is involved, users should also review any destination-specific requirements for handling company devices and data.
2. Install updates
Make sure operating systems, browsers, applications, security tools, and device firmware are up to date before departure. Patching known vulnerabilities reduces the risk that threat actors can exploit outdated software while a device is away from the corporate network.
IT teams should identify missing critical updates early enough to test and deploy them before the trip. Avoid major, untested changes immediately before departure. Leave enough time to confirm that deployments succeeded, required restarts occurred, and critical applications still work.
PDQ can automate patching to keep endpoints up to date. But travelers should keep devices powered on and connected long enough for approved updates to install, restart when prompted, and report failed updates to IT. They should not postpone required security updates without approval.
Find and fix vulnerabilities faster
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3. Back up data
Make sure important business data is backed up before the user departs. A recent, tested backup can help you recover company data if a device is lost, stolen, damaged, or compromised.
Whenever possible, store business files in an approved cloud platform or managed storage location rather than relying solely on the device’s local drive. Confirm that backups are encrypted, accessible to the appropriate IT personnel, and working as expected.
4. Download travel-related apps ahead of time
Encourage users to plan ahead. Many like to download airline, hotel, restaurant, or conference apps. While these can be incredibly convenient, it’s best to download them before departure.
Why, you ask? That’s an excellent question. You’re very astute. Well, cyber threat actors know that business travelers are easy victims. They can just post a QR code in a high-traffic area, claiming it will download a legitimate app. Instead, it could download a malicious app or malware. Ask users to download necessary apps ahead of time from an official app store or the provider’s verified website. They should also avoid scanning unexpected QR codes or installing applications through links posted in public places.
5. Protect accounts with strong authentication
In a perfect world, you’ve already laid the groundwork by writing and enforcing a strong password policy. But before users travel, make sure their accounts are protected by long, unique passwords or passphrases. An approved password manager can generate and securely store unique credentials so users don’t have to remember or reuse them.
Require multifactor authentication wherever possible, especially for email, remote access, cloud storage, administrative accounts, and other systems that contain sensitive data. Phishing-resistant methods, such as passkeys or hardware security keys, provide stronger protection than codes delivered by text message.
6. Avoid sharing travel information with outside parties
Obviously, employees’ families should know about their upcoming travels. But other than that, urge them to limit who else knows to protect your business from phishing emails. If an employee posts on social media or other public channels, aspiring phishers could easily put together a highly targeted attack by pretending to represent a legitimate company directly related to the user’s corporate travel plans. For instance, an email that appears to be from the airline offering a free upgrade to first class would be hard for anyone to ignore. Most of us would walk through fire for even a few extra inches of legroom, so clicking a suspicious link seems like nothing.
The fewer people that know a traveler’s plans, the less likely it is that someone will be able to leverage their business trip details against them. As a bonus, being super secretive can make your users seem delightfully mysterious.
7. Leave unnecessary devices behind
When it comes to bringing work devices on trips, less is more. Your users should bring as few devices along as possible. For instance, if they attend a conference where they’ll be in sessions all day, they might not even need their laptop.
Limiting travelers to the devices they actually need reduces the amount of company data that could be exposed if something is lost, stolen, searched, or compromised. It also gives users more room in their luggage to bring you back a souvenir snow globe.
For higher-risk destinations or trips involving especially sensitive information, consider issuing a temporary travel device with only the applications, accounts, and data the employee needs.
8. Keep any device you bring with you
The less time the mobile device spends alone, the better. Ideally, your users should keep it with them at all times. Don’t leave it sitting out in the hotel room. Don’t use it to save your table at Starbucks while running to the bathroom. And don’t forget it in an Uber or on public transportation. If the device is constantly with the user, it’s much harder for bad actors to gain unauthorized access.
If users must leave a device behind, they should follow company policy for securing it. At minimum, the device should be powered down or locked, stored out of sight, and protected with full-disk encryption. A hotel safe or approved physical locking device may provide additional protection, but users should not assume that either option eliminates the risk of theft or unauthorized access.
9. Lock your device
Whenever a device isn’t in use, it should be locked and protected by a strong PIN, password, fingerprint, or facial recognition. Configure devices to lock automatically after a short period of inactivity so protection doesn’t depend entirely on the user remembering.
Company devices should also use full-disk encryption and, where supported, remote-lock or remote-wipe capabilities. These controls can help protect company data if a device is lost or stolen.
10. Disable Bluetooth
Bluetooth is convenient, but users should turn it off when they aren’t actively using it. They should also reject unexpected pairing requests and avoid leaving devices in discoverable mode.
Disabling unused Bluetooth connections reduces unnecessary wireless exposure and can also help preserve battery life.
11. Be aware of border crossings
International border authorities may inspect or temporarily retain phones, laptops, and other electronic devices. The applicable rules and traveler protections vary by country, citizenship status, destination, and circumstances.
Before international travel, users should follow your organization’s travel-security policy and consult IT, security, legal, or compliance teams when appropriate. Minimize locally stored sensitive data, remove unnecessary accounts and applications, and make sure the device uses full-disk encryption.
Employees traveling with regulated, privileged, confidential, or export-controlled information may need a temporary travel device or additional guidance. Users should not attempt to delete, hide, or move data to interfere with a lawful inspection.
12. Consider the security of the Wi-Fi network
Public Wi-Fi is not automatically unsafe. Most modern websites and applications encrypt information in transit, which makes basic network snooping more difficult. However, unfamiliar networks still introduce risks, including fake hotspots, phishing sites, unencrypted services, and other devices connected to the same network.
When possible, users should use cellular data or a trusted personal hotspot instead. If they must use public Wi-Fi, they should verify the network name with the business providing it, disable automatic Wi-Fi connections, and avoid joining networks with suspicious or generic names.
Users should also follow company policy before accessing sensitive corporate resources. A secure connection does not guarantee that a website, application, or network operator is trustworthy.
13. Use a VPN
If company policy requires a virtual private network, users should connect to the approved VPN before accessing corporate resources over an unfamiliar or public network. A VPN encrypts traffic between the device and the VPN service, making information more difficult to intercept while it is in transit.
However, a VPN does not make every website safe, prevent phishing, or protect a device that is already compromised. Users still need to verify links, avoid suspicious downloads, and keep their devices and security software up to date.
14. Keep endpoint protection enabled
Make sure company-managed endpoint protection, firewalls, and monitoring tools are installed, enabled, and up to date before the user travels. Depending on your environment, this may include antivirus software, endpoint detection and response, mobile threat defense, or other security controls.
Users should not disable security software to improve performance, connect to a service, or troubleshoot a problem without IT’s approval. IT should continue monitoring managed devices and responding to alerts throughout the trip whenever connectivity allows.
15. Don’t use credentials on public computers
Every so often, a user may run into a public computer. If they haven’t brought their device along for the trip, that computer can seem like a great opportunity to check in at work. But it definitely, definitely is not. A public computer could have spyware or a keylogger installed. That means if the business traveler logs in to work accounts, they’re basically handing over their credentials on a silver platter.
Remind users that they should not access work accounts, enter company credentials, open sensitive files, or connect removable media to a public or shared computer. These systems may contain keyloggers, spyware, malicious browser extensions, or other tools that capture credentials and data. If they need to feed their Neopets on a public computer, sure, let them. But even then, they should anticipate that Neopian ne’er-do-wells might loot their NP balance.
16. Steer clear of public charging station
Avoid connecting company devices to unfamiliar USB charging ports or computers. A compromised USB connection could theoretically allow unexpected data transfer or expose the device to malicious software.
Users should charge devices with a standard electrical outlet and their own power adapter whenever possible. A personal power bank, charge-only cable, or approved USB data blocker can provide another option when outlets aren’t available.
17. Report potential incidents to IT
Users should report suspicious activity, mistakes, lost devices, unexpected MFA prompts, unusual account behavior, or possible credential exposure to IT immediately. The sooner IT knows about a potential incident, the sooner it can investigate, revoke access, reset compromised credentials, isolate affected devices, or remotely protect company data.
Make sure travelers know how to reach IT outside normal business hours and provide an alternative contact method in case they cannot access their usual email or device. Reinforce that prompt reporting is more important than assigning blame.
18. Disable automatic connections and unnecessary features
Before departure, disable automatic connections to Wi-Fi networks and remove any saved public networks the device no longer needs. Users should also turn off file sharing, AirDrop or nearby sharing, and other discovery features when they aren’t required.
Reducing unnecessary connections and services limits the ways nearby devices and malicious networks can interact with the traveler’s device.
What should IT do before, during, and after employee travel?
IT teams should treat employee travel as a complete endpoint security lifecycle, not a one-time predeparture check. Preparing devices before travel, maintaining visibility while they are off-network, and reviewing them after they return helps reduce patching gaps, detect suspicious activity, and limit exposure to new vulnerabilities.
Before travel
Before an employee travels, IT should verify patch compliance and enforce baseline endpoint security requirements. Confirm that the device is enrolled in required management tools, fully patched, protected, encrypted, and ready to report its status while off-network.
Confirm the device is enrolled in the required management and security tools.
Identify missing updates and unresolved priority vulnerabilities.
Deploy approved patches early enough to test them.
Verify encryption, endpoint protection, firewall, and backup status.
Confirm that the traveler has an IT contact and incident-reporting instructions.
During travel
IT teams can maintain endpoint security and vulnerability coverage by using internet-based management tools to monitor and manage devices outside the corporate network. Teams should track device health, patch status, security alerts, and suspicious account activity throughout the trip.
Monitor device health, vulnerability, and deployment status when connectivity allows.
Use an internet-based management platform for devices that cannot reach the corporate network or VPN.
Investigate endpoint alerts, failed updates, suspicious sign-ins, and unexpected MFA prompts.
Be prepared to revoke sessions, reset credentials, isolate a device, or remotely protect company data after an incident.
After travel
After the employee returns, IT should reassess the device for patching gaps, new vulnerabilities, security alerts, and unauthorized changes. This review helps identify risks introduced while the endpoint was operating outside the organization’s normal network controls.
Recheck the device for missing updates and newly identified vulnerabilities.
Review security alerts and unusual account activity from the travel period.
Confirm that endpoint protection and management tools are still functioning.
Investigate any unauthorized applications, configuration changes, or removable media use according to company policy.
Business travel cybersecurity FAQs
Is public Wi-Fi safe for business travelers?
Public Wi-Fi is not automatically unsafe, but unfamiliar networks can expose travelers to fake hotspots, phishing sites, unencrypted services, and other nearby devices. Use cellular data or a trusted personal hotspot when possible, and verify the network name before connecting.
Should business travelers use a VPN?
Business travelers should use their organization’s approved VPN when company policy requires it, especially before accessing corporate resources over an unfamiliar or public network. A VPN encrypts traffic, but it does not prevent phishing or make every website trustworthy.
Should employees use public computers for work?
Employees should not access work accounts, enter company credentials, open sensitive files, or connect removable media to public computers. These systems may contain keyloggers, spyware, or malicious browser extensions that capture credentials and data.
What should an employee do if a work device is lost while traveling?
The employee should contact IT immediately. Prompt reporting allows IT to revoke access, reset credentials, investigate suspicious activity, remotely lock or wipe the device, and protect company data.
Business travel security is a shared responsibility. Travelers need to follow safe device, account, and network practices, while IT needs to patch endpoints, enforce security controls, monitor alerts, and respond quickly when something goes wrong.
We know. It’s hard to send users out into the world and trust them to do the right thing. They grow up so quickly. But reinforcing these tips can set them down the right path and reduce the risk of a major security breach.
And luckily, you don’t have to rely on users alone to keep remote devices secure. PDQ allows you to manage devices over the cloud. Once the agent is installed, you can monitor and update machines whenever the user connects to the internet — regardless of whether they’re in the office or across the world. Deploy Java for a user in Jakarta. Update Microsoft Edge while your traveling employee gazes off the Big Sur Cliffs. Take advantage of a free PDQ trial to see how easy it can be.
