Traveling Internationally
For those traveling internationally for work, research, or vacation, protecting personal and institutional data and mobile devices is critical. Individuals face a variety of threats when traveling, and best practices start long before boarding the plane. Faculty, staff, students, and other travelers, please use this checklist to prepare yourselves — and your technology—for the unique threats of global travel.
Before You Leave
Physical Security
- Be aware of national data protection laws in your home and destination countries.
- Know and follow policies for using various devices, institutional data, and institutional resources.
- Research personal, criminal, and cyber risks in the country or region you’re visiting.
- Purchase and pack privacy screen filters, portable chargers, and country specific plug adapters.
- Be aware that border and/or customs officials may search your devices multiple times and copy data therein.
- Understand that legally confiscated electronic devices may not be returned for months.
Technical Security
- Consult with your IT support professional about special concerns regarding your technology or your destinations.
- See if low-cost, loaner devices are available to mitigate the risk of losing more valuable equipment.
- Ensure your devices have full disk encryption when available and local encryption when not.
- Verify that your device’s Operating System (OS) software is up to date.
- Make sure your antivirus program is updated and performing regular scans.
- Disable FaceTime and GoogleMeet since they can be mechanisms for “zero-click” attacks.
- Check your cell phone coverage and international data plan options. If you need to access University systems through Duo and your cell phone will not be available, you can purchase a Duo fob from the CCIT Support Center as an alternative.
- Enable your institution’s VPN access. Be aware some countries block VPN. Talk to your IT support for alternatives if needed.
- Set up institutionally approved, centrally provisioned data storage.
- Back up all data prior to travel, and take only essential data with you.
- Create complex passwords, PINS, codes, and screen locks for your device.
While Traveling
- Regularly restart your devices to help remove implanted malware.
- Use Clemson’s trusted Virtual Private Network (VPN).
- Don’t click on suspicious links or suspicious attachments sent via text or email.
- Enable Apple’s “Lockdown Mode” (for high-risk executives on iPhones).
Upon Returning
- Review banking and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
- Scan devices for unusual activities with the help of your IT support professional.
- Provide feedback to your IT support professional on what did and did not work well.
- Reestablish normal systems and safeguards with the help of your IT support professional.
- Resume your weekly or monthly data check and back up routines as normal.
Additional Resources
"Some of the above content was provided by the The Research and Education Networks Information Sharing and Analysis Center (REN-ISAC) which serves over 620 member institutions within the higher education and research community by promoting cybersecurity operational protections and response."
