Keeping travelling employees digitally safe
A new report aims to keep globally mobile employees up to date on the potential digital risks they face, and keep themselves safe in the virtual realm
The Technology and Communication Report (TCR) from Denmark-based travel risk intelligence company Riskline contains detailed country-specific analysis and information covering all vectors of digital safety. Travellers can use it to find out about the availability of, and usage restrictions on, certain technologies, surveillance, border searches, social media law and many more; additionally, the report suggests various detailed risk mitigation strategies that travellers – both corporate and leisure – can put into place before they leave and when they arrive at their destination, so as to protect themselves against data and identity theft, loss of intellectual property and so on.
The report has also been designed to help employers maintain their duty of care responsibilities and ensure that their employees are digital safe when travelling for work.
“When most people think of ‘risk’, it is perceived in terms of physical danger, but we are all reliant on technology in our professional and personal lives,” commented Emanuele Scansani, Operations Manager for Eurasia at Riskline. “Whether it is trade secrets or private information, technology that is not effectively safeguarded can pose just a big risk for criminal opportunists and state actors. This new report provides comprehensive analysis for travellers to stay safe digitally.”
Did you know, for example, that satellite phones are illegal in China, with possession carrying the risk of a potential prison sentence? Or that the operation of certain sensitive technologies in Tibet or Xinjiang means that your private data is almost certain to be intercepted by state or criminal actors? Riskline’s report is full of such insights.
Among the best cyber security practices recommended by Riskline are to put in place digital safety contingency plans well in advance of travelling; to install a reliable virtual private network before arrival at an overseas destination; avoid free public wireless internet; keep anti-virus software up to date on all computers; and never to leave devices unattended.