Just because you might be taking a vacation this summer doesn’t mean cyber thieves will do the same. As you and your company’s users prepare to close out your summer travel - for leisure or for work - it’s important to take a few simple precautions that will go a long way in the protection of your data and your employers.
Remember, the hospitality industry is a popular target for cyber attackers, mostly due to the treasure trove of personal information they usually possess, including passport information, credit card details, address, birthdate, travel plans and more. From Hyatt to Uber, Hertz to United, companies that support your travel have long proven vulnerable. And, many jurisdictions are now demanding ad hoc access (at border crossings, customs, and immigration) to travelers’ mobile devices.
What can you do to protect your data? Here are a few tips:
Two last travel tips I was reminded of while traveling in Europe last week: keep copies of your travel documentation (passports, visas, tickets, etc.) in a secure place. If you lose them, they are much easier to replace if you have a copy to reference. And, have a back-up plan. The recent security breach in the Munich airport stranded thousands of passengers, across multiple airlines. Large incidents like these can mean days before you can get rebooked. For fun or for work, no one wants to wait in those lines.
Most importantly though, no one wants to lose their proprietary or personal information to cyber thieves.