Working from overseas
Working overseas offers incredible opportunities for personal and professional growth, but it also comes with its own set of challenges and risks.
By taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of devices and information, you can enjoy a rewarding and secure experience
Prepare your devices for travel
Here are some top tips for getting your devices into good shape before you head off!
Consider what information is on your phone (or can be accessed through it) and be aware border security / officials may demand to access that information. You may decide not to take your usual phone and instead buy a cheap disposable phone (”burner phone”) for your trip. On your return, remember to throw the phone away before connecting.
Download all the apps you’re going to use before you go and delete the apps you no longer use. Doing this will free up storage and reduce the risk of outdated apps being exploited by hackers.
Make sure your apps and operating systems are up-to-date and set updates to run automatically.
Ensure back-ups are enabled and anti-virus is installed.
Enable location tracking features like ‘Find My’ for Apple devices. These features are useful to locate a missing device and can be used to disable them remotely if they cannot be recovered.
Add a privacy screen to keep the information on your screen private.
Set up a password manager to store passwords securely. Note that some country border security may require you unlock devices to enable their inspection. Don’t assume password protection will prevent officials from accessing your data.
Online safety
Wherever you work from, protecting personal and professional information online is just as important as physical safety. Check out these tips for keeping cyber safe when you’re on your travels.
Mobile data can be expensive, but is more secure than public WiFi, so use it if you have doubts about how trustworthy the WiFi is.
Avoid using public WiFi networks for sharing sensitive information or financial transactions.
Use remote access software like a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure your connection if your company policy requires it. VPNs encrypt your internet connection, protecting your data from hackers.
Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and use a password manager to keep them safe.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security on all online accounts.
What to do if something goes wrong.
Stay calm.
Contact the local police immediately.
Notify your embassy.
Inform your employer.
For online training on this subject, contact Mindshift to learn about our cyber awareness training service.
