Tips for Safer Travel as a Corporate America Employee
When planning executive business trips, the focus usually stays on details like travel itinerary and accommodations. Electronic security during corporate travel is something that is often overlooked, but could have seriously dangerous implications for both executives and their businesses.
Security during corporate travel extends beyond the physical threats. There are potential risks including hacking, corrupt WIFI, investigators from competition, and eavesdropping.
Training executives on safe travel can be a challenge. With just four main areas of focus, you can help ensure deeper security while executives expand across the world.
- Perform a Travel Risk Assessment
A travel risk assessment should be done prior to any corporate travel. Assessments can be done on a corporate wide scope and on each individual trip.
Through the process of a travel risk assessment, find a way to identify all possible security threats, risks, and crisis. Common security pitfalls for corporate travel include:
• Unsecured and corrupt WiFi connections
• Hacking on mobile devices and laptops
• Eavesdropping or recording of sensitive conversations
• Varying laws related to cybersecurity and privacy
• Natural disasters
• Civil unrest
• High crime rates
• Political or economical risks
- Plan Crisis Response
After the risks of travel have been identified, there needs to be a clear plan in place to tackle challenges while on the road. Work backwards from potential scenarios to develop a standard course of action, line of communication, and potential solutions.
- Implement Proper Technology and Communication Tools
Maintaining consistent communication between the traveling parties and home base is crucial to ensuring the travelers’ safety and security. Technology and communication tools are some of the best ways to maintain safe corporate travel.
Some pitfalls of communication to be aware of include:
• Limited cellular or internet service
• Remote locations with limited resources
• Lack of emergency response structure
Providing corporate travelers with reliable WiFi or cellular connections can help them maintain consist contact which helps the response team move quicker in the event of a crisis.
For cybersecurity, it is critical to have technology in place to keep sensitive information safe. Encryption, backup systems, and other tools are necessary to protect leaks from happening during travel.
Paired with owning technology is the knowledge of what security threats are possible during corporate travel. During the planning phase, there should be an assessment of local laws on recording and security. Also, the traveler needs to educated on how to spot potential security threats like an eavesdropper or a bugged hotel room.
- Train Executives and Support Team Properly
Once you have developed a comprehensive risk assessment and planned crisis response, the team needs to be extensively trained. The line of communication, use of technology, and proper response plan needs to be so ingrained in corporate travelers’ mind that it is easily executed under high-pressure situations.
Set clear expectations for each employee on their role in corporate travel safety. Define what the consequences will be for non-compliance as well.
Contact IconGD Consulting for customized training on best practices for corporate travel. This is often an overlooked and unvalued for the majority of corporate employees.
