Using smartphones, laptops and tablets eases and hastens the transportation and exchange of data. Among the information registered on these device, some can be highly sensitive, be they for ourselves or for the firm we belong to. Their loss, their seizure or their theft can have major consequences on our activities. Thus, we must protect them from the risks and threats which are posed to them, especially when we travel abroad.
The French National Agency for Cybersecurity (Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information) has issued a guide which presents simple rules to reduce these risks and threats, so as to help the travellers protect their sensitive data as they ought to.
Before going on mission
→ read the security measures prepared by your organism
→ take notice of the local laws
→ use specific devices dedicated to the mission, which do not contain other data than what you need for the mission
→ save the data you take with you and keep the backup in a secure place, so that you are sure to find them when you are back
→ if possible, do not transport sensitive data with you, but recover them from where you are (e.g. through a dedicated email box which can carry encrypted documents)
→ use a screen protective filter
→ put a specific sign on your devices (such as a coloured sticker) so as to be sure they have not been exchanged
During the mission
→ keep your devices and documents with you
→ use strong passwords to protect the access to your devices
→ use an encryption software and never give sensitive information by phone
→ remember to erase the phone calls and navigation history
→ if your devices are inspected or seized by the authorities, inform immediately your organism
→ if a device or some data are lost or robbed, inform immediately your organism
→ do not use the devices which are offered to you (e.g. USB sticks), they can carry malwares
→ do not connect your devices to computers or peripherals which are not trustworthy
→ do not recharge your devices on self-service power supplies
Before your return
→ transfer your data
→ erase your phone call and navigation history
After your mission
→ change all your passwords, which may have been intercepted without your knowledge
→ have your devices analysed
Photos and illustrations: Freepik