In an increasingly interconnected world, many organizations rely on staff to operate internationally. Sometimes, this will expose employees to hostile environments, and employers should take an active role in managing travel-related risk – first and foremost to protect their people, but also to safeguard business operations and assets.
Below is a structured set of recommendations businesses can use to shape travel policies and briefings with special emphasis on employees visiting countries where threat actors may attempt to gather information or exert influence.
1. Pre-Departure: Equip Your Staff to Succeed
- Always Brief Employees Before Travel to High-Risk Locations
When sending employees to countries where there are known threats, particularly places where foreign intelligence services may engage travelers, conduct a formal pre-travel security briefing. This briefing should:
- Reinforce the organization’s duty of care and support
- Provide a tailored threat overview of the destination
- Outline key behavioral precautions (see checklist below)
- Set clear expectations for incident reporting
- Manage Personal Profile
Encourage employees to consider how their nationality, employer, or role might be perceived. Guide them to maintain a low public profile online and on the ground.
- Assess the Environment
Ensure travelers understand the local context – political tensions, criminal activity, surveillance practices, and cultural sensitivities – but also know how to navigate these risks in practice.
- Limit Digital Exposure
Issue travel-specific devices when possible. These should be encrypted, stripped of sensitive data, and configured to minimize risk. Advise staff to use only secure apps and networks.
- Plan for Emergencies
Make sure employees carry contact details for local partners, embassies, and your internal support line. Discuss evacuation plans or medical contingencies if needed.
2. En Route: Keep Exposure Minimal
- Awareness in Public Spaces
Remind staff that airports, taxis, and stations are unpredictable. Encourage awareness of who is listening, following, or loitering nearby.
- Discourage Sensitive Conversation in Transit
Business matters should not be discussed in public, even among colleagues. Train employees to recognize how casual business talk can leak sensitive details.
- Avoid Patterns
Where possible, advise employees to vary their routes and routines. Predictable behavior increases vulnerability.
3. At the Hotel: Assume the Environment Is Not Private
- Secure the Basics
Upon arrival, employees should locate emergency exits, test communication tools, and agree on safe meeting points with colleagues if traveling in a group.
- Protect Information and Equipment
Advise staff to take laptops and documents with them, not to leave them in hotel rooms or safes. Encourage the use of screen filters and physical barriers to reduce visibility.
- Use Trusted Networks Only
Avoid public Wi-Fi entirely. Recommend using 4G/5G mobile networks or pre-configured secure hotspots. Assume hotel networks may be monitored.
4. Solo Activity: Define Boundaries and Check-Ins
- Require Check-In Protocols
Employees going out alone should inform a colleague or security contact. Set expectations for check-in times and methods.
- Discourage Unnecessary Exposure
Ask staff to avoid discussing their employer, job, or affiliations unless required. Steer clear of sensitive sites or high-profile locations.
- Flag Unsolicited Attention
Employees should be cautious of strangers initiating personal or professional contact. These may be benign but could also be probes for further engagement.
5. Incident Response: What to Do If Things Go Wrong
- Encourage Calm and Composure
If approached by authorities or intelligence agents, advise staff to comply with identification checks, avoid political commentary, and document the interaction mentally.
- Prepare for Detention or Threats
Employees should not resist unless absolutely necessary. Instead, focus on safety and later reporting of all events and individuals involved.
- Use the “Run, Hide, Fight” Framework
In the unlikely event of violence, staff should:
- Run– Escape the area immediately if possible
- Hide – Lock or barricade themselves if escape I snot possible
- Fight – As a last resort, defend themselves
6. Post-Travel: Close the Loop
- Conduct a Debrief
Speak to the employee about the trip. Did anything seem off? Were there unexpected conversations, contacts, or changes in plans?
- Sanitize Devices Before Reconnection
Devices used abroad – especially in higher-risk countries – should be inspected before reconnecting to corporate systems.
- Watch for Tail-End Targeting
Employees should report any unexpected outreach after the trip, including social media contact, follow-up messages, or reengagement attempts from people met abroad.
Final Note: Travel Security Is Operational Risk Management
This is not just a matter of personal safety – it is a business imperative. When employees travel, they carry with them access, insight, and relationships. That makes them a target, especially in strategic sectors.
By taking ownership of travel risk – through structured briefings, sound policies, and clear expectations – employers can protect both people and operations.
Let your employees focus on the mission. Your job is to make sure they can do it securely.
Extra: Summer Travel Tips for Personal Trips
As the summer season begins, many employees will take time off to travel privately. While personal travel is outside the employer’s formal duty of care, organizations that operate in security-conscious sectors may still wish to share basic travel advice to help staff stay safe, particularly in unfamiliar or high-risk destinations.
This can be done informally via internal newsletters or as a short reminder at the end of a pre-holiday meeting.
Here are some key points employees can keep in mind for personal travel:
1. Respect the Local Context
Even on holiday, travelers should be aware of local laws, customs, and political sensitivities. Some countries restrict behavior, clothing, or speech in ways that might not be intuitive to a foreign visitor. Always check official travel advisories before departure.
2. Keep a Low Digital Profile
Avoid advertising your travel plans on public social media – before or during the trip. Use caution when posting location-based updates or photos that reveal where you're staying or who you’re traveling with. Criminals and foreign intelligence services increasingly monitor open sources.
3. Be Selective with Devices
Bring only the devices you need. Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi in hotels, cafés, and airports unless you are using a trusted VPN. Keep operating systems and antivirus tools up to date.
4. Stay Alert in Transit
Airports, train stations, and crowded tourist areas are hotspots for theft and opportunistic targeting. Keep valuables secure, remain aware of your surroundings, and don’t leave bags or electronics unattended.
5. Don’t Overshare
Avoid discussing your employer or work-related details with strangers. In some regions, foreign nationals may be approached under false pretenses – e.g. friendly conversation, casual questioning – that later turn out to be intelligence probes.
6. Watch for Unsolicited Attention
If you receive unusual outreach – either in person or online during or after travel – treat it with caution. If you're unsure whether it could be connected to your professional role, flag it to your internal security contact.