When travelling abroad, pay extra attention to IT security. When you travel as part of your job, you are also taking your work out of its usual setting. At the hotel, at the airport, at the conference or at a collaboration partner’s office, you are beyond many of the security measures that protect you, your equipment and SDU’s data at home. Therefore, you are responsible for security to a much greater extent.
IT security before travelling
Test all your electronic devices for technical issues before you leave.
Learn about the latest IT security principles, including how to avoid phishing, protect your data and use strong passwords.
‘Burner’ equipment is IT equipment that can be left behind or destroyed before or after travelling home. When travelling to countries such as China, Russia and Iran, it is recommended that you only bring temporary computers and phones, as there is a risk of your mobile devices being infected with spyware. You can borrow both a phone and a PC from the Service Desk. Discuss with Service Desk what is the right solution for you.
It is recommended that you bring only the documents you need to access during your trip.
Pay extra attention to IT security before travelling. Travelling abroad comes with extra risks. It is a good idea to consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for more information about your destination (in Danish).
IT security while travelling
Keep an eye on your electronic devices when using them in public, and do not leave them unattended.
Do not use publicly available USB chargers. Both the connector and cable can be compromised.
Avoid using private devices to access SDU data when travelling.
Avoid having Bluetooth activated while travelling. This applies to both phones and computers.
Avoid connecting to unsecure or unknown Wi-Fi networks, as they can be vulnerable to hacking and data surveillance. This is especially true for ‘open’ networks in airports and the like.
IT security after travelling
If you have worked on documents, spreadsheets or anything else while travelling that only exists locally on the borrowed device, you should copy it. Contact the Service Desk for advice.
If you have brought your regular work PC to China, for example, and it has not been possible for you to keep an eye on it at all times, e.g. during security checks at the airport, it is recommended that your PC is discarded or at least reinstall the programmes when you return home. Contact the Service Desk for help.
If you have experienced unusual activity or suspected compromised security while travelling, you should inform SDU’s information security manager at ciso-sdu@sdu.dk
As a precautionary measure when returning from countries where extra vigilance is required (Russia, China, Iran), change the passwords for your accounts to prevent unauthorised access.
VPN for your travel
If you are interested in getting a VPN on your devices so that your network activity only goes through SDU's network, you can contact the service desk. This may be relevant if you are traveling to a country where parts of the internet are blacked out. This could be China, or other URIS countries, where parts of the internet cannot be accessed or you may be afraid that someone is "listening in".
Further information
Read more (in Danish) about IT security when travelling at the Centre for Cyber Security here.