Whether travelling is a requirement of your current Camosun appointment or if you plan on catching up on work emails during a long layover, you know work doesn’t stop just because you’re away from the office.
What you may not know however, is that cyber-based threats can significantly increase when you’re travelling, and devices you bring along during your trip can easily be compromised or stolen.
So before you embark on your trip, be sure to use these 3 simple tips to stay Cyber Safe when you travel!
1. Ensure your devices are encrypted
One of the most effective ways to keep your data secure while travelling (and at all times) is to ensure that your devices are encrypted. Encryption is the process of scrambling information, making it unreadable in order to protect it from unauthorized access. When information is encrypted, you need a password to make it readable again.
Did you know that if you are using a Camosun-supplied laptop, encryption is enabled by default?
If you are using your own personal device to access Camosun electronic information, then you should ensure the device is encrypted. See below for some tips on how to encrypt specific devices.
How to encrypt a Windows Computer?
How to encrypt a Mac Computer?
How to encrypt an iPhone? (iPhones are automatically encrypted when you set a passcode)
How to encrypt an Andoird device? (Android devices are automatically encrypted when you set a passcode)
2. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) Connection
It’s a terrific convenience to be able to connect a device to the Internet using free wireless access at coffee shops, in hotels or at airports during your travels. Keep in mind, however, that these highly unsecure networks are accessible to anyone and everyone, meaning they are incredibly enticing to criminals who are intent on stealing identities and login credentials. Always remember that any information that you send over an unknown network could be intercepted. Never transmit information that you wouldn’t want disclosed to an undesired or unauthorized party.
Camosun Information Technology Services offers Cisco AnyConnect, a free VPN service for faculty and staff.
VPN encrypts your data, even before your Internet Service Provider or the unsecure WiFi provider sees it. This data then goes to the VPN, and from the VPN server at Camosun to your online destination — anything from your Camosun email to your bank website to a search engine. The online site sees your data as coming from Camosun, and not from your computer and your actual location. We recommend that all faculty, and staff use Camosun VPN anytime they are off-campus and when using non-secure wireless access points.
How to setup and access the Camosun VPN?*
*Note: The VPN is also available on iPhones and Android devices.
3. Be mindful of scam and phishing attempts
Phishing attempts will persist regardless of geographic location. While traveling, only trust expected communications from whatever organization you are using to travel with. Use a high degree of skepticism when reading messages from these travel partners. Click here to learn more about phishing in general.
For more information about staying safe abroad, see the below link to the guidelines from the Canadian Government:
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/cyber-safe