A practical pre-travel IT checklist for Australian business travellers - covering VPN, backups, MFA, device encryption, and how to stay secure on public networks.
Business travel exposes your devices and data to risks that simply do not exist in the office. Public Wi-Fi, unfamiliar networks, different regulatory environments, and the higher likelihood of theft or loss all combine to make travel a meaningful security event - one that many people treat as routine without adequate preparation.
Here are eight technical checks to complete before your next business trip.
1. Verify Your VPN Is Configured and Working
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic on untrusted networks, preventing eavesdropping on public Wi-Fi at hotels, airports, and cafes. Before you travel, connect to your business VPN and confirm it is working correctly. Test it on your laptop and your mobile device. Confirm that your VPN provider operates servers in the regions you are visiting, and understand any country-specific restrictions - some countries block or restrict VPN use, which is worth knowing in advance.
If your business does not have a VPN in place, this is the single most important gap to close before staff travel for work.
2. Back Up Everything Before You Leave
Devices get lost, stolen, damaged, or confiscated at borders. Back up your laptop and any work content on your phone before departing. Confirm the backup is complete and retrievable - not just that the backup software ran, but that you can actually access the files. Cloud sync is useful but is not a substitute for a full backup, particularly if your cloud content includes large files that may not have finished syncing.
3. Confirm Full-Disk Encryption Is Enabled
If your laptop is lost or stolen, full-disk encryption ensures the data on it cannot be read without your credentials. On Windows, this means BitLocker; on Mac, it means FileVault. Both should be enabled on any device used for business. Verify the status before you travel - do not assume it is on because it was configured at setup. Also confirm your login PIN or password is strong; encryption is only as good as the password protecting it.
4. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication on Critical Accounts
If MFA is not already enforced on your email, cloud storage, and business applications, enable it before you travel. Travel increases the likelihood of credential compromise - phishing attempts on tired travellers, unsecured connections, and the simple distraction of being in an unfamiliar environment. MFA means that even if a password is stolen, the attacker cannot access your accounts without the second factor.
Use an authenticator app rather than SMS-based MFA where possible, as SIM swapping is a known attack vector.
5. Update All Software and Operating Systems
Pending operating system updates and application patches often contain security fixes. Do not travel with a device running outdated software. Run Windows Update or macOS Software Update the day before you leave, update your applications, and ensure your endpoint security software has the latest definitions. Travelling with an unpatched device in high-risk environments is avoidable.
6. Remove Unnecessary Data From Your Device
Border officials in some countries have the legal authority to inspect devices, and theft is always a possibility. Before international travel, review what data is stored locally on your device. Remove sensitive client files, confidential business data, and anything you do not actively need for the trip. Store it in encrypted cloud storage and access it remotely if needed. The less sensitive data sitting locally, the lower the impact of a loss or inspection.
7. Prepare for Loss of Access to Accounts
MFA tied to a phone number becomes a problem if you are using a different SIM overseas, or if your phone is lost. Before travel, set up backup authentication methods - recovery codes, an authenticator app on a secondary device, or backup email addresses. Confirm these are working before you leave. Being locked out of your Microsoft 365 or banking account while overseas is a serious operational problem.
8. Know Your IT Support Contact Procedure
If something goes wrong - your device is stolen, you are locked out of an account, or you suspect a compromise - know exactly who to call and how. Your IT provider should have an out-of-hours contact number for urgent incidents. Make sure that number is stored somewhere you can access without your laptop, such as in your phone contacts or written down. Knowing the process in advance means you can respond quickly rather than spending critical time trying to figure out who to contact.
Travel Smart, Not Just Light
Most business travellers are thorough about packing the right adapters and confirming their hotel bookings. Applying the same diligence to their device security takes one to two hours and dramatically reduces the risk of a costly incident abroad.
If you want help building a pre-travel security checklist for your team, or if you need a VPN or endpoint management solution in place before your next trip, contact CX IT Services and we will get you sorted.
