Travel Checklist

Secure Your Devices

briefcaseTravel Checklist

Here are ISG's Ten Travel Tips for your mobile device, especially for those traveling outside of the U.S.

  1. Contact your wireless provider several weeks before you travel to discuss and activate the most cost-effective plan to fit your needs. For Brown devices, contact Telecommunications at 863-2007 or cellular@brown.edu. For non-Brown devices, users can contact their cellular provider directly.

  2. For phones, familiarize yourself with international roaming and data charges. We recommend turning off or setting a limit on cellular data usage for your smartphone to prevent incurring significant fees.

  3. Consider using Google+ Hangouts to bypass the phone. See the About Hangouts site for help on getting started.

  4. When traveling with a laptop, remove all PII from it or encrypt it. If possible, we recommend using a laptop specifically designated for travel with no personal information on it.

  5. Become aware of and comply with all export controls. For example, some countries ban or severely regulate the use of encryption, you should check country-specific information before traveling with an encrypted laptop. See the Symantec Endpoint Encryption FAQ on international traveling restrictions for details.

  6. Set a strong password or passcode for your device. Here are some ideas on how to create a strong and memorable password.

  7. Make sure all operating system and anti-malware software is current. If you haven't installed an anti-malware client for your phone, do so.

  8. Install device finder software, such as Computrace (for laptops) or Lookout (for tablets and phones).

  9. Use VPN to connect to Brown's network when away from it. CIS offeres both a web and client versions. If you haven't used VPN before, test it before leaving.

  10. Make sure you have contact information for your local IT support professional and the Help Desk before you leave (help@brown.edu, 863-4357).

Finally, ISG offers other travel tips on the At Home and Traveling page. Traveling With Your Laptop reinforces the above information and provides a few more details.

Bon voyage!