5 Essential Tips to Lock Down Your Data

Anyone with a credit card number or online access is a target for data thieves. Business travel makes you especially vulnerable to would-be hackers because you’re more likely to be using credit or online access in places where cybercriminals thrive: retail stores, bars, restaurants, and hotels. Those types of businesses were the targets of 78% of all data breaches in 2013, according to the 2013 Trustwave Global Security Report.

Fortunately, you can take action to lock down and protect your data. Follow these essential tips from data security experts:

Tip #1: Travel only with the essentials.

Data protection begins before your trip! Take only the data, ID, and devices you absolutely need, and leave the rest at home. Removable media like discs and thumb drives should be left at home. If possible, use company “loaners” for any devices you can, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones — and limit the data stored on them to only what you absolutely need.

Tip #2: Practice Wi-Fi safety.

Public or “open” Wi-Fi is a digital invitation to data crooks. Never send sensitive data using a public Wi-Fi connection, and if you can, avoid public or multi-user Wi-Fi connections altogether. If possible, use a virtual private network (VPN) or encrypted connection. Never accept a connection from a network you don’t recognize. And don’t forget to turn off the Wi-Fi feature on your devices whenever you aren’t using them.

Tip #3: Ensure your computer is secure.

Securing your computer against cybercriminals is best done by employing a multi-application approach. Shore up your defenses by using a variety of security technologies — such as hardware-based encryption, antivirus programs, malware protection, data protection, and backup software.

Tip #4: Protect your smartphone from unauthorized access.

Once a criminal has gained physical or digital access to your smartphone, the thief can get at your private data quickly. That’s why your first step in smartphone protection should be to use the device’s screen-lock authentication feature. Be sure to set your phone to re-lock after a set period of time.

Many smartphones have lock, find, and wipe features that can either alert you when someone has used a certain number of authentication attempts, and possibly even email you GPS coordinates of the phone’s location or erase all data stored on the device. Another type of device sounds an alarm when your smartphone reaches a certain distance from you.

Tip #5: Be a credit-conscious traveler.

Before your trip, notify your credit card company about your upcoming travel and destination. Use a business credit card with a credit limit that’s close to the amount you expect to spend during your trip. A lower credit limit restricts the damage hackers can cause should your number be compromised. If possible, use a chip-and-pin credit card to increase security for your in-person transactions.

Data thieves can be lurking anywhere, waiting for the opportunity to steal vital information that can cause significant damage — from lost funds to identity theft to corporate data breaches. Using these data security practices can help make you less of a target for cyber criminals, especially when you’re on the road.