Travelling safely with a company laptop: the travel checklist

Heading to an EU destination or further afield? Some countries have strict rules around encryption and device scanning. Here's what to watch out for.

Travelling with business equipment comes with extra considerations: border crossings where your device may be scanned, untrusted Wi-Fi networks, and the risk of theft.

Before you leave

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• Take a fresh laptop backup. Confirm disk encryption is enabled (it should always be — just double-check).
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• Confidential client data you don't need on the road: remove it locally and leave it in the cloud.
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• Use a screen privacy filter if you work frequently in airports or hotel lobbies.
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• Make sure your VPN is configured and tested.
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• For high-risk destinations: consider a travel device ("burner laptop") with a minimal access configuration.
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During the trip

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• Public Wi-Fi: use a VPN or tether via your mobile phone.
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• Never leave your laptop unattended — including in a hotel room safe (they're not always as secure as they sound).
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• Lock your screen during meeting breaks.
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• USB ports: don't plug in unknown USB devices (not even "just for a presentation").
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Border crossings

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• Some countries (USA, Russia, China) can request that you unlock your device. Know your company policy.
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• For high-risk countries: a cleaned burner laptop with no company data is the safer option.
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• Don't carry sensitive client data that isn't strictly necessary for the trip.
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In case of loss or theft

Trigger your response procedure immediately. When you're travelling, easy physical access to IT support is off the table — remote wipe is your lifeline.

See also: security pillar.