Travel with Electronics: Key Considerations

Prioritize Security: When travelling abroad, ensure the security of your electronic devices and data. Take extra care to protect personal, sensitive, and confidential UBC information.

Before Your Travel

Laptop

• If you need a laptop, contact your local IT Help Desk about borrowing a loaner device.
• These can be preloaded with the required software and checked for security upon your return.

Smartphone

• Check with your local IT Help Desk whether a loaner phone is available
• Use a strong PIN or passcode.
• Uninstall or log out of apps containing UBC information.
• Consider removing personal apps and payment tools.

All Devices

• Bookmark UBC web apps (FASmail, MS Teams, OneDrive, Zoom) for easier access.
• Ensure you have up-to-date software and have installed available security updates.
• Remove sensitive information and back up important data to secure cloud storage.
• Disable biometric login and use a passcode instead.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).

While Travelling

• Switch devices to airplane mode before reaching border security checkpoints.
• If your device is subject to search, input your own password if asked to do so by border services. You should change your password as soon as possible and immediately report this to security@ubc.ca.
• Avoid public or hotel Wi-Fi; connect through UBC VPN for secure access.
• Keep devices in sight and physically secure when not in use.
• Use browser-based versions of applications containing sensitive data, and always log out after use.
• Report any suspected security incidents during your trip to UBC Cybersecurity immediately by emailing security@ubc.ca.

After You Return

• Change all passwords used during your trip.
• Reinstall UBC applications as needed.
• Return any loaner devices and report any concerns about the device.

Further Technology Guidance

Go Further...

UBC Resources

• International Travel with Electronics
• Travel: All Destinations [printout]
• Travel: Hong Kong and China [printout]
• Information Security Standard U6 – Working Remotely
• International travel resources (SRS)
• Security Considerations for International Travel with Mobile Devices (CIO)

External Resources

• Travel advice and advisories by destination
• CAUT travel advisory
• Device security for travel and telework abroad
• Cybersecurity while travelling
• Remaining cyber safe while travelling: security recommendations
• Mobile devices and business travellers