Prepare Your Employees for The Risky Business of Travel

Sending employees to foreign countries on behalf of business ca result in lucrative outcomes and new exciting experiences for the traveler. But companies must properly prepare employees so that they can best protect themselves and the company's property information.

Best practices include using vetted travel agencies to make all travel arrangements and keep the company informed of them; identifying secure ground transport; training employees on maintaining security awareness when traveling; and establishing a travel security Web site that includes corporate emergency contacts, travel policies specific to each nation, and education and awareness material, such as what to expect once the employee is at destination and protocols and guidelines to follow if an incident occurs.

The information that an employee may be carrying on his or her personal devices must be protected. Prior to travel, employees should comply with a company policy to lock down their electronic items, their cell phones, their Wi-Fi ports, and their Bluetooth as they move through airports so tjhat no one can pick up their information. Everything should be PIN or password protected and encrypted.

ALWAYS remember that travel security planning is critical, but even companies that think they've taken care of it may not be addressing it properly. Besides, one of the key things that I see as lacking within the private sector is true planning within an organization. So, always remember to plan adequately and search Web sites about the areas you are going,, check the U.S. Department of State web site and look up the country and cities you are going to visit, and make sure to learn the local issues, safety, policies, culture etc etc; and not only about restaurants and touristic areas. Make sure to learn about safety, crime etc etc.

Upon arrival, make sure to identify a safe, licensed method of airport transport and of transit around the locale. In some countries, there have been cases when criminal gangs pose themselves as cab drivers to pick up passengers and drive them to a secure location to rob them of their money, credit cards, and other valuables.

Looking for Lodging and accommodations, work with vetted travel agencies toward ensuring that lodging accommodations are selected not only with an eye toward price but also an eye toward security. Upon arrival at the hotel, travelers should request a room below the 8th floor, because ladders only reach that high. Travelers should also make sure that the smoke detectors in the room work properly, and walk the emergency exit routes down stairwells and out of the building to make sure that clear paths exist. Travelers should also check in with the embassy or consulate and register their presence in the country. In their day-to-day activities travelers should remain as anonymous as possible and remain unpredictable in their movements. NOW HAVE A GREAT TRIP AND ENJOY IT!!!