Information Security / Protect Your Information and IdentityStay Secure During Travel
Information Security
/ Protect Your Information and Identity
Digital espionage is a growing concern and researchers are often the target. The goal isn't always the data you have on you at the time, but also what you may have access to when you return.
Regardless of your destination, traveling with a mobile device carries a risk to information stored on or accessible from laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones. Outside of the University network, risks to sensitive data continue from other areas besides physical loss. Therefore, it is important to:
- Only travel with what you need
- Always connect via the Northwestern University VPN for a secure connection
- Back up your data and store it on a University server accessed through a secure VPN or a cloud service such as Microsoft OneDrive, SharePoint, or GoogleDocs instead of a local drive
- Remove unnecessary confidential information
- Set secure passwords
- Encrypt your device*
- Install antivirus software*
- Run all updates to systems and applications
- Enable firewalls, screen locks, timeout functions, and enable remote lock
See the following tips for Staying Secure During Travel.