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Travel Safely - Laptops and other devices
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- Service Category: Security
- Owner Team: IT Security
-
Service:IT Security Outreach and Training
What you need to know
- UC is a global organization, so employees often travel domestically and abroad.
- UCOP has created the UCGO site to:
- Help facilitate travel
- Provide health and safety guidance and other critical resources during employee travel
UCSF recommended guidelines for employees who travel
These travel guidelines apply to (1) all UCSF employees and affiliates and (2) their UCSF-owned or personal devices that are used for UCSF business.
Before you leave
1. Install the UCSF security suite on your computers and laptops..
3. For UCSF-owned devices, install CrashPlan.
- This automated data backup ensures that you never lose your work.
4. Connect your mobile devices and tablets to Intune, which will make sure they are encrypted.
5. Understand and adhere to the UCSF Minimum Security Standards.
6. Consider "sanitizing" your device(s). To do this:
- Work with the UCSF Service Desk to make sure you are taking a clean machine or an appropriate loaner and that you have the tools you need to connect to the Internet.
- Back up and reset the device before you leave.
- To back up data that is not backed up with CrashPlan, use a cloud service or an encrypted USB drive.
- Restore the device from backup when you return.
In transit
1. Keep your devices with you at all times while traveling.
- Do not put devices into checked baggage.
2. Internet connectivity:
- For internet access abroad, consider spending the extra money to get:
- A data plan with a cellular carrier
- A dedicated cellular hotspot
- A SIM card for your phone.
- A cellular Internet connection is much safer than Wi-Fi.
- Use the FREE UCSF Pulse VPN for all Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Do not use "free Wi-Fi" internet hotspots.
- That said, if you find you must use a hotspot, use one that provides a unique username and password to connect.
- Remember: If everyone has the same password to connect, then any of them can see your traffic.
- Remember: If everyone has the same password to connect, then any of them can see your traffic.
- That said, if you find you must use a hotspot, use one that provides a unique username and password to connect.
- Watch out for imposter Wi-Fi names and do not click on them.
- They are designed to fool you into clicking on them, which exposes your information to theft.
- They are designed to fool you into clicking on them, which exposes your information to theft.
- Imposter Wi-Fi names can appear even at hotels. For example:
- A hotel's legitimate wifi is called “HotelWi-Fi,” and a hotspot called “Hotel-Wi-Fi” is also offered.
- The minor difference of an added hyphen can take you into a malicious hotspot.
- A hotel's legitimate wifi is called “HotelWi-Fi,” and a hotspot called “Hotel-Wi-Fi” is also offered.
While you're away
1. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
2. Do not log in to UCSF or personal resources from unknown computers.
- Consider any untrusted computer’s communication as compromised, even if the connection or computer is encrypted.
3. Never leave a laptop or mobile device in your car or hotel room. If you absolutely cannot take your device with you, always secure it in the safe in your room or the hotel's safe.
4. Turn off your Wi-Fi when not in use.
When you return
1. Reset the passwords for any and all accounts you accessed while abroad.
2. Restore your device if you previously "sanitized" it.
3. Keep an eye on your accounts for suspicious activity that may be related to your travels.