Traveling for business can be both exciting and stressful. While employees get the opportunity to visit new places, meet new people, and close important deals, they also face a host of challenges that can put their safety at risk.
From lost luggage to cyber attacks, there are numerous risks that business travelers must navigate while on the road. In this blog post, we’ll explore the 6 best ways to protect business travelers so you can ensure your team stays safe and secure no matter where their travels take them.
Get travel insurance
Travel insurance can be a lifesaver for business travelers. Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, unexpected events like lost luggage or trip cancellations can quickly derail your plans and cost your company significant amounts of money.
That’s where travel insurance comes in – it provides coverage for a range of unforeseen circumstances that could otherwise leave you stranded.
When purchasing travel insurance, it’s important to read the policy carefully to ensure that you understand exactly what is covered and what isn’t. Some policies may include medical coverage, while others may only cover trip cancellations or delays.
It’s also important to consider the deductible amount – the higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be, but also the more out-of-pocket expenses you’ll have to pay if something goes wrong.
While some companies offer their employees travel insurance as part of their benefits package, others may require employees to purchase it on their own.
Regardless of who foots the bill for travel insurance, having this type of coverage can provide peace of mind and help protect against unexpected costs when traveling for business purposes.
Get a travel credit card
One of the best ways to protect business travelers is by getting a travel credit card. This type of credit card offers exclusive benefits that can come in handy while traveling for work purposes.
First and foremost, travel credit cards often offer rewards points or miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. These points or miles can then be redeemed towards future flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and more. In addition to earning rewards, many travel credit cards also offer perks such as complimentary checked bags and airport lounge access.
Another benefit of using a travel credit card while traveling for business is the added security it provides. Some travel credit cards come with features like fraud protection and zero liability policies that can help safeguard against unauthorized charges.
Some travel credit cards even offer insurance coverage for things like trip cancellations or interruptions, lost luggage, rental car damage waiver, and emergency medical assistance – all valuable protections when away from home on a work trip.
In summary, getting a travel credit card is an excellent way to not only earn rewards but also provide added security and insurance coverage while traveling for business purposes.
Use a VPN
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of the best ways to protect business travelers. When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, you are exposing your personal and work-related data to potential hackers. With a VPN, all internet traffic between your device and the VPN server is encrypted, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to intercept.
VPNs also allow you to access geo-restricted content while traveling abroad. For example, if you’re on a business trip in China where many websites and services are blocked by the Great Firewall, using a VPN can help bypass these restrictions.
When choosing a VPN provider, look for those that offer strong encryption protocols such as OpenVPN or IKEv2/IPSec. It’s also important to choose one with servers in multiple locations so that you can find fast connections no matter where you are.
While using a free VPN may seem like an attractive option, be aware that some providers have been known to log user data or inject ads into web pages. For optimal security and privacy protection when traveling for business purposes, investing in a reputable paid VPN service is recommended.
Use secure websites
When traveling for business, it’s crucial to use secure websites when accessing important information or making transactions. This means using encrypted connections and avoiding unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
One way to ensure a website is secure is by checking the URL. If it begins with “https” rather than “http,” it indicates that the site uses SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption to protect data in transit.
Another tool you can use is a browser extension that verifies website security. These extensions will typically display an icon next to the URL indicating whether or not the site is safe.
If you’re unsure about a particular website’s security, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and avoid entering sensitive information altogether. When in doubt, contact your company’s IT department for guidance on how best to proceed.
Remember: taking precautions such as using secure websites can go a long way in protecting yourself and your company from cyber threats while on business trips.
Use two-factor authentication
Using two-factor authentication is an essential way to protect your business travelers. This security measure adds another layer of protection to their accounts, making it more challenging for hackers or cybercriminals to access sensitive information.
Two-factor authentication requires the traveler to provide not only a password but also a second form of identification, such as a fingerprint or code sent via text message. By requiring this extra step, businesses can limit the risk of unauthorized access and minimize potential damage if an account is compromised.
This type of authentication is becoming increasingly popular among online platforms and services. Many social media sites, email providers, and financial institutions now offer two-factor authentication options for their users.
It’s crucial for businesses to encourage their employees always to use two-factor authentication when available. With so many people working remotely and using mobile devices while traveling, having this added security measure in place can prevent data breaches and other cybersecurity incidents that could be costly both financially and reputationally.
While no method can provide 100% foolproof protection against cyber threats, using two-factor authentications significantly reduces risks associated with hacking attempts on personal/business accounts.
Be aware of your surroundings
One of the most important things that business travelers can do to protect themselves is to be aware of their surroundings. This means paying attention to what’s going on around you and being mindful of any potential dangers or risks.
When traveling for business, it can be easy to get caught up in your work and lose track of your surroundings. However, this can put you at risk for theft, scams, and other dangerous situations.
To avoid these risks, take some time before you travel to research the area where you’ll be staying and working. Look up crime statistics and common scams so that you know what to watch out for.
Once you arrive at your destination, pay attention to your surroundings at all times. Keep an eye out for anything unusual or suspicious, such as people following you or watching your movements.
If possible, try not to travel alone after dark or in unfamiliar areas. Stick with a group if possible or arrange for a trusted local guide who can help keep you safe while exploring new places.
By being aware of your surroundings and taking steps to stay safe while traveling for business, you can help ensure that your trip is productive and enjoyable without putting yourself at unnecessary risk.
Conclusion
In to
ay’s world, business travel has become a necessity for many companies. However, with the rise of cybercrime and other security threats, it’s important to take steps to protect your employees while they’re on the go.
The six tips we’ve outlined here – getting travel insurance, using a travel credit card, using a VPN and secure websites, enabling two-factor authentication when possible and being aware of surroundings – can help keep your team safe and secure during their travels.
By taking the time to implement these measures before sending employees out on business trips, you demonstrate that you value their safety as much as you do their work.
And by doing so, not only will you be protecting them from potential harm or loss but also ensuring that they can focus solely on achieving company objectives without any added stress or concern about personal safety.
So next time your team is traveling for business purposes make sure to follow these tips in order to best prepare them for any unexpected situations they may encounter. With careful planning and attention given towards the well-being of those representing your company outside its walls success is just one flight away!
