Data and Travelling

This module explains the importance of taking appropriate steps to ensure your data is safe when travelling within campus, interstate or overseas.

Outside lab and its relatively secure IT infrastructure, data and hardware are vulnerable to dangers such as hacking and theft. However, no matter what the cyber threat vector is, the first step towards the elimination/mitigation of the risk is encryption.

1. Laptops and other devices are high-value items – make sure whatever is on them is replaceable. A tracing app capable of remotely wiping a lost laptop or phone can ensure that data are not compromised even if the hardware is taken. E.g., Apple’s Find My iPhone.

2. Users can refrain from carrying data physically at all. The data can be archived in cloud services such as Dropbox or Google Drive and accessed from the researcher’s destination. However, users should also encrypt files before uploading them in case the servers are hacked, or their account password is compromised.

3. Use a VPN – allows researchers to establish a secure network communication over an otherwise insecure network.

4. Encryption – this essentially protects information by converting it to unreadable code that can only be deciphered by authorised individuals. If your device is stolen, this can be used as an extra means of protection as it will make it more difficult for the criminal to access your data. Turn off automatic Wireless Connections – this will stop your laptop, phone or other devices from connecting to Wi-Fi automatically, without your knowledge and prevent cybercriminals from digitally pickpocketing your data and personal information.

5. Updates on laptops and other devices assist in patching security flaws and loopholes for criminals to access your data.

6. Never Use Public Wireless Connection (Wi-Fi) – Anyone can access public free Wi-Fi easily, especially if it is not password protected. Using public Wi-Fi can give criminals access to your data.

   1. If you must connect to a public Wi-Fi network, never use personally identifiable information while connected to the public network.

      1. Think about it this way: if you would not tell a stranger this information (banking information, address, phone number etc.), you should not be entering it on a public Wi-Fi network. A Public Wi-Fi network is full of strangers; therefore, it is safe to assume that any information you access/enter on a public network can be accessed by anyone.