Field Guide · Devices & data security

Keeping Data Safe on the Road

By Rachel Julian, Editor-in-Chief · July 21, 2026 · 4 min read

A work trip is when company data is most exposed — public wifi, lost laptops, shoulder surfers. The habits are simple and they matter. Here’s the plain version.

Direct answer: The road is where company data leaks — open networks, unattended laptops, over-the-shoulder screens. The protections are simple and worth the discipline. Follow your company’s IT policy over any general advice here.

The road is where company data leaks — open networks, unattended laptops, over-the-shoulder screens. The protections are simple and worth the discipline. Follow your company’s IT policy over any general advice here.

Do I need a VPN for work travel?

On public wifi, yes — a VPN encrypts your connection so airport and hotel networks can’t snoop on it. Most companies provide one and require it; use it, and follow your IT team’s guidance on which.

How do I keep my laptop safe while traveling?

Never leave it unattended, use the in-room safe or keep it on you, enable full-disk encryption and a strong password, and use a privacy screen in public. A laptop is a data breach with a handle — treat it like one.

How do I protect company data on a trip?

Use the VPN on any public network, keep devices locked and encrypted, avoid public USB charging ports (use your own charger or battery), watch for shoulder surfers on planes, and follow your company’s IT policy. The basics prevent most incidents.

Should I bring my work laptop or a travel one?

Follow your company’s policy — some issue locked-down travel laptops for higher-risk destinations specifically to limit exposure. If yours does, use it; if not, harden the machine you bring and carry only the data you actually need.

What do I do if my work laptop is stolen?

Report it immediately to your IT/security team and your manager — they can remotely lock or wipe it — then file a police report for the insurance and expense claim. Speed limits the damage, and a locked, encrypted machine is far less of a crisis.

How do I back up my files before a trip?

Sync to your company’s cloud before you leave so nothing lives only on the device you’re carrying. Then a lost or stolen laptop is an inconvenience, not a disaster. Make it part of your pre-trip routine.

More answers for the road in the Field Guide.

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The Field Guide is The Sales Traveler’s own editorial — experienced-traveler judgment, on the traveler’s side. Where an answer touches a rule or number (policy, tax, security), confirm it with the primary source; we don’t invent specifics. Independent and reader-funded; no paid placements.