While 85% of Australian business travellers report that their organizations implement cyber security measures, only 26% undergo training courses to enhance their cyber security before and during work-related travel, according to recent research.

According to an Opinium survey commissioned by World Travel Protection, which involved 500 Australian business travelers who undertake at least one business trip per year, only 33% avoid using unsecured/public Wi-Fi hotspots and Bluetooth during work-related travel. Furthermore, 15% of business travellers state that their organizations have not instructed them to implement any cybersecurity measures.

Rodger Cook, General Manager of Global Security Services at World Travel Protection, highlights that business travelers are attractive targets for cybercriminals because they often carry sensitive information and frequently work from mobile devices and laptops in public spaces.

Cook emphasizes that businesses should prioritize cyber security measures as a crucial component of their travel safety policies to effectively mitigate associated risks. He says, “The consequences of a cyber attack can be severe on a business, particularly if customer data is compromised”.

Employers commonly mandate various cyber security measures for business travellers, including installing mandatory anti-virus software (43%), setting up two-factor authentication (40%), using a virtual private network (VPN) on mobile devices (29%), and enabling screen lock with auto lock on devices (25%). However, fewer travelers report being required to carry stripped-down laptops (14%) or utilizing biometric security features (17%).

Cook advises that when travelling to destinations requiring mandatory app downloads, it’s advisable to use a device without sensitive information. However, only 10% of respondents report using a different phone, which is then discarded, when travelling for work.

Opinium’s survey, conducted from January 23 to February 2, 2023, involved 500 people who travel for business at least once a year in Australia. The survey is part of a broader global survey covering 2,001 business travelers across Australia, the UK, and North America.

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