Business travel security tips for digital nomads

Millions of people work remotely, often thousands of miles away from head offices. Other workers regularly travel the globe like digital nomads. Remote work like that is liberating and convenient, but can also be risky—especially when it comes to business travel security.

Work devices constantly store and transmit confidential data. Laptops might contain project accounts or reports on corporate strategy. Some may even hold client data or provide access to central customer databases.

Cybersecurity should be a top priority for modern professionals, especially remote workers managing sensitive data. This article will examine core risks associated with business travel safety and suggest simple ways to secure data and devices.

What are the significant risks when working remotely?

Here are the most common risks associated with business travel and remote work:

1. Public Wi-Fi

Most travelers need to use public Wi-Fi from time to time. Whether writing a quick email in a hotel room or checking business news at the airport, public networks are often the only option. However, public Wi-Fi is a significant source of cyber-attacks.

Some businesses operate unencrypted Wi-Fi networks. Others rely on WPA2 encryption—a protocol with known security flaws. Attackers can hijack routers and expose every network user to a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) cyber-attack. Never use public Wi-Fi without proper protection, such as a business VPN.

2. Device theft

In the USA, thieves steal a laptop roughly every 53 seconds. About 640,000 laptops are lost in US airports alone. Wherever you go on a business trip, physical device theft is a critical security threat.

Always know where your laptop is, and avoid leaving mobile devices unattended. Travelers can also take security measures to deal with thefts when they occur.

For instance, tracking apps provide accurate location information if the worst happens. They can also remotely wipe confidential data, making it useless for data thieves.

3. Compliance

Companies can lose control of how employees use data when they leave office environments. Employees abroad can also enter different data jurisdictions with new privacy requirements—an often overlooked aspect of corporate travel safety. Both scenarios represent compliance risks.

For example, the European Union’s GDPR rules restrict how workers use sensitive data such as personal information. They also require robust data leak protection and impose hefty fines for compliance breaches.

4. Poor email security

Remote workers need to stay in touch with central offices and clients. However, staying in touch often entails large volumes of email traffic, which creates new security risks.

Cyber-attackers can mount phishing attacks by posing as clients or co-workers. With little specific knowledge about their targets, attackers can easily persuade poorly trained remote workers to take risky actions.

It’s also possible to intercept or hijack email accounts without their owners’ knowledge. Strong email security and employee training are essential for corporate travel security.

5. Password security

Nomadic workers handle many login details for critical SaaS apps, email accounts, and data resources. Workers often rely on paper records and may repeat passwords across multiple platforms. Both practices represent significant security risks.

Create robust password security policies for business travelers and remote workers. MFA, strong passwords, and regular password changes are equally important.

Consider using a password manager. NordLayer offers a bundle deal with NordPass, allowing you to secure your network and manage passwords effectively.

6. File sharing

Travelers must regularly share sensitive information like presentation documents, accounts data, or product prototypes. But file-sharing can also be a significant security risk.

Third-party cloud-based sharing services may lack encryption. This may expose data in transit, while employees may also fail to check the sharing request source.

Minimize file-sharing risks by choosing third-party providers with a strong risk management approach. Encrypted cloud storage helps reduce the chances of data exposure.

How can you protect your device?

Wherever your business trip takes you, following device protection best practices is essential. Here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind:

• Stay close to your device. A few moments away from your device is enough time for thieves to strike, especially in public spaces like coffee shops.
• Lock your screen if you leave your laptop unattended. Windows and Linux feature lock screens as standard. These features freeze all on-screen operations until you supply authentication information.
• Use strong passwords. Mix numbers, symbols, and letters; never use the same passwords for different logins. A password manager is often a sound investment if remembering passwords is hard.
• Use biometric authentication. Biometric identification adds a layer of assurance. Fingerprint ID, eye scanning, or Face ID tools are all available.
• Purchase a secure carry bag. Carrying laptops is essential but can also be a security risk. Thieves can slash poorly made bags, giving them access to the contents. Choose specialist bags with reinforced device compartments. Don’t rely on standard backpacks.

How can you protect your data?

Guarding physical devices is not enough. Nomadic workers must also protect data stored on devices and traffic between devices and the wider world.

Here are some best practices to keep data breach risks low:

• Apply MFA. Multi-factor authentication protects apps and laptops via many different authentication steps. Instead of a single password, users supply swipe cards, security keys, or biometric information.
• Use a business VPN. A VPN encrypts data passing through remote work devices and conceals user IP addresses, making it essential fo business travel safety, making Wi-Fi users less vulnerable. Learn more about NordLayer's Business VPN.
• Enable Download Protection. NordLayer's malware protection feature provides real-time malware detection, scanning files as they're downloaded to prevent malicious content from compromising your device.
• Use email encryption. Use high-grade encrypted email when sending confidential documents. Equip central offices and remote workers with secure clients, and make sure all workers encrypt sensitive messages.
• Prepare for device loss. If a data breach does occur, you need a way to render sensitive data unusable. Data trackers are the best option. These apps track device locations, helping users find stolen laptops; they also enable remote wiping and risk assessment after theft.
• Invest in staff training. Train staff to use VPNs and manage passwords safely. Provide regular training focused on cybersecurity and travel safety guidelines for employees. Build best practices into a remote working security protocol for every traveler.

Cybersecurity tips & checklist for travelers

With security technology constantly developing, every traveler can roam the globe safely. Here are some tips to make the nomadic lifestyle as secure as possible.

Be cautious with social media

We usually don’t think twice about sharing our location with contacts on social media. However, online scammers mine social media for social engineering information, so keep location details private.

Update software regularly

VPNs, antivirus software, and email clients all require updates. Regular updates minimize the risk of exploit kits and neutralize emerging malware threats.

Avoid automatic connectivity

Many devices connect to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi automatically, even if their owners are unaware. Turn location sharing, auto-connections, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth off whenever possible.

Stick to reliable Wi-Fi networks

Checking social media on public Wi-Fi is a big mistake. Minimize your time at internet cafes or hotel networks, and ask network owners about their security policies. If their encryption isn’t strong, stay away.

Lock devices and apps securely

Don’t shy away from solid password security and authentication. It may be time-consuming, but adding extra authentication measures is an effective countermeasure if thieves strike.

Try an enterprise browser

An enterprise browser is a secure, business-focused web browser designed to give companies more control over how employees access the internet—especially while traveling.

NordLayer’s upcoming Enterprise Browser will include strengthened security features tailored to business travelers, such as controlled network access and segmentation. Join the waiting list to stay ahead.

Corporate travel safety: Tips for your next business trip

Cybersecurity is critical, but so is personal safety during business travel. When traveling across borders, follow these corporate travel safety recommendations:

• Avoid drawing attention: Don’t wear branded gear or carry devices that scream “company property.” Blending in helps you avoid being targeting by thieves or social engineers looking for corporate victims.
• Secure your workspace: Whether you’re working in a café or a hotel lobby, keep your screen out of view and your devices within arm’s reach. Use privacy screens and lock your devices when stepping away, even briefly.
• Choose your accommodations wisely: Opt for hotels with a reputation for safety and security. Use safes when available to store backups or sensitive equipment.
• Have emergency contacts ready: Always carry backup batteries, copies of important documents (in encrypted format if digital), and know how to reach your country's embassy or consulate.
• Limit what you carry: Bring only the devices and data you truly need. Fewer assets mean fewer points of failure if something goes wrong.

Planning your next business trip? Start with a travel risk assessment

A comprehensive travel risk assessment helps companies identify and mitigate potential threats before employees depart. Pairing this with a structured risk management framework helps enforce consistent security practices across the organization.

Provide travelers with a checklist, clear emergency contacts, and set expectations around acceptable online behavior and business travel safety protocols.

Which is the best country for business travel?

From a cybersecurity perspective, some countries are safer than others. That’s why NordLayer has created its Global Remote Work Index—a valuable tool for assessing destinations from a safety and security standpoint.

The best countries combine strong governance and infrastructure with a high standard of living. And they aren’t always the ones you‘d first think of.

For example, in terms of cybersecurity alone, Slovakia leads the rankings. Lithuania is second, while Germany comes third. All three take security seriously, responding rapidly when a security breach occurs.

Planning international business travel? Use the GRWI to incorporate corporate travel safety into destination planning and discover the best country for working remotely.

How NordLayer delivers business travel safety

Being mobile shouldn’t come at the cost of security. Whether hopping between airports or settling into a coworking hub, your digital presence needs as much protection as your passport.

NordLayer supports secure, flexible work with trusted tools like its business VPN, Download Protection, and the upcoming Enterprise Browser—designed specifically for safe, seamless access wherever you are.

Features like DNS filtering empower network admins to block malicious websites in real time, helping enforce strong security policies across your entire team, regardless of location.

Bonus tip: Leading a remote or hybrid team? Future-proof your business travel security setup by joining the waitlist for NordLayer’s Enterprise Browser. It’s purpose-built for secure remote access, access control, and granular traffic segmentation—ideal for the modern workforce.

Join the waitlist now.