UM Research Security International Travel Guidelines

UM personnel’s and student’s safety and security while traveling internationally are of vital importance. The following are advised actions and awareness concepts for international travelers:

• Devices:
  • Encrypt and password protect your devices.
  • Only take necessary information on your device.
  • Remove automatic log-in information.
  • Log out of any password management software and password protected websites.
  • Recognize that your personal belongings may be searched several times and access to your devices might be requested.
  • Disable automatic connection to available wi-fi.
  • Do not allow any external devices to be plugged into your computer; be wary of USB or other promotional “gifts” that need to be plugged in to your computer.
  • If your devices start working very slowly or unusually, stop using them and seek assistance from the HelpDesk upon return.
• Technology and Communication:
  • Assume that anything you do on any device, particularly over the Internet, will be intercepted. Encrypted data may be decrypted in some cases.
  • Never use shared computers in public areas, hotel business centers, or cyber cafes, and never use devices belonging to other travelers, colleagues, or friends.
  • Do not use public USB charging stations for your devices to avoid “juice jacking.” Carry and use your own USB cables and charging plugs 
• Research Information:
  • Don’t share unpublished research when receiving inquiries; information about failures in research can be as valuable as successes.
  • Do not take with or virtually access any unpublished research (sponsored or internal) data on your electronic devices.
  • Do not speak about, or comment on, the status of research and development being conducted by others in your department. Defer questions to those researchers directly.
• Personal Well-Being:
  • Enroll in the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). It provides travel advisories on safety conditions and sends traveler trip information to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, allowing the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to assist in the event of an emergency or disaster.
  • Obtain the phone number and address of US Embassy and Consulate for country(s) you plan to visit.
  • Avoid political conversations, or offering political opinions, while in foreign countries.
  • Do not take any provocative or suggestive literature with you to other countries.
  • Do not take items or substances that are against the law to possess in the through-transit and destination countries.
• Upon Travel Completion:
  • Report any unusual personal, telephonic, or internet contacts to the UM Research Security office (umresearchsecurity@olemiss.edu).
  • Change any and all passwords you may have used abroad.
  • Consider requesting that HelpDesk examine your device for the presence of malicious software.

If you have any questions or concerns before, during, or after the trip contact the Director of Research Security via umresearchsecurity@olemiss.edu.

More useful travel security hints can be found at https://www.dni.gov/index.php/ncsc-how-we-work/ncsc-know-the-risk-raise-your-shield/ncsc-travel-tips.