Travel Tips
UISO recommends securing your electronic devices and accessing GU via VPN.
***Note: China’s Cybersecurity Law includes a ban on unauthorized VPN services. While Georgetown University does have VPN capabilities for eligible GU travelers, it is advised that use of the GU VPN may be considered a violation of that law.
Effective Practice: Cybersecurity for the International Traveler is provided by the The Research and Education Networks Information Sharing and Analysis Center (REN-ISAC) which serves over 620 member institutions within the higher education and research community by promoting cybersecurity operational protections and response.
At the point of entry and exit, these countries claim a right to search and seize your technology devices:
- No requirement for cause
- No restrictions on handling of data
- No timeline for data destruction
- No promise of secure storage
- Can require you to decrypt or provide keys/passwords
Promptly and calmly comply with any request for search/seizure of your devices. Contact the UIS Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) at CIRT@georgetown.edu when you are able to.
Data Security
Here are guidelines to help you protect your data.
- Only bring the information that you absolutely *need* when traveling
- Store data in GUBox, which is fully encrypted and accessible anywhere
- High Risk data should *not* be stored on any laptop or device
- Encrypt your devices; use different PIN numbers to unlock each device
- Transport your laptop inconspicuously in a padded backpack or messenger bag
- Keep your laptop in fulll view at all times
- Never use public wi-fi; check your settings on all of your devices to ensure they do not connect automatically to available wi-fi networks
- Turn off bluetooth
- Always use Georgetown Virtual Private Network (VPN) to connect to the internet and any Georgetown resources
- Avoid USB charging points, and charge devices using a portable charging pack
- Turn off geolocation services on social media networks when away, and avoid posting photos taken on your travels until you return home
What If My Laptop Gets Stolen?
- Contact the Georgetown University Police Department at 202-687-4343 as well as the Help Desk.
- File a police report in the jurisdiction the laptop was stolen.
- There are programs that will report the location of a stolen laptop. Such programs for portable devices include Find My iPhone and LoJack.