GUEST BLOG: Are your business travellers savvy?

With more than 11 million internet-enabled devices given as gifts for Christmas  the UK Government has launched a new campaign highlighting the lapse security precautions taken by ourselves and as businesses whilst online. Have you ever thought how cautious you are with your own personal and business details? Do you have responsibility for your travellers and their online security?

As Managing Director of a technology company I can see that the internet has radically changed the way we work and socialise. It has created a wealth of opportunities, but with these opportunities there are also threats.  Travel Managers’ when creating their travel policies need to ensure that they are complied with in order to make savings but there is also a trend for travel managers to allow more autonomy for their travellers which could mean access to booking and travel aps etc. online. With that there is a risk factor and often travel programmes and risk management go hand in hand.

Figures from the government’s National Cyber Security Consumer Tracker found:

-only 44% always install internet security software on new equipment

-only 37% download updates and patches for personal computers when prompted

- less than a third (30%) habitually use complex passwords to protect online accounts

-57% do not always check websites are secure before making

- Almost a third (32%) of those who admit to not installing security software on internet devices blame a lack of understanding.

If your policies are about enabling your travellers to do more there are also question to be raised about are they safe? Is your business data safe?

The Governments ‘Cyber Streetwise’ campaign comes complete with its own website featuring ‘Cyber Street’ which aims to change the way online safety is viewed with resources, hints and tips to ensure people are protecting themselves properly online. Though to ensure that you keep your own personal and business details safe the main resource you can use is your own common sense, would you buy a £1000 laptop from a dodgy market stall? Allowing travellers devices and more autonomy is great but do we really understand all the risks and are we preventing them?  

This blog was written by Mark Pattman, managing director of Roaming Expert who are exhibiting at the Business Travel Show.