Traveling for the Holidays? 7 Steps to Help Keep Your Business Devices Safe

The holiday season is here, and for many small business owners, that means packing bags, heading to the airport, and inevitably checking emails between flights.

But while you are looking forward to a break or visiting family, cybercriminals are gearing up for their busiest season. A 2025 Holiday Ransomware Risk Report found that 52% of ransomware attacks occur during weekends or holidays, when organizations have reduced cybersecurity staffing.

So before you head out, let's make sure your devices are actually locked down. Below are seven practical steps that'll help protect your business data when you're away from the office.

1. Update and Back Up Everything Before You Leave

Outdated software can contain vulnerabilities that hackers love to exploit. Make sure to:

• Update your operating system (Windows, macOS, etc.)
• Install the latest browser updates
• Update all business applications and security software
• Enable automatic updates if you'll be gone for an extended period

Think of updates as patching holes in your digital fence. The fewer gaps you leave, the harder it is for someone to sneak in.

Second, run a full backup. Data loss outcomes disproportionately affect small businesses; 71% of data breaches impact businesses with fewer than 250 employees in 2025. If your device is lost, stolen, or held for ransom while you are away, having a clean, off-site copy of your data means you can quickly restore your operations and keep your business moving.

Pro tip: Apply the 3-2-1 Rule: Keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different media types, with 1 copy stored off-site (like in the cloud).

2. Skip Public WiFi When Possible. Use Your Hotspot, VPN, or Better Yet, Zero Trust

Public WiFi at airports, hotels, and coffee shops might as well have a "Hackers Welcome" sign. These networks are often not encrypted, making it incredibly easy for cybercriminals to snoop on the data passing through these networks or create hotspots that look legitimate but are actually traps. According to a 2023 Forbes Advisor survey, 40% of travelers had their security compromised while using public WiFi.

To help keep your connection secure, follow these options:

• Use Your Hotspot. Skip public WiFi entirely. Use your smartphone's mobile hotspot instead. It's your own private connection that travels with you.
• Use a VPN or Zero-Trust Networking (ZTN). If you must connect to a public network, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a solid fallback as it creates an encrypted tunnel for your data. Ideally, implement Zero-Trust Networking, which means no user or device is trusted by default; every access request is continuously verified based on identity, device posture, and context. Instead of exposing the network, ZTN hides applications and places security controls directly around the data and tools employees access, helping to safeguard sensitive information regardless of location.

3. Avoid Public Charging Stations

We've all been there, your phone's about to die and you spot a USB charging station at the airport. Lifesaver, right? Not so fast. "Juice jacking" is a real threat where cybercriminals tamper with public USB ports to install malware on your device or steal your data. The TSA has even issued warnings about this growing threat.

Pack your own AC power adapter and plug it into a standard wall outlet, or carry a portable power bank so you never have to rely on public ports.

You can also get a USB Data Blocker as a backup measure. Data blockers disable the pins in USB cables that transfer data but still enable charging power to reach your phone, preventing hackers from “juice jacking” your phone.

4. Keep Your Devices Physically Secure

High-tech hacks aren't the only threat. In a 2025 survey from a data-sanitization company, 41% of organizations pointed to “stolen devices or drives with sensitive data” as a cause of data loss. Airport terminals and hotel lobbies are prime hunting grounds for device thieves.

Help protect your hardware with these habits:

• Never leave devices unattended in public - even for "just a second"
• Use hotel safes for devices you're not carrying with you
• Enable a passcode and auto-lock on all devices (and actually use them)
• Turn on "Find My Device" features before you travel

5.Pack Light (Digitally Speaking)

If you don't need access to sensitive customer records or financial files for your trip, don't bring them. Data isn’t just files; it’s a key foundation of operations, and carrying it unnecessarily increases your risk.

Limit the data on your travel devices to only what is essential. If a laptop containing your entire customer database is stolen, the fallout is much worse than if you lose a "clean" laptop used only for email.

Smart data management for travel:

• Remove unnecessary sensitive files from your devices
• Use encrypted cloud access rather than storing everything locally
• If you handle regulated data (HIPAA, PCI-DSS), consider using a dedicated travel device with minimal data

6. Lock Down Access and Authentication

Your password is often the only thing standing between your business data and a cybercriminal. Make it count.

Strengthen your authentication:

• Use strong, unique passphrases for every account (or better yet, use a password manager)
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all business accounts
• Plan ahead for 2FA - download backup codes or ensure you can receive codes while traveling
• Set up biometric authentication (fingerprint, face ID) for an extra layer of security

Also, review and minimize access permissions before you leave. Does that contractor you hired three months ago still have access to your systems? Use the principle of "least privilege”; give people (and yourself on travel devices) only the access they absolutely need.

7. Have a "What If" Plan

Let's say the worst happens; your laptop gets stolen or you click a suspicious link. What do you do?

Create a simple incident response plan:

• Save IT and security contact information (that you can access without your laptop)
• Know how to remotely wipe your devices if they're lost or stolen
• Have a trusted colleague who can handle urgent issues if you're compromised
• Know where to report incidents (your IT team, FBI IC3, your cyber insurance provider)

Enjoy Your Trip, but Stay Vigilant

Cybersecurity is an ongoing journey, not a finish line. By taking these few simple precautions, you can travel with greater confidence knowing you’ve helped strengthen your business’s protection.

Need Help Securing Your Business for the New Year?

Don’t risk downtime or data loss. Acrisure Cyber Services can deliver comprehensive cybersecurity and managed IT solutions built for small business budgets.

We can help you with:

• Complimentary cybersecurity risk exposure assessments
• 24/7 monitoring and response services
• Data backup and disaster recovery plans
• And much more…

Reach out to [email protected] for a no-obligation consultation, or visit acrisure.com/cyber to learn more about how we can help you build a more resilient business.

_{This content is for informational purposes only and may not address every security need.  Please consult a cybersecurity professional for guidance specific to your organization.}