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Technology guidance for international travel

The tips included below cover pre-departure preparations, how to safeguard your technology while abroad, and steps to take upon your return.

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Dear Colleagues, 

As summer travel approaches, Information Technology Services (ITS) has prepared guidance to help faculty protect their computers and other devices when traveling internationally. The tips included below cover pre-departure preparations, how to safeguard your technology while abroad, and steps to take upon your return. It also includes what to do if a device is lost or stolen, along with links to additional resources.

Taking a few simple precautions can help safeguard your data and support compliance with university and international policies.

The guidance is available on the ITS website.

Sincerely,
Lori

Lori Kletzer
Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

ITS Guide: International Travel with Technology

Taking time to plan and prepare your computer and other technology devices before you travel internationally can prevent problems and aggravation.

Potential risks include 

  • Inadvertently creating risk by having certain types of data on your devices.
  • Border agents searching or seizing your devices and asking that you provide access. Note that this can include U.S. Customs and Border Protections searching or seizing your devices upon re-entry to the United States, even if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Government entities checking your devices and accessing protected information.
  • Local authorities or others monitoring your online activity, social media, or device content.
  • Your device getting infected with malware, which could infect campus networks when you return.
  • Lost time and hassle in traveling and returning home. 

Before you travel


Only take what you need

  • It’s best to travel light. Do not take UC Santa Cruz data and/or devices that you won’t need. Assume any device and data taken on the trip can and will be accessed. 
  • Remove sensitive personal information and institutional and research data from your devices and remove automatic log-in to university accounts. Learn more about P3 and P4 data and your obligations to safeguard institutional confidential information, including student data.
     

Be prepared for border security 

  • Entering other countries: Many nations have laws that give border agents the authority to search or seize your devices. Review Travel Advisories from the U.S. State Department for destination countries.
  • Entering the United States: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have the authority to search or seize the devices of U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries entering the U.S. Non-U.S. citizens may be denied entry to the U.S. if they refuse to provide access to their devices, so they are strongly advised against traveling internationally with a UC Santa Cruz device. 
  • Follow UC Santa Cruz Global Engagement travel guidance, and consider consulting with UCSC advisors or immigration attorneys before you travel.
     

Prepare your devices

  • Plan for how you will connect online. Set up eduroam access before you leave. Cellular networks are more secure than public Wi-Fi, and can be used instead of less secure Wi-Fi. Check with your phone carrier about international roaming and data plans.
  • Check to see if the device(s) you plan to travel with are already set up with the UCSC security bundle including VPN (together called Verified Access.)
    • If not, follow the next steps provided to install the security bundle and VPN.
    • Some countries prohibit the use of VPNs that prevent government monitoring.
  • Backup your data using storage options in case you lose your device or a virus corrupts your data during the trip. 
  • Update your device(s) settings.
    • Disable lock-screen notifications and widgets that may reveal sensitive information.
    • Disable biometric locks and use a passcode instead to ensure the device cannot be accessed against your will.
    • Turn on the find-my-device feature.
    • Clear your web browsing history, cached images and files, and similar information stored on your devices.
  • Follow guidance on How to Stay Secure including encryption, updating operating systems, and using password managers. Ensure your device follows UC’s security controls. 


Determine if Export Control regulations apply to your travel

  • Review federal laws intended to prevent the transfer of sensitive items, data, and technology to foreign nations, organizations and individuals. For more information, review guidance on Export Control.

While you are traveling 

Connect securely

  • Disable auto-connecting to Wi-Fi so you don’t accidentally connect to insecure networks.
  • Use Multi-Factor Authentication (Duo for MFA) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) to  connect. 
  • Use eduroam for Wi-Fi access if you are visiting other educational institutions. Cellular networks are more secure than public Wi-Fi, and can be used instead of less secure Wi-Fi. 
  • Turn off wireless, GPS, and Bluetooth when not in use.
  • Regularly log out of personal and UC Santa Cruz cloud services such as Google, Canvas, Slack, etc.
  • Power off your devices when they are not in use. 

Avoid common security problems

  • Do not leave your device unattended. If you ever leave your computer, make sure to secure it. Turn it off completely rather than using sleep mode.
  • Never enter or access sensitive data when using a shared or public computer.
  • Do not use untrusted accessories. Never plug in an untrusted accessory, including charging tools. Additionally, never use gifted or found USB or thumb drives.
  • Connect only to known Wi-Fi networks, such as eduroam. 
  • Be cautious about sharing location and other sensitive information on social media.
  • Cover your webcam when not using it. Use a privacy screen cover. 

After returning home

  • Reset passwords. Using a trusted device, reset the passwords you used during the trip. 
  • Delete unneeded apps that were used specifically for your trip, assuming they are no longer required.  

If your device is lost or stolen


Resources

Related Topics

Last modified: Dec 09, 2025