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Despite widespread cybersecurity measures, only 26% of Australian business travellers receive training on cybersecurity during work travel, reveals an Opinium survey.
Despite most Australian business travellers (85%) saying their organisations provide cybersecurity measures, only a quarter (26%) take a training course on how to improve their cybersecurity before and during work travel, research reveals.
An Opinium survey of 500 people who travel for business at least once a year in Australia, commissioned by travel risk assistance provider World Travel Protection, found only a third (33%) of respondents refrain from using unsecured/public Wi-Fi hotspots and Bluetooth while travelling for work.
The survey also reveals 15% of business travellers say their organisation hasn’t asked them to take any cybersecurity measures.
World Travel Protection General Manager of Global Security Services Rodger Cook says business travellers are prime targets for cybercriminals due to the sensitive information they carry while often working from mobile devices and laptops in public areas.
“The consequences of a cyber attack can be severe on a business, particularly if customer data is compromised,” Cook says. “Businesses must prioritise cybersecurity measures as part of their travel safety policies to mitigate these risks.”
The most popular measures employers require business travellers to take include installing mandatory anti-virus software on their devices (43%); ensuring two-factor authentication is set up on all work devices (40%); using a virtual private network (VPN) on mobile devices (29%); and ensuring screen lock is enabled, and the countdown for auto lock has not been extended on their devices (25%).
Only 14% of business travellers report being required to travel with a laptop stripped of all but essential files for their trip, while just 17% use biometric security features such as facial recognition or fingerprints.
Cook says when travelling to destinations with mandatory app downloads, it is wise to use a device devoid of proprietary information.
“After returning, devices should be wiped and reset for the next journey,” he recommends.
However, only one in 10 (10%) respondents report using a different phone, which is then discarded, when travelling for work.
“Today’s businesses are facing a new breed of challenges,” Cook says. “We’re talking about everything from employee well-being to the security of sensitive data and cyber threats. This extends to ensuring business operations run smoothly, and the company’s reputation stays strong.”
Opinium’s survey was conducted with 500 people from 23 January to 2 February 2023, who travel for business at least once a year in Australia. This survey is part of a wider global survey of 2001 business travellers across Australia, UK and North America.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
