General tips for international travel

The following is a non-exhaustive list of tips that may be useful when travelling across international borders:

Starting out on a trip

1. If the trip is potentially stressful, have a transition ritual where you take the time and space necessary to 'transition' into the next phase of your work. This is a personal practice and its nature will vary from person to person.
2. Consider what resources you need to take with you for your emotional well-being: sentimental items, pictures, jewellery, etc.
3. Have enough cash for emergencies.
4. Avoid connecting to free, open wireless networks in airports and other transport hubs, unless you have a VPN or use TOR.
5. Consider using tamper tape on your bags and devices (USB ports, hard drive covers) so that you know if they have been tampered with.
6. Avoid sending sensitive messages via SMS from areas in or near airports, as they are likely to be monitored.
7. Remember to bring chargers for your devices.
8. Consider buying a World SIM that you can use in a large number of countries.
9. If it's a long trip, consider bringing some of your own food and a cushion (or similar items) to avoid discomfort.
10. If travelling in a group, consider travelling by different routes to not attract attention.
11. Consider what resources you need to take with you for health, recreation or relaxation (e.g. medication, running shoes, sports equipment).

At border crossings

1. If necessary, agree (in some detail) about a ‘back story’ with colleagues. Be careful! Being caught lying may be worse than a ‘true story’ about attending a training or conference. If you have ‘back story’, be sure to have some supporting evidence when you leave the country, as you may be asked questions again.
2. Agree on a meeting point and time with your colleagues.
3. Provide only minimal information when asked for it.
4. Be polite but firm.
5. Stay with your belongings.

At your destination

1. Relaxation and energy management: Make clear, dedicated spaces for relaxation and stress relief (according to your own needs) that are non-negotiable except in emergencies.
2. Avoid walking alone at night.
3. Consider advising hotel staff not to provide information about you.
4. Avoid meeting unknown people at locations you don't know well.
5. Memorise phone numbers of sensitive contacts rather than save them in your phone.
6. Agree on a simple 'discreet signal' to alert your colleagues of an incident.
7. Separate sensitive information on devices.
8. Type up any handwritten notes you take before travelling again.
9. Send notes digitally to yourself or to colleagues, and consider encrypting them.
10. Consider using shorthand or code names when writing by hand.
11. Consider securely deleting unnecessary sensitive information from devices.

When leaving a country

1. Ensure all paper with sensitive data is disposed of safely.
2. Assume you will be searched.
3. Have files backed up remotely if possible.
4. Agree on your story. It should be consistent with whatever you said when you entered the country.
5. Stay with your belongings.
6. Consider transporting sensitive data on a MicroSD card which is easier to conceal if it can't be stored safely online.

Creating a plan/checklist

Basic elements of a security plan:

• The objective of the activity.
• The threats identified.
• Preventative actions and resources (before, during and after).
• Response and emergency actions and resources (before, during and after).
  • Including: WHEN is it an emergency? WHAT defines an emergency?
• Communication and devices.
  • What kind of sensitive information will you have during the activity? Which devices is that information on?
  • Who can access it? How?
  • How can you protect it?
• Well-being and self-care. - Adequate food, rest and relaxation.

Source: Holistic Security Trainers Manual, page 38