International Travel Safety and Security Resources

• Confirm your Emergency Contact information is correct in KRONOS.
• Share key details with appropriate individuals who are not traveling. Examples of helpful information to share are:
  • Your arrival instructions and travel itinerary so they can track your flight and know if it is delayed or canceled. Communicate flight changes and confirm your arrival.
  • Develop a communication plan with your close contacts:
  • How frequently should they expect to hear from you?
  • When and how is the best way and time to connect (Zoom, Signal, Whatsapp, FaceTime, phone call, text, email, etc.)?
  • After arrival, let them know how they can reach a local contact in case they need to reach you urgently.
• Print or have the digital version of your Travel Assist card with you for the duration of your trip. This will be provided to you once your travel insurance has been bound.
• Review the “Safety Considerations" and “Helpful Resources” sections below. 

For members of the research community, a trip to a foreign country presents unique data security challenges. The nature of international travel requires you to use your devices in various unfamiliar places that may expose your data and devices to malicious people and software. Consider the following simple but effective best practices for your trip:

Before you leave:

• Bring only the minimum devices and information you need.
• Update your software, including fixes for known security issues.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), especially if Duo for MFA is blocked in your destination, and double-check encryption options.
• Back up important files and remove sensitive content from your device(s).
• Set up “Find My Device” functionality.

While traveling:

• Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use.
• Avoid public computers and public Wi-Fi. If allowed in your destination country, utilize a VPN. Make use of the University’s secure access options such as GlobalProtect VPN, vLab or vOffice. 
• Clear Browsing Data after each session.
• Be careful with USB drives, as they can carry malware and compromise your data. 
• Shield your screen, especially when viewing sensitive information.

After your trip:

• Run a security check
• Change passwords for accounts accessed on public or shared networks.

Explore the Export Control and Information Technology Services pages for tips on how to project your devices and data while abroad. This is particularly important for any sponsored research travel that may come with strong research security requirements. The NSF Research Security Training, while mandatory under NSF and some additional federal funding, can prove an excellent resource for best practices around research security for anyone considering international travel as part of their research, with an entire module dedicated to international collaboration. There is an NSF training on research security available for free, as well as a condensed version and annual refresher training they offer via the NSF SECURE Center. Reach out to the SPF team if you have any questions about these trainings, particularly if you are working on a proposal that requires this training in advance of submission.

Review the “Safety Considerations" and “Helpful Resources” sections below for useful tips and best practices.

• Rapidly Changing Immigration Policies: Constant policy changes by the federal government (such as executive orders or Department of Homeland Security memos) could affect visa eligibility or re-entry requirements mid-trip, leaving travelers vulnerable to unexpected barriers.
• Citizenship Status and Border Control: Recently, there has been greater emphasis on stricter border control, which could lead to longer screening processes, device searches, or interviews, especially for travelers with certain nationalities or research interests.
• Visas: Individuals holding visas (H-1B, F-1, J-1, O-1, etc.) may face increased scrutiny or delays when re-entering the U.S., particularly if they traveled to or transited through countries under heightened security or diplomatic strain with the U.S. Travelers seeking visa renewals may also experience longer processing times, resulting in delays in reentering the U.S. It is also important to note that visas are frequently tied to specific institutions or programs of study. Thus, any disruption in travel, employment or study can inadvertently impact legal status.
• Country-Specific Bans and Restrictions: Travelers from certain countries could be affected by current or proposed travel bans or enhanced screening procedures, depending on national origin or prior travel history. 
• Legal and Diplomatic Issues: Foreign laws often differ significantly from those in the United States, particularly regarding freedom of speech and expression, religious or political dissent, and data privacy. Violation(s) of these laws, intentional or not, may impact the ability to re-enter the United States.
• Geopolitics: Tensions in some areas of the world, such as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and parts of Asia or Africa, may increase risks of conflict, detainment, or restricted movement by foreign nationals, especially from Western countries.
• Security Risks: Some destinations may have increased threats of terrorism, civil unrest, or targeted violence, which can pose direct dangers to travelers.
• Cybersecurity Concerns: Traveling with research data or devices may make students and faculty vulnerable to surveillance or cyber espionage, especially in countries with aggressive data policies.
• Research Scrutiny: Faculty and students involved in sensitive research areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or defense-related fields may face additional questions at the border. Employees should consult with IT services to understand secure devices or data protection best practices for international research.

• Crisis24Horizon App: CSU-wide platform available to travelers providing end-to-end risk management and travel safety considerations.
• CSU International Travel Considerations: The Systemwide guidance page for international travel, which includes general safety guidance and considerations, links to useful external resources, and relevant systemwide travel policies.
• High Hazard and War Risk Countries List: This is the CSU’s annual list of countries that the CSU’s Foreign Travel Insurance Program (FTIP) underwriters maintain and regularly update which require additional approvals by the underwriters, campus President’s Office, and in some cases Chancellor's Office approval. They also include increased costs due to the higher risks associated with the travel locations, should trips be approved. 
• CDC Traveler’s Health Resources and World Health Organization information on health emergencies or overall status in travel locations, as well as recommended vaccinations and other medical preparations for specific destinations.
• US Department of State: 
  • Travel Advisories: and country information. This is also particularly useful to familiarize yourself with any potential entry, exit, and visa requirements for your destinations (which may vary depending on your specific citizenship/residency situation). 
  • STEP Program: The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service to allow US citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency.
  • Planning Checklists: In additional to pre-trip planning checklists, this section also includes broader international travel safety guidance, safety tips for specific kinds of activities, and resources specific to personal travel safety considerations such as accessibility needs, age 65+ travelers, dual-nationality, minors, LGBTQIA+, pets, race and ethnicity, and women. These resources are not exhaustive, but can be a helpful starting point to ensure you are considering all the needs of yourself and any other travelers involved in your international trip.  
• Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories: up-to-date information and reliable analysis of risks, dangers, and overall travel considerations that can supplement other planning resources.
• NSF SECURE Center Resources and guidance documents created by the National Science Foundation’s SECURE Center project to assist researchers and NSF awardees with international travel security and basic research information protection. Please note that this information is general for the broader research community, and some practices may conflict with Cal Poly Humboldt or SPF practices, such as the use of VPNs vs. the Virtual Labs virtual desktop environment. 
• Outright International's Country Overviews provides trustworthy information for LGBTIQ travelers related to human rights and potential risks for travel destinations.
• Freedom House’s Freedom Map: this map tracks political rights and civil liberties worldwide as analyzed through their annual Freedom in the World report, and offers broader overviews of individual country news, updates, and data.
• OSAC Traveler Toolkit: The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Traveler Toolkit is a collection of OSAC reports, traveler advisories, and other content to help support U.S. business travelers abroad. Some particularly relevant reports for SPF travel include Off-Road and Remote Travel Safety, How to Prepare for Travel in a Potential Crisis Zone, and reposting security alerts issued by US Embassies and Consulates. 
• Digital Security Tips from UC Berkeley’s Information Security Office
• OANDA Currency Converter reliable exchange rates for destinations, as well as historical trends.
• International Travel Resources from UC Berkeley: 
  • https://rac.berkeley.edu/ec/travel.html export control focused guidance
  • https://riskservices.berkeley.edu/international-risk risk and safety focused tips