Traveling with University-Owned Equipment

The Office of Information Technology, in conjunction with Research and Graduate Studies (RGS), has established this list of recommendations for faculty and staff traveling abroad with personal or university-owned equipment. We recommend that you review these security best practices for the protection of both physical assets and data, prior to traveling internationally.

Before your Trip

Identify Whether You Are Traveling To a "High-Risk" Country

• Visit the U.S. State Department's Alerts and Warnings website.

  • Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

  • Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

  • Level 3: Reconsider Travel

  • Level 4: Do Not Travel

Understand the Sensitivity of Your Data

• Contact RGS (export@pdx.edu) or the Information Security Office (help-security@pdx.edu) to discuss your trip and appropriate precautions to take with devices and data.

Protect Your Data

• Back up your information before your trip begins.

• Ensure that you are traveling with only the data needed for your trip. If traveling to a Level 2 or higher risk country, please contact the Help Desk to check out a loaner device and load only the data you’ll need for this trip.

• Ensure that the devices you are bringing on the trip are fully encrypted and use a strong PIN.

• Ensure that your devices are up to date (for example, apps, malware protection, and software updates).

Learn About Hardware And Software Travel Restrictions

• If you are unsure if data stored on your device is export controlled, please contact RGS for assistance (export@pdx.edu).

• Learn about hardware and software travel restrictions to reduce the likelihood of your devices being confiscated or your trip being disrupted. Please check with the embassy of the country you are traveling to for the most up-to-date information. If you have encryption enabled on your device please be sure to ask specifically about the regulations for encryption.
  
  

During Your Trip

Do not Leave Electronic Devices Unattended

• Consider keeping your devices on your person at all times — even hotel safes are not secure.

• Shut down devices when not in use (do not use sleep or hibernate features).

Stay Safe Online

• When using shared Wi-Fi, stay connected to the PSU Virtual Private Network Full(VPN-Full), providing full access to the PSU Network and ensuring security when working with sensitive data.

• Do not install any software on your PC, including software updates.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

• Watch for those looking over your shoulder or potential thieves and be discreet when entering your usernames and passwords.

Avoid Using Public Workstations And Computer Services

• Avoid logging in to your Odin account or other PSU resources using “shared” computers in business centers, or kiosks.

• Avoid plugging your phone into charger kiosks and other devices you do not control.

After Your Trip

Scan Your Devices

• Perform a full virus and malware scan. Please contact the Help Desk for further guidance.

Restore Your Systems To Trusted Versions

• Save any documents you created while traveling to an external drive and restore it from your pre-departure backup.

• Change any passwords you used during your trip.