You’re halfway to your family getaway when your child asks, “Can I play on your laptop?” The problem? It’s your work laptop — the one loaded with client data, company files, and financial info. It’s moments like these that can turn a simple road trip into a cybersecurity nightmare.
Holiday travel pulls business owners in every direction — tired, distracted, juggling family and work on unfamiliar WiFi networks. That’s exactly when data breaches happen. Here’s how to keep your business information safe, even when you’re far from the office. Before you hit the road, take a few minutes to book a FREE cybersecurity risk assessment and make sure your defences are ready for the season.
Step 1: Do a 15-Minute Device Security Check Before You Leave
You don’t need hours to prepare your tech — just a few smart steps. A little prep before you go can stop a major problem later. Update all your software, back up critical files, and activate “Find My Device” tracking. Always pack your own cables, and make sure your phone and laptop have strong passwords.
If your kids need screen time, give them a separate tablet that’s not linked to your work accounts. Remember: replacing a cheap tablet is easier (and cheaper) than cleaning up after a data breach.
To learn more about the risks of staying unprotected, check out Phishing Scams Are Getting Smarter—Here’s How to Outsmart Them before you go.
Step 2: Be Smart About Hotel WiFi (It’s Not as Safe as You Think)
Hotel WiFi might feel convenient, but it’s also one of the easiest ways for hackers to snoop. Fake “guest networks” are a common trap designed to steal login details and payment info. Always confirm the official network name with the front desk before connecting. If you’re checking email or accessing client files, use a trusted VPN.
For anything sensitive — like banking or invoicing — skip hotel WiFi entirely and use your mobile hotspot. Let the kids stream cartoons, but keep business activities on secure connections only.
Need a quick win for your security setup? Read about The Most Effective But IGNORED Security Booster — a must-have tool for any device you take on the road.
Step 3: Keep Work Devices Off-Limits
Your work computer is your company’s nerve centre — and it should stay that way. Even well-meaning family members can accidentally download malware or save data where it doesn’t belong.
If sharing is unavoidable, create a restricted user account with no access to work files or admin settings. Better yet, pack a separate family device for entertainment.
This same principle applies to your business network too — learn why in Why Local IT Is Far Superior Than Corporate IT, where we explain how local, proactive IT keeps your systems safer and simpler to manage.
Step 4: Don’t Get Burned by “Smart” Hotel TVs
Logging into streaming apps on hotel TVs sounds harmless, but forgetting to log out can expose your accounts — or worse, your passwords if reused elsewhere. Always log out before checkout or, better yet, cast from your own device instead.
Never use hotel smart TVs for anything beyond entertainment. Banking, email, and social media accounts should stay far away from shared systems.
Step 5: What to Do If a Device Goes Missing
Losing a phone or laptop during travel happens fast — leaving your data exposed. The first hour after a loss is critical.
Immediately use “Find My Device” to locate or lock it, change all passwords, and contact your IT provider to revoke system access. For devices with business data, notify any impacted clients or partners quickly. To stay ready, make sure every device you travel with has encryption, remote lock, and wipe features enabled.
Step 6: Remember the Real Reason for the Trip
Between airport lines, hotel check-ins, and “quick work emails,” it’s easy to forget why you’re away in the first place. But staying half-focused on work increases your risk of clicking something malicious or ignoring warning signs.
If you must work while away, do it intentionally — in secure environments, on your hotspot, and at limited times. Because when you come home, you want stories about family time, not about your laptop getting hacked.
Before your next trip, talk to us about building a simple travel security checklist for your team. Book a FREE cybersecurity risk assessment — we’ll help make sure your business stays protected wherever you log in this holiday season.
Darryl Cresswell
CEO & President
MYDWARE IT Solutions Inc.
