Cybersecurity Tips to Share With Executives in Your Organization

Executives are prime targets for cyber scams, as they have access to all sorts of sensitive information bad actors would love to get their hands on.

Security professionals have to put the proper measures in place to ensure cybercriminals cannot compromise any devices or accounts used by the executives within their company. Keeping executives secure is a constant challenge, but it is easier for security professionals to do so when those executives are working from the office or even at home, operating within secure networks and properly vetted devices.

Unfortunately, executives are likely going to travel a fair amount for work. They will be outside of the secure setting of their work networks, and if the proper steps are not taken, executives could find themselves in precarious situations where their digital lives are compromised.

As a possible result, an executive could not only face personal harm, but their entire organization may be at risk as well. Sensitive information could be stolen, and the organization could face lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage.

This guide outlines what security professionals can do to ensure executives are properly protected when they travel.

Download Device Updates
Ensure any device used by an executive has the latest software updates installed. Tech companies constantly include security patches within these updates to address various vulnerabilities as they are discovered. Cybercriminals will want to try and exploit these flaws to compromise a device and steal valuable data.

Adjust Phone Settings and Know About Lockdown Mode
Take the time to adjust any and all settings within the devices your executives will bring when they travel. Be sure your executives are familiar with Lockdown Mode in the event of a serious cyberattack. Stolen Device Protection is another feature to consider when any employee travels for business.

Limit The Amount of Devices Executives Take With Them
Talk with your executives to see which devices they need to bring with them for their trip. Executives should only travel with the devices they absolutely need to conduct their business. Each device offers bad actors another opportunity to attack an executive. By limiting the amount of devices an executive takes, you reduce the risk of an attack against an executive and your organization.

Consider Burner Devices
Rather than having executives bring their personal devices, consider having them travel with burner devices instead. Security professionals can customize these devices to give executives all of the functionalities they need to conduct their business, while minimizing the amount of sensitive information located on the device.

Keep Devices On Hand As Much As Possible
Advise executives to keep their devices on them as much as possible. Physical theft is also a concern when traveling. If an executive needs to leave a device in a hotel room, for example, recommend using a safe, or keeping the devices hidden out of sight.

Download Apps Ahead of Time
Work with your executives to download any apps they need or want before they travel. This includes applications for work, and apps they may want to use for leisure. By doing this before the executives travel, you can reduce the risk of users bypassing security measures and downloading unknown and possibly malicious applications.

Implement Strong Authentication Measures
Be sure any accounts executives may use when traveling are protected with strong passwords and implement multifactor authentication where available.

Have a VPN Ready
Security professionals should advise their executives to use a VPN when they are traveling, especially when in airports and in hotels. Public Wi-Fi networks normally do not have proper security measures in place, which could allow bad actors to observe internet traffic and steal sensitive information. By using a VPN, executives' internet activity would be masked and protected.

Keep Travel Details Private
Advise your executives to avoid broadcasting travel trips under most circumstances. Not only does it open executives up to the risks highlighted above, but bad actors may try and send targeted phishing messages tied to whatever location they are traveling for work.

Set Up Device Policies: Security professionals should enforce strict device policies, which include remote wipe capabilities and that all devices are protected by encryption.

Implement Lost Device/Security Incident Protocols: Security professionals should set up procedures for employees to report lost or stolen devices and guidelines for reporting security incidents while they are traveling. By building these out, security professionals can respond quickly and help limit damage.

Educate Employees on Cyber Scams: Keep your workforce up-to-date on the latest cyber scams. By educating employees on these scams, they will be able to pick up on the red flags normally associated with these attacks and will be less inclined to respond to a phishing email or click on a phony link.

Conduct Analytics On Devices After The Trip
Security professionals should conduct analytics on any devices used for travel. This way, anything suspicious can be identified and further remediation can take place to minimize any harm.