Protect Your Computing Devices When Traveling Internationally

When you travel internationally, the safeguards provided by the Stanford University computing environment are not available. Important data on devices such as laptops, notebooks, iPads, smart phones, MP3 players, thumb drives, SD cards, SIM cards, cameras must be properly protected.

Furthermore, if you travel to countries that are known for computer and network-based espionage (e.g., network monitoring, or keystroke-monitoring malware), then SUNet ID credentials used to access Stanford's resources and, credentials for a wide variety of Internet-based services can be easily compromised.

Planning for safe digital travel involves analyzing the risk versus your business requirements, taking into account the value of the data you carry with you as well as the data and services your accounts have access to.

Examples of data that should be left on campus or afforded exceptional protection include information that might be construed as sensitive by the host government, and any non-public data listed in the table on the Stanford Data Classification Guidelines page.

In addition, international tangible exports (hardware, software on media, equipment, components etc.) must be reviewed for export control and documented so that Stanford may demonstrate its export control due diligence.

For detailed information, see the Guidelines for International Travel on the University IT site.