Holiday travel is stressful enough packing, logistics, kids, schedules. But for business owners and executives, there’s an added challenge: your work devices, your access, and your data travel with you.
And travel is when most security mistakes happen.
You’re tired. You’re juggling family and work. You’re connecting to unfamiliar networks. You’re mixing “I’ll just check this quickly” with holiday distractions. For cybercriminals, this is prime hunting season.
This detailed guide shows you how to stay secure during holiday travel—written specifically for MSSP-supported organizations.
Why Holiday Travel Creates High-Risk Security Moments
When your routine changes, your guard drops. During travel, most people:
- Use unverified Wi-Fi
- Share devices with kids or family
- Connect to hotel TVs
- Charge devices at airports
- Move between personal and work mode too quickly
- Leave devices unattended in cars, hotels, or restaurants
For MSSPs, these are the most common sources of holiday incidents. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s reducing risk with smart preparation.
Before You Leave: 15-Minute Security Prep
A few simple steps before travel significantly reduce your exposure.
- Update & Secure All Devices
Ensure:
- All OS and security patches are installed
- MFA is enabled on all business apps
- Automatic screen lock is set (2 minutes or less)
- Remote tracking (“Find My Device”) is activated
Your MSSP monitors your environment, but physical device security starts with you.
- Back Up Everything Important
Cloud backup ensures your data stays safe if a device is lost or compromised.
- Pack Your Own Charging Tools
Avoid airport charging stations—they are known for “juice jacking.”
Bring:
- Personal adapters
- Power banks
- Charging cables
- Travel surge protectors
- The Family Device Talk
Set expectations before leaving:
- Which devices kids can use
- Which devices are strictly off limits
- A backup device (iPad/tablet) for entertainment
If kids need access, set up a separate, restricted user account.
Hotel Wi-Fi: The Most Dangerous Network You’ll Use All Year
Hotel Wi-Fi is convenient but also a prime environment for cyberattacks.
Why It’s Risky:
- Hundreds of guests share the same network
- Attackers easily create fake “hotel Wi-Fi” clones
- Unencrypted connections expose passwords, emails, and financial data
Safe Use Guidelines:
- Ask the front desk for the exact network name
- Avoid password-protected networks that feel “too easy”
- Never access sensitive business systems on hotel Wi-Fi
- Use your MSSP-provided VPN for any remote work
- For banking or sensitive apps → use your phone’s hotspot
Kids streaming Netflix? Fine.
You accessing client files? Hotspot only.
Kids + Work Laptops = A Security Incident Waiting to Happen
Your work laptop contains:
- Client data
- Business systems
- Email accounts
- Financial information
Kids aren’t malicious—they’re curious:
They click pop-ups.
They download games.
They accept random permissions.
They forget to log out of accounts.
The rule:
Never share your work device. Period.
If you must:
- Create a restricted local user account
- Disable downloads
- Disable admin permissions
- Supervise them
- Clear browser history afterward
Better solution: Bring a dedicated family device.
Streaming on Hotel TVs: The Password Trap
Logging into Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu on hotel smart TVs is risky.
Why? Because:
- Most hotel TVs don’t erase login data automatically
- The next guest gains access
- Many people reuse passwords across multiple accounts
Safer options:
- Cast from your phone
- Use your personal device to stream
- Set a reminder to log out before checkout
Never access:
- Banking
- Work apps
- Any payment-based platform
If a Device Is Lost or Stolen: The First 60 Minutes Matter
Holiday travel is chaotic; devices get lost frequently.
Do this immediately:
- Use “Find My Device” to locate it
- If not recovered → remotely lock the device
- Change passwords for critical accounts
- Notify your MSSP so they can revoke access
- If business data was involved, follow incident reporting procedures
Your MSSP will handle:
- System access revocation
- Security monitoring
- Potential data exposure assessment
Rental Cars: The Hidden Data Leak
When you connect your phone to a rental car’s Bluetooth, it often saves:
- Contact lists
- Call logs
- Text previews
- Recent navigation history
Before returning the car:
- Delete your device from the Bluetooth menu
- Clear navigation history
- Or avoid connecting entirely
The Working Vacation Trap
You promised family time… but you’re checking emails, taking calls, and shifting between personal and work mode in a noisy, distracting environment.
This is when people fall for:
- Phishing emails
- Fake Wi-Fi networks
- Accidental data exposure
- Unintentional downloads
Protect yourself by setting boundaries:
- Check email twice a day
- Do work only from your hotspot
- Never work in public spaces
- When with family: be fully present
A rested brain makes fewer mistakes and holiday breaches almost always involve human error.
The Holiday Security Mindset for MSSP Clients
Your MSSP protects your environment, monitors threats, and responds to incidents.
But travel security requires shared responsibility.
Your job:
- Protect physical devices
- Use VPNs and hotspots
- Avoid unsafe Wi-Fi
- Follow basic cyber hygiene
- Report any suspicious activity immediately
Your MSSP’s job:
- Monitor your environment
- Detect unauthorized access
- Freeze compromised accounts
- Provide rapid incident response
- Advise on safe travel practices
Together, you can reduce 90% of travel-related breaches.
Make Your Holidays Safe for Your Family and Your Business
The holidays should be memorable for the right reasons—not because of a data breach or a cyber incident caused by one rushed decision at an airport or hotel.
A little preparation keeps your business protected while still letting you enjoy your time away.
If you want help creating a holiday travel security policy, securing employee devices, or setting up safer remote-access rules, your MSSP is here to help.
So book your free discovery call here at (303) 423-4500 or Click Here and let’s make your business secure wherever the holidays take you.
