The following general guidance is provided for all types of travel, including specific recommendations for domestic and international travelers to help mitigate the risks to personal information, university data and IT assets. 

The appropriate controls should be implemented to maintain compliance with federal law, university policy, data use agreements, and security plans. 

Where to go for additional information 

• For information on domestic and international travel, see Business and Travel Expense Policy and Standards | UMass Office of the President 

• For general information on UMass related International Travel, see the Office of Global Affairs website 

• For information about the application of export controls to your travel, please contact the Office of Research Compliance at (413) 545-5283 or visit the Export Control website.

• For additional IT related travel information, see the IT Travel FAQ. 

  

General IT Guidance for Travelers 

Before You Travel 

All Travelers (Domestic and International) 

If you don't need it, don't travel with it.

• Bring only the devices (including laptops, smartphones, removable storage, etc.) you need and minimize the amount of data you carry on your devices. Loaner computers are available for all travelers. 
• Make sure sensitive information is not saved on your device. This includes but is not limited to: financial account numbers, social security numbers, health records, human subject information, protected research data, and/or other protected information. 
• Only take the information that you need. If you must take any information, make sure it complies with any data protection requirements. 

Confirm that your device operating system and installed software are up to date. 

Consult your technical support staff to help verify your devices are up to date and the security controls are working properly.

Confirm your device is encrypted. 

Consult your technical support staff to help verify your devices are encrypted and the security controls are working properly. (International Travelers, see additional information below) 

International Travelers 

Review your IT related travel risks 

• If you registered your travel with the university, a travel risk assessment will be performed.
• Review the IT Travel FAQ for more information. 
• Make sure any devices and software you bring with you complies with export control requirements. If you register your travel, an Export Control review will be done as part of the travel risk assessment process. 
• Make sure any devices and data you are traveling with, or have access to are adequately protected while traveling.

Consider using a loaner laptop 

• If you are unable to travel with your device because it contains sensitive information, or if you want to mitigate risks to your devices, consider using a loaner laptop for your trip.
• Travelers can sign out a loaner laptop from UMass Amherst IT. These laptops are designed to be used with minimum software installed and appropriate security controls. 

Consider using an alternate (subsidiary) login/email account 

• If your account contains data that is at risk of being exposed or accessed, and/or has specific protections requirements, consider using a separate IT account for your travel.
• Using a separate account that has limited access to campus information can limit your exposure in the unlikely event of an account compromise. 
• Contact IT for information on setting up a separate account for your travel. 

  

While You Are Traveling 

All Travelers (Domestic and International) 

• Do not leave devices unattended or unsecured 

• Do not use untrusted portable drives or other untrusted accessories 

• Only use your UMass accounts on trusted devices (not public kiosks, shared public computers in internet cafes or libraries, etc) 

• Be cautious about your internet access 

• • Refer to the NSA Guidance: Securing Wireless Devices in Public Settings 

• • Connect only to trusted wireless networks 

• • Disable your device's wireless connection and power off when not in use 

• • Use the UMass Amherst VPN service when connecting to authorized UMass resources 

• If you suspect your device, data or account has been lost, stolen, hacked, or compromised, report it to IT. 

  

When You Return 

All Travelers (Domestic and International) 

• Be aware of any unusual behavior on your devices 

• • Tip: Review any notifications from security software on your device 

• If your device is exhibiting unusual behavior or you think your device may be compromised, contact IT support. 

• Perform a full virus-scan of your devices 
  Upon your return, perform a full virus-scan of your devices (if they support anti-virus software), particularly before exporting any data from them.

International Travelers 

• Upon return from travel, consider wiping devices and setting them back up, such as computers, tablets, and cell phones. Your IT support can help with this on supported devices.

• Reset Credentials: To help reduce risks, change passwords for all accounts used during the trip. If a subsidiary account was issued for the purpose of the trip, this account should be deactivated.