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Cybersecurity

UFV/Cybersecurity/Stay cybersecure at UFV/Protect your devices/Electronic Devices and Travel

Electronic Devices and Travel

UFV employees traveling internationally for professional and/or research purposes are encouraged to review the information below when traveling internationally with UFV devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.

If you prefer to travel with a loaner laptop and/or mobile phone, visit the IT Service Desk portal to learn more about the devices available to UFV employees. 

Learn more:

 

Before You Travel  

1. Assess What Devices to Bring  

  • Consider whether you need to bring all your devices  
  • Avoid traveling with devices containing sensitive research, proprietary information, or student data.
  • Consider requesting a loaner laptop or phone from IT Services

2. Secure Your Devices  

  • Encrypt your devices:   
    • iPhones and iPads: Encryption is automatically activated when you set a passcode 
    • Android phones and tablets: Check Settings > Security > Encryption  
    • Windows: Enable BitLocker (BitLocker is already enabled on UFV-managed computers)    
    • Mac: Enable FileVault (FileVault is enabled on all individually assigned Macs and loaner MacBook's) 
    • Visit Encrypt External Drives with Bitlocker-to-go for more information on encryption 
  • Use strong passwords   
    • Create complex passwords combining letters, numbers, and symbols  
    • Avoid using easily guessable information (birthdays, names, common words)  
    • Do not use the same password for multiple devices or accounts 
  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) using the Microsoft Authenticator App

3. Manage Your Data

  • Review and remove unnecessary sensitive data  
  • Back up and move essential files to university approved cloud storage (e.g. OneDrive)
  • Empty "recently deleted" folders  
  • Consider temporarily removing Social Media apps or other apps containing sensitive information  
  • Use cloud storage strategically   
  • US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) policies currently limit examination to data stored directly on the device, not in cloud services. Border agents are required to put devices in airplane mode before searching them.   
  • Log out of cloud services before travel and remove saved passwords from your browser  

At the Border  

1. Prepare Your Devices  

  • Enter airplane mode before approaching Customs and Border Protection  
  • Disable biometric authentication (fingerprints, facial features or voice patterns)   
  • Power down your device completely before arriving at customs

2. If Asked to Unlock Your Device 

  • Know your options. You may choose to comply or decline  
    • If you comply, unlock the device yourself - never share your password  
    • If you decline, your device may be detained, and entry may be delayed or denied (especially for non-citizens)  

3. If Your Device Is Confiscated  

  • Report the incident to your department head and IT Service Desk immediately   

During Your Trip

  • Avoid public Wi-Fi; use a VPN if necessary
  • Disable auto-connect for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
  • Use your own charging equipment - avoid public charging stations
  • Do not use public/shared computers for accessing sensitive information 

After Your Return   

  • Change all passwords used during your trip 
  • Run antivirus and malware scans on all devices
  • Review your UFV sign-in history for any unauthorized or suspicious activity 
  • Report any suspicious activity or device access to university's cybersecurity team

 

Contact Cybersecurity