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Traveling with Electronic Devices

General Advice When Traveling with Electronic Devices:

Travelers should keep updated on changes to security and travel requirements for all international destinations and transport hubs through which they will be traveling. Individuals traveling with any University owned devices or University data on personal devices are advised to:

  • Consider whether such electronic devices are necessary to travel; leave unnecessary devices behind
  • Remove all controlled, sensitive, or proprietary data and information from devices that is not pertinent the travel
  • Consider leaving all data and/or information on network accessible resources and connect remotely to access such data/information using University VPN connections
  • Encrypt devices all devices containing any University data/information, especially if you must take sensitive or proprietary data (unless going to a country where this is prohibited)
  • Choose appropriate, complex passwords for devices and online accounts
  • Back-up all data prior to departure
  • Enable remote wiping capabilities, if available, in the event the device is lost or stolen
  • Ensure that electronic devices remain fully charged in case the traveler is required to enable it for any customs inspections
  • Travelers asked to provide access to any device with controlled, sensitive or proprietary data/information, should contact the University for assistance
  • Have the device scanned by IT support staff upon return to detect and remove any malicious spyware

Travelers should be aware that Customs and Border Security staff, both in the U.S. and at international destinations, often have the right under applicable law to search electronic devices upon entry/exit.  Such requests may delay entry/exit and/or result in confiscation of electronic devices.  In extreme circumstances, content on electronic devices, including social media postings and other online communications, may result in denial of entry.
Individuals traveling with electronic devices that must be stored as checked luggage are advised to plan for safe storage of their devices, including the use of  Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recognized locks for their checked baggage. The TSA website has tips to facilitate the security screening process.