Holiday travel has a way of blurring the lines between work and family. One minute you’re grabbing road trip snacks, and the next you’re debating whether your eight-year-old can play Roblox on your work laptop. It’s real life, and it happens to all of us, but it also creates security risks you don’t face in your normal routine.
To help you enjoy the holidays without putting your business at risk, here’s a simple walkthrough of what to do before, during, and after your trip.
1. Before You Leave: Quick Prep That Actually Matters
A little preparation goes a long way. Spend fifteen minutes getting your devices ready and setting expectations with your family.
Device basics:
- Install security updates
- Back up important files to the cloud
- Enable automatic screen locking (two minutes or less)
- Activate Find My Device on phones, tablets, and laptops
- Charge your portable power bank
- Pack your own charging cables and adapters
Set expectations before you go:
- Decide which devices kids can use, and which ones are off limits
- Prepare a dedicated kid device for travel
- Create a separate guest account on your laptop if you absolutely need one
Pro tip: A low-cost tablet for kids is still cheaper than a data breach, and it eliminates negotiations in the car later.
2. On the Road: When Kids Ask for Your Laptop
You’re settling in for a long drive when you hear: “Can I use your laptop?” If it’s your work device, the answer should almost always be no. It holds client information, financial data, and business access that kids should never use, even accidentally.
If you truly have no other option:
- Use a restricted guest account
- Supervise what they are doing
- Block downloads
- Avoid saving any passwords
- Clear the browsing history afterward
Better choice: Keep a travel-friendly family device in the car. It avoids security issues, and it avoids arguments.
3. Checking In: Using Hotel Wi-Fi the Right Way
The moment you enter the room, everyone reaches for the Wi-Fi. It’s convenient, but it’s not always safe. Hotel networks are shared by hundreds of guests, and not everyone is there for vacation.
How to stay secure:
- Confirm the exact network name with the front desk
- Use a VPN for work tasks
- Use your phone’s hotspot for banking, client information, or anything confidential
- Save the hotel Wi-Fi for low-risk activities like streaming or casual browsing
Real story: Attackers sometimes set up fake networks with names that look like hotel Wi-Fi. When in doubt, ask.
4. Settling In: Streaming Without Leaving Accounts Behind
It’s tempting to log into Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube on the hotel TV, but smart TVs store your information long after you leave.
Safer options:
- Cast from your phone or tablet
- If you must log in, set a reminder to log out before checkout
- Download shows to your device ahead of time
Never log in to sensitive accounts on a hotel TV, including banking apps, work platforms, social media, or anything tied to stored payment information.
5. During the Stay: Balancing Work and Vacation Without the Risks
Sometimes you do need to answer a message or handle a task. The key is doing it intentionally.
Keep work secure and contained:
- Check email only during designated times
- Use a hotspot for anything work-related
- Avoid working in public areas where screens are visible
- Stay focused when handling sensitive tasks
And when you’re finished, put the devices away. A well-rested mind is better at spotting security risks later.
6. If Something Goes Missing: Your First-Hour Playbook
Travel is chaotic, and things get left behind. If a phone, tablet, or laptop disappears, act quickly.
Within the first hour:
- Use Find My Device to locate it
- Lock it remotely if you cannot get it back immediately
- Change passwords for key accounts
- Contact your IT team or MSP to revoke access
- Notify anyone affected if sensitive business data was stored on the device
Before you travel, make sure every device has remote tracking, encryption, and a strong passcode.
7. Heading Home: The Rental Car Data Cleanup
Rental cars love to keep your information unless you remove it. If you connected your phone for music or navigation, the car may now store your call history, contacts, and destinations.
Before returning the car:
- Remove your device from the Bluetooth menu
- Clear the GPS history
- Skip connecting entirely next time if you can
It only takes thirty seconds, and it protects your personal and business contacts.
8. When You’re Back: Keeping Good Habits for Next Time
By the time you pack up to leave, you’ve already practiced better security habits than most travelers. Carry them home with you.
A simple mindset helps:
- Understand which tasks are safe on public networks, and which aren’t
- Keep work activities separate from family devices
- Use the tools you set up before the trip
- Stay aware of your surroundings when handling sensitive information
Security is easier when you make thoughtful choices instead of reactive ones.
Once you’re home, take five minutes to wrap things up:
- Confirm all devices are accounted for
- Check for any forgotten accounts on hotel TVs
- Update passwords if anything felt questionable
- Review what worked well, and adjust before your next trip
If you want help building simple, reliable security protocols for travel, our team can guide you through best practices that fit your business without disrupting your holiday.
The best holiday memories should involve family, not the moment you realized your laptop was compromised.
