Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBefore an international trip, decide which files and credentials you truly need, make a secure backup, verify that it works, and only then remove unnecessary sensitive data from devices. Keep recovery credentials separate from the backup, and check destination guidance and any employer rules before changing work devices. The right precautions depend on where you are going and what information you carry.
What should you keep, back up, and remove?
Start by separating what you need during the trip from what you do not need to carry. A useful inventory prevents deleting something important while helping you see where sensitive copies may be stored.
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Keep accessible what the trip requires
- Travel documents, reservations, emergency contacts, and other information you may need offline.
- Essential work files, if your employer permits them on the device.
- Credentials needed to access accounts or services while away, with recovery information stored securely and separately.
Review data you do not need on the device
- Sensitive photos, videos, messages, and social-media content.
- Downloads, cached documents, email attachments, and message media.
- Browser data and files held in work apps.
- Authentication or recovery material that is not needed for travel.
Copies can exist in more than one place. Deleting a file from a phone may not remove a cloud copy, synced device, or service backup; check the relevant service’s sync and retention behavior before assuming it is gone.
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Use an encrypted external drive or a properly vetted cloud backup. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) advises frequent backups and notes that external drives can be lost; disconnect an external drive when it is not actively being used for backup to reduce its exposure to ransomware. CISA’s guidance is available in How to Protect the Data that is Stored on Your Devices.
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| Backup option | Useful when | Points to check |
|---|---|---|
| Encrypted external drive | You want a copy available offline and can store the drive securely. | Protect it from theft or loss, disconnect it when not backing up, and make sure you can restore files from it. |
| Vetted cloud backup | You need remote access or do not want to carry another physical device. | Understand the provider’s security and recovery process, who controls encryption keys, and whether you can access the backup abroad. |
These are categories, not endorsements of a particular cloud provider or drive model. Do not make a backup that is less protected than the original data.
- Choose what to back up. Include the files and information you may need to recover, not every sensitive item simply by default.
- Protect the copy. Encrypt the backup and use a secure storage location. For an external drive, keep it disconnected except while backing up or restoring.
- Verify it before deleting anything. Open important files or test that they can be restored. A backup that has not been checked may not be usable when you need it.
- Store recovery credentials separately. Keep encryption passwords and recovery keys somewhere safe and accessible through a separate secure channel. CISA recommends securing these credentials before initiating encryption.
When should you remove sensitive data?
Remove only the information you have decided not to carry, and do so after verifying the backup. Review device storage and synced services separately: local files, downloads, email attachments, messages, photo libraries, browser data, and work apps may each have distinct copies or retention settings.
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The U.S. Department of State specifically advises travelers to high-risk areas to erase sensitive photos, comments, or other material from social-media pages and from cameras, laptops, and other devices. That is guidance for high-risk areas, not a blanket instruction for every destination. See the State Department’s High-Risk Areas page, last updated August 11, 2025, and check current destination information and local laws.
How should you secure devices and recovery access?
Use device encryption and a strong unlock credential. Before enabling encryption or changing device security settings, make sure you have safely stored the recovery key and password; otherwise, a security measure can leave you unable to access your own data. CISA recommends backing up before enabling encryption and safeguarding recovery credentials.
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Keep recovery information separate from the encrypted device and its backup. The safest arrangement depends on what access you will have while traveling, but avoid leaving the only recovery key beside the data it unlocks.
What changes for work devices?
Employer-issued equipment and work data may be governed by organizational rules that do not apply to personal devices. Before travel, ask your security team whether you should remove work data, use an approved device, or take a loaner; also confirm any destination-specific configuration requirements.
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For example, Maryland DoIT’s State Information Security Foreign Travel Policy, version 2.1, issued and revised January 24, 2025, sets requirements for specified Maryland government workers, including sensitive-data removal in defined situations and advisory-level controls that can require loaner devices for some destinations. It is an example of one employer’s policy, not a rule for all travelers. DHS Directive 4300A Attachment Q is also agency-specific; federal employees should follow their own agency’s current requirements.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) describes its policy for searches of electronic devices at U.S. ports of entry. CBP says the search covers information resident on a device when presented for inspection, not information stored solely remotely, and officers may disable network connectivity during a search. This is a U.S.-specific policy description and should not be assumed to describe another country’s procedures. See CBP’s Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry.
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CBP also says a device that cannot be inspected because it is protected by encryption, a passcode, or another security mechanism may be detained, excluded, or otherwise dispositioned. Consequences vary by traveler status, so encryption should not be treated as a guarantee of a frictionless inspection. CBP reported 47,047 device searches in FY 2024, representing less than 0.01% of arriving travelers encountered; that is CBP’s U.S.-specific administrative statistic, not a measure of search rates elsewhere.
Quick Recap
Pre-travel checklist
- List what you need during the trip and identify sensitive information you do not need to carry.
- Back up essential files using a protected external drive or vetted cloud service.
- Verify that important files open or can be restored.
- Store encryption passwords and recovery keys separately and securely.
- Remove unneeded sensitive data from device storage and review synced services individually.
- Check current destination guidance and local laws; ask your employer about work-device rules.
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