December 08, 2025
Imagine you're three hours into a long five-hour holiday drive to visit family. Your daughter suddenly asks, "Can I use your laptop to play Roblox?" But this isn't just any device—it's your work laptop, packed with sensitive client files, financial records, and full business access. You're weary from packing, still have hours to go, and honestly, letting her play sounds like a relief. But is it really harmless?
Holiday travel introduces unique security risks that you don't usually face. Distractions, exhaustion, unfamiliar networks, and mixing family fun with quick work tasks all heighten your vulnerability. Whether traveling for business, pleasure, or a bit of both, here's how you can safeguard your data while still enjoying the season.
Pre-Trip Essentials: 15 Minutes to Secure Your Devices
Spend just 15 minutes before departure to prepare:
Device Prep:
- Install all pending security patches
- Back up critical files to the cloud
- Set auto screen lock to activate in 2 minutes or less
- Turn on "Find My Device" for phones and laptops
- Ensure your portable charger is fully powered
- Pack your own charging cables and power adapters
Discussing Device Rules with Family:
- Clarify which gadgets kids can use and which are off-limits
- Bring a dedicated family tablet or secondary device for entertainment
- Set up a restricted user account on work devices if children must use them
Pro tip: If kids need device time during travel, bring a tablet that's NOT linked to your work accounts. Investing $150 in a separate iPad is smarter than risking a costly data breach.
Hotel WiFi: Avoid Common Mistakes
At the hotel, everyone connects—phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming consoles. Your teen streams Netflix, your partner checks email, and you're reviewing a proposal for tomorrow's meeting.
The downside? Hotel networks host hundreds of guests, and not all are trustworthy.
Real incident: A family connected to a fake WiFi network masquerading as their hotel's. For two days, every online action—from passwords to credit card info—was intercepted.
Stay protected by:
Confirming the exact network name—always ask the front desk, never guess.
Using a VPN for work access—VPNs encrypt data when checking emails or accessing company files.
Switching to your phone's mobile hotspot for sensitive tasks—avoid hotel WiFi when handling banking or confidential data.
Separating work and leisure—kids streaming on WiFi? Fine. Accessing business info? Use your hotspot.
The "Can I Use Your Laptop?" Dilemma
Your work laptop is a treasure trove of emails, financials, client files, and business tools. Yet, kids want to watch videos or play games.
Why it matters: Children can accidentally download malware, click unsafe links, or save passwords. While innocent, these actions can compromise your work device's security.
Best practice:
Politely decline access to work devices—offer alternative devices consistently.
If sharing is unavoidable:
- Create a restricted user profile
- Supervise their activity closely
- Block downloads
- Avoid saving passwords
- Clear browsing history afterward
Even better: Travel with a separate family device, like an older tablet or laptop free from work account links.
Streaming on Hotel TVs: Remember to Log Out
Family wants to watch Netflix on the hotel's smart TV. Login is easiest, but if you forget to log out before checkout...
The risk: The next guest gains access to your Netflix account. And if you reused passwords elsewhere (which you shouldn't!), they might try those too.
Safe streaming fixes:
- Use your own device to cast content to the TV
- Set a phone reminder to log out from the TV before checking out
- Pre-download content to your devices to avoid hotel TVs altogether
Avoid logging into these on hotel TVs:
- Banking apps
- Work accounts
- Email
- Social media
- Any accounts storing payment information
Lost Device? Immediate Steps to Protect Your Data
Holiday travel can be chaotic; devices get misplaced at restaurants, hotels, rental cars, or airports. If your device goes missing…
Within the first hour:
- Use "Find My Device" to locate it immediately
- If recovery isn't possible, remotely lock the device
- Change passwords for essential accounts from another device
- Inform your IT team or managed service provider to revoke company access
- Notify affected clients if sensitive business data was stored on the device
Key security features your device should have before travel:
- Remote tracking enabled
- Strong password protection
- Automatic data encryption
- Remote wipe capabilities
Family member loses a device? Apply the same security steps—lock remotely, change passwords, and try locating it.
Watch Out for Rental Car Data Risks
Connecting your phone to a rental car's Bluetooth for music or navigation stores contacts, call logs, and sometimes message previews in the car. That data can remain when you return the vehicle.
Quick 30-second precautions before handing back the car:
- Delete your phone from the car's Bluetooth pairing list
- Clear recent GPS destinations
- Or better yet, use an aux cable or avoid connecting your phone
Setting Clear Boundaries on Working Vacations
You promised family quality time, but you've checked email dozens of times, taken multiple "quick" calls, and worked on your laptop while others enjoyed activities.
Juggling work and vacation can reduce your security focus, increasing mistakes like clicking malicious links or connecting to unsafe networks.
Practical advice: If unplugging fully isn't possible, establish clear limits:
- Check work emails twice daily at set times
- Use your phone's hotspot instead of hotel WiFi for work tasks
- Work privately in your hotel room, away from public view
- Be fully present with family during downtime—avoid multitasking
The best security is actually taking a break. Your business can survive a week off, and you'll return more alert and cautious.
Adopt a Smart Holiday Travel Security Mindset
Let's be honest—balancing work and family on holiday trips is messy. Sometimes your child genuinely needs your laptop, or an urgent email can't wait while your spouse drives.
The goal isn't flawless security, but thoughtful risk management:
- Prepare your devices thoroughly before leaving
- Recognize risky activities (like hotel WiFi banking) versus safer options (using phone hotspot)
- Keep work data segregated from family activities where you can
- Have a clear plan if an issue arises
- Know when to say, "Not on this device," and stick to it
Make This Holiday Season Truly Memorable
Holidays are meant for enjoying time with loved ones—not handling data breaches or explaining client info leaks.
With some foresight and simple guidelines, you can keep your business secure and your family's vacation joyful. Everyone wins.
Need expert help crafting travel security policies for your team and yourself? Click here or call us at 929-523-2921 to schedule your free Call With Our CEO. We'll guide you in creating practical strategies that protect your business while enabling stress-free travel.
Because the best holiday story shouldn't be "Remember when Dad's laptop got hacked?"
