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Avoid having confidential discussions in public
spaces if their is a risk of being heard.
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When
flying don’t check your laptop with other luggage. Keep it as carry
on luggage.
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Before
travelling remove unnecessary files and information from your laptop.
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Instead
of taking disks full of information copy only the information that you
will need onto another disk and take the copy.
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Do
not assume that because the hotel room is locked that information left
in it is safe.
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Find
out what information is confidential and what is not. People often
give away confidential information assuming that it is in the public
domain.
Dispose
of documents securely. Tearing them in half is not a secure disposal,
which is how many confidential documents are disposed of in hotels.
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At
trade shows be on your guard about giving too much information about
your products or processes. Intelligence experts estimate that on
average one in 50 people at a trade show are there specifically to
gather intelligence. Others will gather it if they can.
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When
in the bathroom, don’t leave your briefcase and laptop by the
bathroom door or the stall door. These are favourite targets at
airports, conventions and other places where travelling executives
gather.
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If
you are dealing with confidential information, avoid using computer or
facsimile equipment at foreign hotels.
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Obtain
security briefings or reports where possible.
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You
are not being paranoid to consider the possibility of bugging devices
having been planted. For example it has been reported that some
national airlines have been bugged by their national intelligence
agencies, who passed on commercial secrets to companies in that
country.
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Stay
as close to your laptop and briefcase as possible when it is X-rayed
by airport security. A common scam is for one person ahead of you to
hold up the line while another steals the laptop or briefcase.
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Be
on your guard against people who ask for too much information about
your work. When their polite or healthy interest begins to resemble
intelligence gathering you have probably already said too much.
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Many
people love their work and are only too happy to talk about it.
Unfortunately this enthusiasm can lead to secrets being given away.
Others can learn half the process from you and half from another
workmate.