Working Abroad This Summer? How to Keep Your Business Secure, Connected and Compliant
Summer is almost here and for many businesses, that means annual leave calendars filling up, teams travelling abroad, and employees occasionally checking in while away.
For some, it might be responding to a few urgent emails from a hotel balcony. For others, it may involve fully remote working arrangements while travelling.
Flexible working has changed the way many businesses operate, which has brought plenty of benefits. But alongside flexibility comes responsibility. While your team may be enjoying warmer weather and a change of scenery, your business still needs to remain secure, compliant and connected.
The good news is that remote and flexible working does not need to become complicated. With a little planning and the right systems in place, businesses can support their people while protecting operations at the same time.
Be Clear on Expectations Before People Travel
One of the biggest challenges businesses face is uncertainty.
If someone is travelling abroad, consider discussing expectations beforehand:
✔ Are they completely on annual leave?
✔ Available only in emergencies?
✔ Working remotely for part of their trip?
✔ Expected to be available during certain hours?
Setting expectations avoids confusion and helps staff switch off properly when they should be resting.
Checking a few emails while sitting by the pool is very different from trying to run day-to-day operations remotely.
Clear communication helps everyone understand what is expected and prevents unnecessary stress.
Avoid Public WiFi Without Proper Protection
Holiday destinations often rely heavily on public networks:
- Airports
- Hotels
- Cafés
- Shared workspaces
- Transport hubs
Convenient? Yes. Secure? Not always.
Public networks can expose users to risks including:
- Unsecured connections
- Data interception
- Fake WiFi networks
- Increased phishing attempts
Best practice includes:
✔ Using trusted networks where possible
✔ Avoiding access to sensitive systems on public WiFi
✔ Using VPN solutions where appropriate
✔ Enabling Multi Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA is becoming increasingly important and now forms part of evolving security best practices for businesses.
You may also find our recent article useful:
Related Reading: Cyber Essentials Changes in 2026: What Businesses Need to Know
Make Sure Devices Are Ready Before Travelling
Before laptops and mobile devices head abroad, spend a few minutes checking they are properly prepared.
A simple checklist can make a big difference:
✔ Software fully updated
✔ Security patches installed
✔ Antivirus protection active
✔ MFA enabled
✔ Passwords updated
✔ Device encryption enabled
✔ Backup completed
It is also worth asking:
“If this device was lost tomorrow, what would happen?”
- Could you remotely disable access?
- Would business data remain protected?
- Would staff still be able to continue working?
Compliance Still Matters Abroad
One thing businesses sometimes overlook is that regulations and responsibilities do not disappear simply because someone is overseas.
Sensitive information remains sensitive information whether viewed in North Wales or Spain.
Examples may include:
Legal firms:
Client files and confidential case information
Finance teams:
Financial records and customer data
Healthcare providers:
Sensitive patient information
Manufacturing businesses:
Operational systems and supplier information
GDPR responsibilities still apply, and businesses should consider:
✔ Access permissions
✔ File sharing processes
✔ Device security
✔ Storage locations
Because compliance does not take a summer holiday.
Have a Plan for Unexpected Problems
Things happen.
- Devices fail
- Laptops get left behind
- Flights get delayed
- Connections drop
Preparing for these situations beforehand can prevent panic later.
Ask yourself:
- Who should staff contact if they have an issue?
- Can access be removed remotely?
- Are files properly backed up?
- Can systems be accessed securely elsewhere?
Having a plan means issues can often be resolved quickly with minimal disruption.
We recently explored this in another article:
Related Reading: Is Your Backup Actually Protecting Your Business?
Make Remote Working Easy
Good IT should support flexible working, not create additional obstacles.
The right systems can help teams:
✔ Access files securely
✔ Collaborate effectively
✔ Stay productive
✔ Communicate easily
✔ Work from multiple locations safely
Cloud platforms and modern working tools can remove much of the stress and frustration often associated with remote access.
You can learn more about our:
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Summer should not mean worrying about security risks, lost devices or whether someone can access the systems they need.
Flexible working is now a normal part of business life and with the right planning in place, teams can stay connected without compromising security or compliance.
At The tecdesk, we believe technology should support your people, not create headaches for them.
Simple systems. Clear advice. Reliable support.
Heading Abroad This Summer?
Whether your team is working remotely, checking in while travelling or operating across multiple locations, we can help ensure your systems stay secure and your people stay connected.
Get in touch with our team for a friendly, no-obligation chat.
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