Executive travel has always come with security considerations, but today’s risks extend well beyond a lost laptop or an unsecured Wi-Fi connection.
With spyware, zero-click exploits, and targeted device compromise raising new concerns, TNCR Executive Research asked CIOs, CISOs, and senior technology leaders how they’re protecting executives and other high-value travelers, and what’s proving most difficult.
So far, most organizations have something in place.
One-third of respondents describe their approach as highly mature, another 33% as moderately mature, and 22% say they’re still working toward more consistent processes.
How Are Organizations Managing the Risk?
There’s no single strategy emerging from the responses.
Secure connectivity, including VPN requirements, leads the list of precautions at 23%, followed closely by mobile device management or endpoint detection at 21%. Another 15% restrict access to certain systems or data while employees are traveling.
Some of the more restrictive measures are less common.
Travel-only or loaner devices account for 10% of reported precautions, while just 5% require devices to be inspected, reset, or replaced after travel.
There’s also a noticeable split in how much access travelers retain.
One-third allow full access with standard controls, while 22% limit access to essential systems and another 22% provide separate devices or accounts for the trip.
What Has Technology Leaders Concerned?
The risks at the top of the list aren’t limited to sophisticated spyware.
Credential theft or account takeover and a lack of traveler awareness tied for the top concern at 19% each. Zero-click spyware or targeted mobile device compromise and unsecured networks followed at 15% each.
Sensitive corporate communications and access to confidential business, legal, financial, or board materials are also part of the concern. For executives with broad access across the organization, the potential exposure can extend far beyond the device they’re carrying.
Security vs. Convenience
This is where the early results get particularly interesting.
When asked about the biggest challenge in getting executives and senior personnel to follow travel security precautions, 56% chose concerns about convenience or productivity. Every other option received 11% or less.
The written responses added more context to that number.
Technology leaders discussed preparing devices ahead of travel, adjusting controls based on the level of risk, simplifying secure access, and providing more hands-on support rather than leaving executives to manage additional security steps themselves.
It’s an interesting tension in the early results.
Organizations are putting more protections around executive travel, but those protections still have to work for people who need to stay connected and productive while they’re away.
The Wrap
We’re only midway through the poll, and the conversation is still evolving. Every additional response helps strengthen the benchmark and gives us a clearer picture of how technology and security leaders are approaching executive travel risk without losing sight of the realities of how executives work.
If you haven’t participated yet, there’s still time to share your perspective.
