High risk of cyber attacks during business travel: A daily reminder

The digital transformation process in German companies is progressing rapidly. More and more operations are being performed online. But inadequately protected systems provide cybercriminals with many opportunities to obtain sensitive data and information and sabotage devices. Companies are particularly vulnerable during business trips.

Decision makers are well aware of the risk: nearly two-thirds rated the risk of cyber attacks during their business trip as high. Three-quarters of business travelers receive a high level of information from their company about cyber risks during their trip. These are the results of the “Cybersecurity 2023 Short Representative Survey” as part of Chefsache Business Travel, an initiative of travel management companies. German Travel Association (DRV).

Employees are often a potential vulnerability when it comes to cybersecurity, especially during business travel, where they represent one of the most significant security vulnerabilities. Business travelers’ awareness of potential threats and the protection mechanisms available to them is critical to overall cybersecurity across the organization. 63% of those surveyed rated the risk of cyber attacks as high. Only eight percent give this very little importance. Business travelers from companies with more than 500 employees in Germany (70 percent) tend to rate the risk of cybercrime during business trips much higher than employees of small companies (56 percent).

Employers provide good information

Knowledge of the topic and risks is no coincidence: 76 percent of survey respondents said their companies provided them with a high level of information about cyber risks during their travels. Only three percent of employers don’t do this at all.

The information also fits with the fact that nine out of ten companies regularly need IT security training on codes of conduct as well as special training courses with a variety of topics. More companies with more than 500 employees (84 percent) provide information about public information such as phishing and spam than those with fewer employees (64 percent).

Information about cyber risks is very important

About nine out of ten respondents think it is important to get information about cyber risks. Only one in ten think this is irrelevant. For the 62 percent of frequent travelers who take more than three trips a month, getting more information about cybersecurity is very important. For the 48% of respondents who take one or two business trips a month, this is “somewhat important.”

“These results show that the business world is aware of the challenges associated with cybersecurity when traveling and is taking appropriate measures to protect themselves, their employees and, last but not least, sensitive data,” says Tilman Zeitz, Director of Account Management at DACH. and the UK at Amex GBT Egencia. “This is an encouraging sign of responsible corporate governance. Business travel agencies are also available to provide advice, support and applications for all other safety-related questions when travelling, effective handling and short-term re-booking in the event of disruptions and travel expense reporting – cybersecurity is part of the overall package.”