Business conferences remain invaluable professional get-togethers that no amount of AI assistance or shifting to remote work can replace. They facilitate easy access to experts who might be hard to reach otherwise. Conferences are also ideal hubs for nurturing existing professional contacts and connecting with quality leads. Most importantly, they let you catch up with industry trends and show off your company’s own developments directly.
That said, conferences — especially international ones — are environments that can pose a significant risk to your confidential company data.
How, exactly? More importantly, how can you prevent this while still getting the most out of each conference trip? Here’s what you should be aware of.
1. Conference-Related Phishing and Social Engineering
Threats to company data can emerge even before a conference takes place. Planning for large industry events starts months in advance, with potential attendees and guest speakers receiving a range of messages regarding itineraries, networking opportunities, etc.
It’s easy for hackers to impersonate the organizers and slip their own malicious messages among legitimate ones. These might be traditional phishing emails asking you to confirm your attendance or download an updated event schedule, only to steal sensitive data or spread malware. They may also be social media messages from fake speakers or conference-goers designed to win your trust and extract information.
How to avoid: Treat conference-related correspondence with care, especially if you have no reason to expect it. Verify sender addresses and make sure that links lead to legitimate sources before following them. Follow up with senders via other communication channels if you’re not sure.
2. QR Codes
QR codes have become a staple of modern conferences. They’re often used as a means of registration for specific events and conveniently replace printed materials. On the other hand, attackers may exploit the hustle and bustle surrounding prominent conferences to plant malicious QR codes. These may take victims to harmful websites or download malware onto their devices. They’re also hard to spot, as even cybersecurity experts get fooled.
How to avoid: Only scan QR codes you find in the conference’s official materials or app. Even then, check the validity of the URL and don’t disclose sensitive company information if prompted.
3. Unsecured Public Wi-Fi
Attendees, especially those who traveled from abroad, spend much of their time moving around. They go between airports, hotels, cafés, and the venue, all the while expecting free Wi-Fi access.
Most will connect to a network named after the venue or the conference itself without realizing that Wi-Fi can be faked. Even if they don’t create fake hotspots and steal session cookies, attackers may monitor poorly-secured public Wi-Fi to intercept unencrypted traffic or collect exposed login credentials.
How to avoid: Attendees visiting from abroad would be better served to go online with a digital eSIM. Let’s say you’re flying to the States, then use an eSIM for the USA. This way you’d rely on a mobile connection rather than unsecured Wi-Fi. If you must use public networks, then a VPN can encrypt the Wi-Fi connection and prevent monitoring. Accessing sensitive company systems should be avoided even then.
4. Shoulder Surfing
Conference venues are almost always crowded, and many attendees communicate with their office or make last-minute preparations before their presentations are out in the open. In such an environment, it’s easy for people with malicious intent to look at your screen without arousing suspicions. Depending on what’s displayed, they may gain access to emails, confidential conversations, product information your company isn’t willing to disclose yet, and more.
How to avoid: It’s best not to use laptops and smartphones to access company information in crowded conference venues. If there’s no other alternative, position yourself in a way that minimally exposes the screen. It’s also a good idea to bring a privacy screen protector and obscure your keystrokes when entering usernames and passwords.
5. Device Loss and Theft
Conference-goers frequently bring tablets, laptops, and other devices to help with presentations or product demos. The hectic atmosphere and full schedules make keeping an eye on these extra electronics more challenging. Plus, large conferences may also attract thieves on the lookout for unattended devices.
How to avoid: Always keep devices close by where you can see them, and use a lock to keep laptops in place. A piece of technology advice to follow is to encrypt their storage drives and refrain from locally storing sensitive files even then. Lastly, the screen on each device should lock as soon as it’s not in use, and biometrics should be set up as the preferred means of access.
6. Overexposure while Networking
Establishing new business connections via networking events is often among the most valuable reasons for attending. However, it’s wise to approach even in-person information exchanges with healthy suspicion. There’s a difference between professional rapport and sophisticated attempts at extracting information about company structure or upcoming products.
How to avoid: Refrain from publicly talking about confidential projects and information. Verify the other party’s contact information and affiliation before sharing potentially exploitable business details.
Final Words
Business conferences offer valuable opportunities to build relationships, discover new trends, and grow your business, but they also create opportunities for cybercriminals.
By staying alert to phishing attempts, using secure internet connections, protecting your devices, and being mindful of what you share both online and in person, you can enjoy the benefits of conferences without putting your company’s sensitive data at risk.
A proactive cybersecurity mindset ensures every business trip remains productive, secure, and worry-free.
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