Traveling Safely InternationallyFor Work or Pleasure

Thursday,April272017

Your PresentersSandraMitchell,Director,OfficeofInsurance

• SeasonedRiskManagementProfessionalwithover25yearsexperiencemanagingriskandinsurancerelatedissues.

ToddHolmes – ProgramManager,InternationalSafetyandSecurity

• 7yearsNGOSecurity:WorldVisionInternationalandCatholicReliefServices(MiddleEast,NorthAfrica,So.Asia,EasternEuropeandSouthernCaucasus)

• 10yearsNGOprogrammanagement:Guatemala,Haiti,DominicanRepublic,Egypt

• 3yearsPeaceCorpsservice- Mali

MIT Travel Related Insurance• ForFacultyandStaff

– BusinessTravelAccident(BTA)coverageprovidedwhileonInstituteBusinessandforLeisureTravel*

– BTAisthefinancingvehiclebehindtheservicesprovidedbyInternationalSOS.(ISOSisMIT’s3rd partyvendortoprovideemergencymedical,security,andnaturaldisasterevacuationandothersupportservices.

– ForExtreme(seeMITPolicy),confirmwithInsurancethatcoverageisprovided.– InternationalSOSmustbeusedasthethirdpartyassistanceprovidertotriggercoverage

underBTApolicy

• ISOSisaservice provider.Itisneitherasubstitutefor,norasupplementto,personalhealthinsurance.

• MITMedicalInsuranceprogram:providesworldwidecoverageforemergencyrelatedservices.(Canbesubjecttooutofpocketnetworkcostsandpotentialco-insurancecosts.)

• OtherMedicalInsuranceCoverage• Insurance.mit.edu

MIT Travel Related Insurance

(continued)

• *LeisureTravel:

• Onlycoststhatwouldnototherwisebeincurredwillbecovered.

InternationalSOS(ISOS)InternationalEmergency&SupportServices

https://insurance.mit.edu/services/international-travel/international-sos

• MIThascontractedwithISOStoprovideemergencymedical,security,andnaturaldisasterevacuationandothersupportservicestofaculty,staff,andSTUDENTSwhoaretravelingabroadonMITbusiness.(Coverageextendsfor14dayspriororafter[notboth]).

• CallCOLLECT:011-215-942-8478fromanywhereinworld.

• VisitMIT’sISOSprogramportalwhichprovidesawealthofresourcesoncountry-specificmedicalandsecuritytraveladvice.https://www.internationalsos.com/MasterPortal/default.aspx?membnum=11BSGC000066

• ISOSisaservice provider.Itisneitherasubstitutefor,norasupplementto,personalhealthinsurance.

InternationalSOS(ISOS)– Cont.InternationalEmergency&SupportServices

BeforeyouTravel

• ObtainISOSCard

• DownloadISOSassistanceApp.OpenyourSmartphone’sbrowserandgoto:app.internationalsos.com

• Oncedownloaded,launchtheAppandloginusingMIT’sISOSMembershipNumber- 11BSGC000066

WhentoUseISOSwhileabroad

Whileabroad,callfor:• Healthandsafetyadvice;• Advicefromanexperienced,internationally-traineddoctorormedicalprofessional;

• ArecommendationforalocaldoctororotherprovidervettedbyISOS;

• Supporttoobtainrefillsofmedicationorequipment;

• Assistancewithdamagedorlosttraveldocuments

• On-the-spotinterpretation

MIT Travel Related Insurance cont.

• ForStudents

• onlycoveredonMITBusiness(StudentStudyAbroadInsuranceProgram)andfora14daypersonaldeviationperiod.(Priorto/aftertheendofMITrelatedtravel).

• NOcoverageforleisuretravel- althoughsuchcoverageisavailableforpurchase.

StudentHealthInsurance– InternationalTravelOnly

• WHO:Allregistered studentsofMITwhileparticipatinginaneducationalorresearchactivity,orparticipatinginaclasstrip

• WHATISCOVERED:• MedicalExpenseBenefit*: $100,000 perInsuredPerson• Primarycoverageforthereasonableandcustomarychargesfor

MedicalServicesprovidedinthecareandtreatmentofsicknessoraccidentalbodilyinjury

• TOFILEACLAIM(whentravelingabroad)• CallISOS:011-215-942-8478(collectcallsaccepted)• ISOSMUSTbeinvolvedinthemanagementofmedicalservices

forcoveragetobeapplicable

*ExclusionsApply

StudentHealthInsurance– InternationalTravelOnly

• 1st responderofcoverage:MIT– InternationalStudentHealthInsurance

Ifnotcoveredherethen–

• 2nd responderofcoverage(excessprovider):MITStudentExtendedInsurancePlan– orOtherApplicableInsurancePlan

Ifnotcoveredherethen–

• 3rd responder:StudentResponsibilitytoPay

How many people see the world

How security managers see the world

Ranking the Most Dangerous Countries for Americans to Visit

ForbesMagazineMarch21,2017

• StateDepartmentissues“advisories”.– AretheyeffectiveinkeepingAmericansafe?– ArticlesmeasuresStateDep’tWarningsandUScitizendeaths(2009-17).

• Mosttargetedbytravelwarningsissued:Mexico(28),Mali(26),Israel(25)– Turkey(2016-17:7or8)but…”Americansaremorelikelytofacelife-

threateningdangerinThailand,Pakistan,andHonduras.”

• TopcountriesbyAmericansKilled:Mexico:598,Afghanistan:84,Philippines:74,Haiti:65,Honduras:46,Dom.Rep.:45,Jamaica:39,ElSalvador:34,CostaRica:27,Guatemala:26

Ranking the Most Dangerous Countries for Americans to Visit

• Correlationof#AmericanDeathsp.c.andtheNumberofTWs:Onthewhole,asignificantrelationship betweenthenumberofAmericandeathsabroadpercapitaandthenumberoftravelwarningsacountryreceives

• MostTravelWarningsinRecentYearsvAmericansKilled:Mexico,Mali,andIsraelhavebeentargetedbythemosttravelwarningsinrecentyears,butAmericansaremorelikelytobekilledinThailand,Pakistan,andthePhilippines

• NoTravelWarnings(in~7years)inseveralcountrieswithrelativelyhighratesofAmericandeath,includingBelize,Guyana,andGuatemala

• CorrelationofAmericanVisitorsandTravelWarningIssuance:Overall,countriessubjecttotravelwarningsdonotseenotabledeclinesinAmericanvisitorsinthe6monthsafterawarningisissued

• RelativelyLowRatesofAmericanDeathsinseveralcountrieswherearelativelyhighnumberoftravelwarningsissuedin~7years,incl.Israel,Turkey,&KSA

How do you determine risk?

WhatisRiskManagement?Theprocessofminimizingormitigatingtherisk

Whatdoesariskscalemean?Extreme,high,medium,etc.Howdoinstitutionstalkaboutrisksuniformly

How do you manage risk?• Framework

– Establishtheexternalcontext(SWOT,relationships,perceptions,etc.)

– Identify• thethreatsandthevulnerabilities

– AnalyzeandEvaluateUnmitigated(raw)risk• AcceptablevUnacceptable(ifunacceptable,mitigate)

– Treat=Mitigationstomakerisksacceptable• Accept,Avoid,Transfer,Reduce

– Monitor&Review

Risk Assessment – a process

Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Risks How do they relate?• Threats

– Externalevents– DirectorIndirect:Directedonthetravelerorwrongplacewrong

time(incidental)– Canbecriminaltoharm/harassyourpersonalsafetyoryour

propertyor– Hazards:weather,buildinginfrastructure,diseases,healthcareor

publicsafetysystem,etc• Vulnerabilities

– Personalcharacteristicsthatcanbeexploitedtoyourdetriment• Risk

– ThreatsxVulnerabilitiesandhowtheyinteract– Likelihood ofthreatoccurringandtheimpactonyouifitdoes– Canbemeasuredonascaleusingariskmethodology

Impact

RISK

Likelihood

NEGLIGIBLE No serious injuries. Minimal loss or damage to assets. No delays to programs. (1)

MINOR Minor injuries. Some loss or damage to assets. Some delays to programs. (2)

MODERATE Non-life threatening injury. High stress. Loss or damage to assets. Some program delays and disruptions (3)

SEVERE Serious injury. Major destruction of assets. Severe disruption to programs (4)

CRITICAL Death or severe injury. Complete destruction or total loss of assets. Loss of programs and projects (5)

Certain/ Imminent

(5)

Low

Medium

High

Critical

Critical

Very Likely (4)

Low

Medium

High

High

Critical

Likely (3)

Negligible

Low

Medium

High

High

Moderately

Likely (2)

Negligible

Low

Low

Medium

Medium

Unlikely

(1) Nil

Negligible

Negligible

Low

Low 34

Generally Acceptable Risk Reduction OptionsIngeneral,unmitigated&unacceptableriskcanbereduced inthreeways:

• 1.Reducetheimpact orharmthatisdoneifthethreatactuallyoccurs(pushingthethreattowardstheleftofthematrix).Measuresthataredesignedtoreducetheimpactofathreataregenerallycalled‘mitigationmeasures'.

• 2.Reducethelikelihood thataparticularthreatwilloccur(pushingthethreatdownonthematrix).Measurestoaccomplishthisaregenerallycalled‘preventionmeasures'.

• 3.Reduceboththeimpactandthelikelihoodofpotentialthreats.Inreality,manyofthesecuritymeasurestakeninofficesandoperationshavebothmitigationandpreventionaspects.

Arethemeasures,affordable,achievable,effective?

SampleSECURITYRISKASSESSMENT- Abuja,NigeriaCulturalImmersionExperience

Threat Vulnerability

Threat Impact Probability Risk(w/outaction) Weakness Strengths MitigationMeasures Risk(w/action)

TerroristAttack Critical(5) VeryLikely(4) Critical Lackofgovernmentabilitytostopattacks,notenoughmetaldetectors(includingatdorms,classroom)

Local provider regularlyseeksandsharessecurityinformationandrequiresbehavioral agreements

Providetimelysecurityinformationtoallstaffandstudents,usephonetree

Medium

Fire Severe(4) ModeratelyLikely(2) Medium Insufficienttrainingandequipmentoffacultyandstaffresponsible

Therearefireextinguishersindormsandsometrainingalreadyprovided

Addmorefireextinguishers, trainingandrunfiredrillsandofficeevacuation

Low

Epidemic/Pandemic Critical(5) ModeratelyLikely(2) Medium Beyondcontroloftheinstitutionandpoorhealthinfrastructure

ExistingPanFlu,SARs,Ebolaprotocols,SOPs

TrainingonhealthSOPsandmed-surgekitswithgloves,masks,cleaningsupplies,etc

Low

Kidnap Critical(5) Likely (3) High ToreachAbuja, mustflyintoKadunaStateairport(highriskarea)

Secure trusted transport is arranged for pick up / transport to Abuja (two hours away). Daylight travel only

Low

TheftfromAccommodations

Minor(2) ModeratelyLikely(2) Low Oncepeopleenterthedormstheyarenotmonitored

Guardsstopallvisitorsandseekapprovalbeforeallowingthemtoenter

Exertfurthercontrolonwhoisallowedinoffice,metaldetectorsanddon'tletvisitorsmovearoundunattended

Low

Riots Moderate(3) VeryLikely(4) High Beinginwrongplaceatwrongtime

Staffshareinfoonwhichareastoavoid

Stayontopofinformationandavoidcrowds/demonstrations

Medium

ImpactScore1- 5ProbabilityScore1- 5

MIT International Travel Risk PolicyForbusinesstravel(sponsoredorfinanced)

– InformstravelersofriskareasØModerate,High,Extreme

– MethodsMITusestosetriskareas– Morerestrictive.StudentsareprohibitedfromtravelingtoHighandExtremelocations• Processtowaivepolicyprohibition

– Nopolicyprohibitionforfacultyandstaff– RiskAcknowledgmentForm(forallcountries)

Reading State Department Travel Warnings & Alerts

TravelWarning

• StateDepartmentsuggestsconsideringverycarefullywhetheryoushouldgotoacountryatall.

• Examples

– Unstablegovernment– Civilwar– Ongoingintensecrimeor

violence– Frequentterroristattacks

TravelAlert• StateDepartmentwantsyou

toknowaboutashort-termeventwhenplanningtogotoacountry.

• Examples– Demonstrationor

disturbances– Strikes– Healthalertssuchas

H1N1– Evidenceofelevatedrisk

ofterroristattack.

Other State Department Risk Products

CountrySpecificInformation

QuickFacts• PassportValidity• BlankPPPages• TouristVisaReq.• Vaccinations• CurrencyRestrictionsEntry/Exit

Safety&SecurityLocalLaws&Spec.Circum.HealthTravel&Transportation

OverseasSecurityAdvisoryCouncil(OSAC)

InstitutionalMembershipAnnualCrimeandSecurityreports

– Google:OSACKenyaCrime&Safety(formostrecent)

– download

ThematicRiskReportsMembershipbenchmarkingandpolling

Issuing Travel Warnings & Alerts: ProcessIssuing

• Informationcomesineitherfromintelligencesourcesorpublicmedia

• AllofthiscomesoutofaU.S.lawcalled“NoDoubleStandardLaw”

• “…Thisisacumbersomeprocessanddoesnotresultinaquickturnaround.

Issuing Travel Warnings & Alerts: Process

Interpreting

• Wheninterpretingtravelwarningsandalerts,itisimportanttounderstandthatanywarningoralertiscarefullyweighedpriortoissuancesincethisdoesimpactallaspectsofUSrelationswithanygivencountry.

• “Eachwordiscarefullychosentoconveytheappropriatelevelofresponse”.

MIT Policy & Travel Warnings & AlertsCountriesarelisteddueto:

• StateDepartmentTravelWarningorAlert• CDCLevel3• Sanction(OfficeofForeignAssetControl– MITExportControladvises)

TravelWarningorAlert=Moderate riskrating(othertriggersareexamined)

Keypolicyconditionsortriggersapplytodeterminehighorextreme

• High:Authorizeddeparture,delaynonessentialtravel,embassyprovidesemergencyorintermittentservices

• Extreme:Ordereddeparture,EmbassyServicesclosed(unavailable)

MIT Policy and High Risk Student TravelUniversitieshavetostrikeabalanceineducationabroadbetweensafetyandacademicfreedom/freedomtoconductresearch.

Toensureduediligenceinreviewingcertainhigherrisklocations,MIThasapolicywaiverapplicationprocessinplace.

Ifabovemoderate,thestudentapplies,thehighriskcommitteereviews,thensubmitstotheappropriateDeanofUndergraduatesorGraduateStudentsforreview.TheultimatedecisionisprovidedbyMIT’sChancellor.

MIT Policy and High Risk Student TravelThestudenttravelerandsupportingfacultyareaskedtopresentthefollowing:

• Purposeof/rationalefortravel• Whywasthislocationchosenoveralessrisky(nonhigh)alternative?• Itinerarydetails

– Locationspecificitywithmap– Leveloftraveler’sfamiliaritywiththislocationandculture– Recentunrest(withinpastyearortwo)andtraveler’slocationinrelationto

proximitytotheareaofunrest– Localresources/hostsorsponsorsincountry– Howwilltravelermovearoundlocally– Accommodations(addressorcoordinates)and/ordescriptiontoproximityto

anywellknownlandmarks.• Researchhealth,safety,andsecurityrisks:DOS,CDC,InternationalSOS,othersources

• DepartmentheadandDeanofSchoollettersofsupport.

MIT Travel RegistrationCurrently• Informationforstructuredstudentprogramscollectedfromprogram

databases(TerraDotta:MISTIandHorizons:GECD)• MostDLCssubmitforHorizons• Filteredfortravelersbyincidentlocation

NewSystemTransition2017• Consolidatessystemtocollectallinternationalstudenttripdataina

registrydatabase• Filteredfortravelersbyincidentlocation• Willincorporatefacultyandstaff(initiallyvoluntarilyunless

accompanyingstudents)• Communicationstobereleasedsummerandfall• Proceduresunderdevelopment

Other Travel Registry ToolsProprietarySystems– MITtravelerdataisnotavailabletoMITtoquery

StateDepartmentSmartTravelerEnrollmentProgramSTEP(Optionalandstilladvised)• Step.state.gov• DOSusestocountcitizensincountryintheeventofanemergency• AllowsfordistributionofEmbassySafetyMessagestoregistered

travelers• Noncitizenscanregisteremailtoreceivesafetymessages

– Someforeignembassiesoffersimilar:Australia,Canada,France,Germany,forexample.

• DepartmentofStateonlyassistsU.S.Citizensbylaw• Stepvideo(1:30):https://youtu.be/hq6MM85LX5c

Other Travel Registry ToolsProprietarySystems– MITtravelerdataisnotavailabletoMITtoquery

InternationalSOSMyTripstool(optional)• Internationalsos.com• AvailableviatheMITMembership(11BSGC000066)• EachtravelercreatesauniqueMyTrips ID&accesspassword

– MIThas571MyTrip users(March7,2017)• InternationalSOSwillusetosendtravelersnoticesoradvisories• NotifiesMITifwehaveaMyTrip registeredtravelerinanincident

country.

International Coordinating Committee icc.mit.edu

– MIT-licensedonlineresource– Instantaccesstodetailedinformationonhowtowork

effectivelyacrosscultures– Howtoconductbusinessinover95countries– Toolstohelpenhanceyourculturalawarenessandimprove

communication.

Safety&SecurityHealthTravelLogistics&Checklist

LGBTQ TravelersiJet PRISM(PeriodicRiskIntel&SecurityMonitor

fortheLGBTQCommunity214Countries(someexamples)

Extreme – 21

u Afghanistanu Egyptu Jamaicau Nigeriau Saudi Arabiau Uganda

High – 64

u Algeriau Bangladeshu Botswanau Cameroonu Jordanu Kenyau Namibiau Russiau Tanzania

Moderate – 65

u Bahamasu Brazilu Cubau El Salvadoru Indiau Polandu Singaporeu South Koreau Turkey

Low – 33

u Australiau Chinau Colombiau Franceu Israelu Japanu Mexicou Philippinesu USA

Minimal – 19

u Argentinau Austriau Belgiumu Canadau Germanyu Netherlandsu Portugalu United King.u Uruguay

LGBTQ TravelersIdentitybasedthreats• Manytraditionalsocietieshaveunfavorableopinionand

socialstructurestosuppress,stigmatizeandevenseverelypunish– Ruralvs urbanattitude

• SupporttoLGBTQcommunitymaynotbeopenoreasilyaccessible– Presenceofforeignerscanelevatetheirprofile

• Notallregionsarethesame– WesternEurope,EasternEurope,NorthAmerica,Central&

SouthAmerica,EastAsia,South&WesternAsia,Africancontinent

LGBTQ TravelersGay

Lesbian

Transgender– Transitioning:pre-,during,post– Legaltraveldocuments

SingleorMarried

Socializing– Datingorwantingtodate

Lawenforcement/entrapment– Invasionofprivacy,personalmedia,socialmediause

LGBTQ TravelersRiskMitigationStrategies

• Understandlocalexpressionsthatindicateaderogatoryview• AvoidpersonaldiscussionsorviewsonLGBTQrights• Don’tacceptanythingyoucanconsumefromstrangers(tainted)• Mostintolerantcountrieshaveconservativesocieties,dressandactinaccordancewithsocialnorms.

• Transgendertravelerandbirthsexinpassports,changetoreflectyourgenderifyourcountryallowsthis.

• Youareboundbythehostcountrylaws.Littlerecourseforyourembassy.

• Avoidusingcertainkeywordsinsocial/electronicmediainhigherriskorcountrieswherebeingLGBTQhasbeencriminalized.

LGBTQ TravelersRiskPreparednessStrategies

• Knowbeforeyougo• Discusswithatrusted&confidentialMITresource

– YourMITProgramSponsororLeader– MITLBGTcenter– MITMedical– ProgramInternationalSafety&Security– InternationalSOS

• Personalelectronicdevices– Removeanydatingapps(truealsofornonLGBTQifgoingto

certaincountrieswheretherearestrictnorms/lawsofmale/femalesocialization)

• Don’ttravelwithcertainliteratureorarticlesofclothingthatcanbeattributedtosupportingLGBTQcommunity.

Issues for WomenKnowbeforeyouGo

CulturalKnowledge,Language,

GoingoutTimeofdayAloneoraccompanied

TransportationPublictransport:BussesandMetro,other(moto-taxis)TaxisandSharingEconomyproviders

Communicationsdevices

Issues for WomenUnwantedAttentionà Harassmentà SexualAssault

CreateBoundariesKnowyourarea,identifysafespacesLocalLawsCriminalizationofVictim

GettingHelp&SupportLocallymedicallegalMITInternationalSOS– EnhancedEmotionalSupport

Technology Tips for TravelersKnowledgeBase– kb.mit.edu

BeforeTraveling

• Contactcellprovidertodetermineifvoice&dataavailableabroad• ContactyourITsupporttoaskifasanitizedloanercomputerand/or

mobiledeviceisavailableforusewhiletraveling.• Backupyourlaptop,mobile,tablet• Backupyourmobile• SecureyourcomputerbyregisteringwiththeMITPolice• Secureyourdata• USEMITVPNwheneverpossible• Somebordercrossingsmaysearchandhandleyourcomputer/PED• ExportControls– certaintypesoftechnicaldataandsoftwarefall

underadditionalrestrictions

Top Tips for TravelersHerearesomesuggestionstoreduceyourrisksorlossesonceonthetrip

• Know/researchyourdestination• DigitizeimportantdocumentsandstorethemonasecureUSBandthe

Cloud(orISOSEmergencyRecord):passport&visa,itinerary,prescriptions,ICE:incaseofemergencynumbers,etc.

• Hotels– b/wfloors3and6(duetofiresafety/rescue)and– getanextrakey/card(dissimulatesifalone)– Roomsafe,ifflimsy,carryyourpassport(manylocationsmaybe

askingforIDsduetoterrormonitoring)– Peephole– Doorstopper(rubber/rug,wooden/smoothfloor,alarmed?)– Airbnb – noinstitutepolicy.CandiscusswithISOS.Generallyok

ifbusinessreadyinlowrisklocations.

Top Tips for TravelersHerearesomesuggestionstoreduceyourrisksorlossesonceonthetrip

• Don’tshareyourtravelplansunnecessarily/discussinpublic• Taketaxisfromreputablesources.Uber?CallISOSforadvice• Blendin/bethegreytraveler

– Dressconservativelyandappropriately– Knowyourroutepriortoleaving,walkconfidently

• Donotlinger/socializeinhotellobbies(especiallyinhigherriskcountries/travelwarninglocations)

• Carryadummytravelwallet/handbag(day’sworthofpocketmoney,oldexpiredcards– surrenderifconfrontedbyanassailant)

• CallToddand/orcallISOS.InformationisavailablewithISOS24/7tobetterplanyourtripbyknowingrisksandtraveladvice.

InternationalSOS(ISOS)InternationalEmergency&SupportServices

PlaySpottheRisk

https://spottherisk.com

providedbyInternationalSOS

WrapUp

Questionsfromattendees?