P eople are the greatest asset of any company, sokeeping employees safe is a top priority. For manyengineers, international travel is part and parcel ofthe job, be it visiting a plant in Mexico City or a

construction site in Manila. And with international travelcomes the increased risk of being targeted by criminals.Everyone’s heard the horror stories—from lost creditcards, stolen details and ATM robberies, to muggings,purse snatchings and even kidnappings—most of us knowsomeone who has been a victim. However, a few simplesteps can be taken to minimize the risks. Applying a littlecommon sense and remembering the three tenets of safetravel—being alert, anonymous and unpredictable—cango a long way in keeping business travelers safe.

ALERT

The key to avoiding many crimes is being alert inyour surroundings. When walking through an airport ordown city streets, walk purposefully, staying aware ofwho and what is around you. Avoid crowds, loud con-versations and arguments. Do not stand in the middle ofsidewalks to read tourist maps, go into a nearby coffeeshop instead. If you suspect someone is watching or fol-lowing you, turn around quickly, walk the other way andenter a store or office building. Speak to a securityguard, doorman or police officer. Avoid demonstrationsor large gatherings. Check the U.S. State Department’swebsite for a list of expected international holidays,demonstrations, parades or rallies.

ANONYMOUS

When traveling overseas, try to blend in with thelocals as much as possible; American travelers tend tostand out in terms of dress, manner and potential lack offoreign language skills. Dress casually where possibleand avoid clothes or backpacks with American flags,sports team insignia or other identifying marks. Leaveflashy jewelry at home—watches, earrings and even dia-mond wedding rings could make you a target.Remove identification cards from your luggage and

instead use a luggage tag that contains only your first ini-tial, last name and a cell number. Every evening, removepocket litter from your clothes, such as business cards,itineraries and hotel bills.Finally, do not offer information about yourself,

whom you work for, where you are staying and whereyou are from. This information is golden to someone tar-geting you, so if a stranger is probing, it could very wellmean you are being watched or cased for a crime.

UNPREDICTABLEIt is easier for criminals to target people who follow a

pattern. When away for short periods, schedules natural-

14TransActions www.asse.org 2011

ly tend to be more unpredictable because every day isdifferent, and it is important that you follow this throughwhen away for longer periods. Leaving your hotel at dif-ferent times, using different exits and entrances, takingdifferent routes when walking or driving, and dining atdifferent restaurants all help vary your routine.

HOW TO KEEP SAFE AT THE AIRPORT

•When traveling to unfamiliar countries, arrange to bemet at the airport by a local contact.•If a driver is scheduled to pick you up, ask for the

driver’s photo and identification number or for a code-word. On arrival, check that the details match.•If you cannot arrange for a driver beforehand, always

use official airport taxi queues and never enter unli-censed cabs.

HOW TO KEEP SAFE IN TAXIS•When taking unmetered taxis, always agree on the

BY KEVIN HENRYAIR TRAVEL

When walking through an airport or down city streets, walk purposefu

TheThreeTenets of SafeTravel

15TransActions www.asse.org 2011

fare before starting the journey—you do not want toattract attention by getting into an argument with anunscrupulous driver.

•Ask hotel staff or local contacts to advise on appro-priate fares to common destinations.•Always sit in the rear of the taxi, lock the doors and

keep the windows rolled up.•Do not display large amounts of cash when paying

the driver.

HOW TO KEEP SAFE AT HOTELS•Criminals often target hotels for their tourists. Use

different hotel entrances and exits during your stay andtry to keep your schedule unpredictable.•When booking a hotel, ask a local contact for safe

recommendations.•Try to book rooms that are above the second floor

(lower floors are more vulnerable to robberies) andbelow the fifth floor (still low enough for a rescue ladderto reach in the event of an emergency).•Always make use of the hotel safe for valuables and

get a receipt for what is left in the safe.

•When in the room, always lock the door using allavailable locks.•Always use the peephole to identify those who

knock. Never open the door for a complete stranger orunexpected visitor.•Do not place the in-room breakfast menu on your

door at night. This sends a message that a single personis in the room.•When leaving a hotel, use a client or hotel-approved

driver or have the hotel call you a taxi from theirapproved list.

BEFORE YOU GO

It is always wise to do a little research before youleave on an international trip. Check the Internet forinformation about your destination—find out about localconditions and events that may cause disruptions, suchas national holidays, elections,demonstrations or planned strikes.Learn the local customs and tradi-tions and respect local laws and reli-gious practices. The U.S. StateDepartment, the CIA’s WorldFactbook and the Overseas SecurityAdvisory Council all have goodcountry-specific information.Additionally, the U.S. StateDepartment’s website has a free pro-gram where travelers can registertheir international trip to receive thelatest travel updates, warnings and alerts.International travel can be an enriching and enjoyable

experience, but safety is key to protecting your intellec-tual capital. Remember and apply the three tenets to helpminimize the risks while away. �Kevin Henry is a vice president for Hiscox’s Global ResponseDivision, specializing in kidnap, ransom and extortion insurance.

Henry has spent more than 15 years working in the interna-tional risk assessment and insurance field. He has worked domes-tically and abroad as an international risk assessment andinsurance specialist. His experience includes consulting with U.S.and foreign-owned multinational firms in developing risk manage-ment plans to protect employees, property and operations exposedto various international risks.

He is an adjunct professor and guest lecturer on terrorism andcounterterrorism at various area universities and is an activemember of the International Association for Counterterrorism andSecurity Professionals.

Henry, a U.S. Navy veteran, holds a B.S. in Economics fromWest Chester University and an M.B.A. fromWilmingtonUniversity. He holds a certificate degree in Terrorism andNational Security Management from Kaplan University, and he isa graduate of the U.S. State Department’s Security OverseasSeminar and the FBI’s Citizens’Academy.

lly, staying aware of who and what is around you.

International travelcan be an enrichingand enjoyableexperience, butsafety is key to pro-tecting your intel-lectual capital.