How to Use Technology for Enhanced Business Travel Security

Travel security is important since many issues can occur, from communication issues to data thefts, emergencies, and much more. While it’s nearly impossible to remove issues completely, travel admins can always help reduce damage that can happen due to unforeseen events.

Advances in travel management technology have made it possible to achieve these goals, making the world more connected and secure than it has ever been before. Anything can happen when on the road, but technological advancements have made it possible to make your business trips more secure.

Let’s dive deeper into this article to learn more about how you can use these technologies to improve your business travel security.

Travel management software

Preparing for an emergency will always require you to receive updates and notifications on any flight schedules and delays. A travel management company can provide you with the necessary applications that will help you send important information regarding local conditions, security alerts, and transportation options.

You never know what can happen on the road, a natural calamity, offshore emergency, health issue, or something else might cause you to rethink what to do next. Accurate and regular updates help employees make the decisions they need.

Travel management software empowers organizations to streamline their process of arranging travel and managing travel-related expenses that comply with travel policies. They provide you with advanced features such as travel alerts and emergency assistance, helping travelers with quick communication in case of any emergencies.

Travel safety apps

Similar to travel management software, there are plenty of travel safety apps available that you can use to help you stay safe on the road. Especially if some travelers are traveling alone, it’s important to ensure more personal safety around them.

If you have no options on your mind of which travel safety apps, here are some we recommend to use:

• EmergencyApp: This app was developed by the American Red Cross, and is a great resource for travelers. It includes 14 different types of emergencies and users can customize emergency alerts based on where they live and where their contacts live.
• UrSafe: This app offers voice-activated SOS that’s integrated with emergency services (911) in more than 200 countries, even when there are limited data services. Users who don’t feel safe or need any type of assistance can simply press a button to receive help. They can also share your location and have the option to start a live stream video to document dangerous real-time scenarios.
• bSafe: This is a personal safety app that users can use to create their social safety network. Users can invite their friends to follow them via GPS, set a time that will alarm their friends if they’re not back during a certain time, and more.

Travel safety apps are great since they can provide you with safety scores, and travel alerts for different locations based on their crime rate, health risks, and political stability.

Communication tools

Communication tools are highly popular when it comes to ensuring travel safety. If you want to use alternative options instead of travel management apps, you can consider using Instant messaging or video conferencing apps. Maintaining communication is important at all times and necessary for employers to provide help when needed during an emergency.

With the help of communication tools like emails, video conferencing, and other channels, employers can easily guide their employees through any unpredictable situations. Communication channels use data encryption methods that help employees whenever they are on a trip and make data transfer secure due to communication channels.

Popular communication tools you can use for increasing travel security include:

• Slack: Slack is an Instant Messaging (IM) tool that is used for instant communication and updates. Many times, some may think that Slack is only used for remote work, but just like you use other IM tools like Instagram, Facebook, and so on, Slack can be used for easy direct communication with your business team.
• Zoom: Zoom is a top-of-the-line video conferencing tool. While direct messaging is an excellent way of reaching out to your team, there’s no better direct communication than video calls since you’re communicating in real time. Zoom is a lifesaver for many companies and can host up to 100 participants in a video call for free.
• Microsoft Teams: Microsoft Teams easily integrates with other Microsoft apps and offers both messaging and video calling capabilities. If you want an app that offers both capabilities and want to get the most out of your corporate trip, Microsoft Teams is a great option.

Communication tools have connected the world more than ever and are now making it easier for us to stay in touch with our team and address any issue quicker than before.

Virtual safety training through Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

Technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) can be leveraged to provide safety training for business travelers. These technologies offer great experiences, allow employees to become more familiar with emergencies, and position themselves virtually in different environments. This training improves preparedness and equips employees with experience in responding to real-life travel scenarios.

Let’s take a moment and dive deeper into learning more about how VR and AR technologies improve travel safety:

• Virtual Reality (VR): Allows all travelers to experience destinations in a different form even before they arrive at their planned destination. VR headsets have 360-degree videos, allowing travelers to get a virtual tour of hotels and resorts, in this case, if an emergency were to happen, you’re better prepared for how to act in a real-case scenario.
• Augmented Reality (AR): AR immerses you in a real-world environment by converting virtual objects and digital information into the physical world. AR can display information near landmarks, restaurants, and other important information to guide travelers through unfamiliar destinations. This allows your business team to be more aware of uncertainties and to know what to expect, providing you with more information on whether the trip is safe or not.

VR and AR technologies have allowed business travel teams to become more prepared and aware of the safety of the destination they are traveling to. The VR and AR market is projected to grow to $62 billion by 2029, so they are great technologies to consider using to improve travel experiences.

Digital tracking systems

Digital tracking systems have revolutionized the way companies monitor their team during travel. Location-based and GPS technologies can track the real-time locations of personnel. This not only increases travel safety but allows quick responses in case of emergencies.

Digital tracking systems make it easier for employers and travel management companies to find the location of the employee and make the trip more productive since real-time locations are always available.

Cybersecurity solutions while traveling

While traveling, it’s not as common to pay attention to cyber safety as it would be when you are at home or the workplace. Technology has come a long way, but if you want to allow technology to protect you and your team at the maximum level while traveling, you need to follow these practices:

• Update your software: Regardless if it’s your security software, web browser, or operating system on your devices, it’s important to update them and conduct periodic scans.
• Backup your data: Always backup your data and make sure to leave the backup stored safely at home.
• Lock up your devices: Use strong passwords to protect all your laptops, tablets, and phones. You can use a strong password generator to help you with this.
• Use two-factor authentication: Make sure that all your team members are protected and are the only ones using their accounts.
• Disable auto-connect features: This is to make sure that there’s no unknown connection to networks.

Cybersecurity is an important part of travel security and is used to make sure that all of your team’s data is protected during their business travel.

Technology is helping us travel much more securely

Safety is a priority for business travelers, and new technologies are taking new roles in ensuring the well-being of corporate travelers. New technologies are offering better risk management systems that leverage AI algorithms for analyzing real-time data on geopolitical events, health concerns, and weather patterns.

The future of business travel lies in the hands of technology, which promises a more secure and interesting corporate travel experience. As these innovations continue to expand, businesses can look forward to a world that is more secure and connected than it has ever been.