Where I sit to do most of my writing looks out towards the Baltimore Inner Harbor, including a public parking lot. Now that summer vacations are here, the lot fills with tourists heading to the Maryland Science Center, National Aquarium, and Federal Hill. Sometimes they apply sunscreen when they arrive, but hopefully they have done a lot more to prepare for their trip.
Whether traveling domestically or internationally, on vacation or for work, you need to get and stay prepared to have a safe and secure journey. CIA officers are not only expert travelers, but also know how to plan and pull off a a successful trip. Spy or not, it all goes back to being aware of your surroundings and assessing risk.
Pre-Trip Preparation
Before you travel, research the location and use this information to decide if you should visit your intended destination. This decision should also be based on whether you’re traveling alone, with another adult, or with children.
Start with the State Department’s website. If the location has a consulate, also check the consulate’s website, because that’s where the most current information about the threats to U.S. citizens is located.
What to look for:
Local security risks—crime levels, political instability, terrorism activity
Cultural and religious norms—to avoid unnecessary attention
Corruption and infrastructure reliability—police, border security, and emergency services
Natural disaster risks—floods, earthquakes, disease outbreaks
Have there been recent protests? What’s the government like? What’s the government’s relationship with the people like? Is crime rampant?
What are the general safety risks, terrorism risks, threats directed at foreigners versus locals, and risk of natural disaster?
When looking for accommodations avoid staying near government buildings, embassies, or high-profile landmarks.
Some suggest to not to use private rented accommodations because of security risks. Reliable hotels will have cameras and trained staff.
Once you’ve decided where to go, register with the American embassy before you travel so embassy staff can contact you in the event of an emergency or unfolding crisis. If you’re a U.S. citizen, you can sign up with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Download the ‘Panic Button’ app, which alerts your emergency contacts to your location if it is pressed.
Make a paper and digital copy of your passport. If the hotel front desk requests to hold on to your passport, ask if they’ll accept a copy.
Give two trusted people at home copies of every document you’re bringing on the trip, including your passport and health insurance information.
Write down important information: emergency contacts, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, the nearest hospitals or medical centers, police stations, and border crossings.
Learn how to reach the local emergency services. Calling 911 is not universal. Also have a list of allergies and medications, in case you’re incapacitated for any reason and first responders need to know. Always keep all this information handy as well as packing a first-aid kit.
Don’t dress too flashy, showing off extravagant items or money; blend in and look like a boring, unexciting, poor tourist. Leave fancy jewelry, watches, electronics, and other items that might make you a target to thieves at home. Consider getting a money belt to wear under a shirt.
Bring a solid pair of walking or running shoes. Not only for comfort, but also to be prepared to run or walk long distances in an emergency.
Carry $100 in $20 bills in case of an emergency. With $20 in cash, you can pay for a cab and get to safety.Don’t flash the full $100—or it might happen to be your fare.
Don’t post about trips on social media in advance or in real time. Only share plans with your immediate family and a close friend who can check on your home.
Always use the elevator unless it’s an emergency. Crimes frequently occur in isolated stairwells.
Learn some basic phrases to ingratiate yourself with locals. “Hello,” “goodbye,” “yes/no,” “help,” and “police” are a few of the essentials. These phrases might come in handy.
Hotel Room Security
Request a room on a middle floor. Being on the ground floor can lead to break-ins, but many countries’ emergency response personnel aren’t equipped to reach higher than a few floors off the ground.
Also ask that the room not be right next to the elevator because a thief can make a quick exit or the room at the end of the hall, where you are trapped.
Immediately familiarize yourself with the hotel’s emergency evacuation plans. How many doors are between yours and the nearest stairwell? Could you find it in the dark? In a smoky haze?
The automatic locks on hotel room doors can often be forced open and the chains can be cut. Use the deadbolt and also bring a plastic door stop, traveler’s portable door lock, or alarm to help further secure your hotel room. Besides criminals trying to enter your room, hotel staff have a keycard.
Call the front desk to confirm who is knocking on your door before opening it, particularly if you didn’t request a special delivery, turndown service, room service, maintenance, or housekeeping.
Behave as if your hotel room is monitored. In most countries you have no expectation of privacy in hotels, as well as Internet cafes, offices, or public places. Never leave sensitive documents or electronics exposed in the room. In some countries, hotel rooms are often searched. Use the safe, but know that it might not be entirely secure.
Choosing a well-lit and secure hotel or resort with good security measures can help ensure your safety and protect your valuables. In the case of theft, for instance, a hotel that has comprehensive security, including security cameras and well-trained staff, can immediately review security footage and hopefully identify an offender.
Most “Sweep your hotel room before you go into it” devices are worthless. If you think your hotel room is bugged, request another room saying the room is too dirty, noisy, or another excuse.
Tomorrow I’ll give you tips for Digital and Data Protection and Situational Awareness. Corporate and government officials are most at risk for their phones and laptops being targeted, but don’t assume you’re too insignificant to be targeted. Your banking, credit card, and personal information are all of interest to thieves.
The Red Purse of Justice is written by Amy Benavides, the daughter of a Cold War spy who writes articles related to her life, terrorism, espionage, history, and culture that she discovers as she writes her memoir.
Subscribe to make sure you receive her articles on Tuesdays (free subscribers) and Thursdays (paid subscribers). I also have a column on Fridays about common topics to help recruiters build a rapport with their targets for paid subscribers.
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