IT Security strongly recommends using a loaner laptop for any international travel, regardless of country classification, particularly when working with sensitive or confidential data.
Devices are also available to employees traveling for personal reasons who anticipate working on UTC projects while abroad.
Why Loaner Laptops Are Strongly Recommended for International Travel
International travel presents increased cybersecurity and data protection risks. To safeguard university systems and information, UTC recommends the use of loaners because they:
- Reduce exposure of sensitive university data by limiting stored information to only what is necessary for travel
- Protect personal and university devices from malware, theft, or unauthorized access while abroad
- Support compliance with university security policies and applicable data protection requirements
- Allow centralized security controls, including rapid response actions such as locking or remotely wiping the device if it is lost, stolen, or compromised
Using a loaner device ensures that university work can continue securely while minimizing risk to both the traveler and UTC systems.
Loaner Device Information
Devices:
Only Windows laptops are currently available for travel and are issued with our standard specifications and configurations. At this time, we do not offer MacBooks, Windows tablets, or iPads for International travel use.
Access and Software:
Loaner devices are issued with standard user access only. Any required software installations must be requested and approved prior to travel. Remote Desktop connections are also not permitted at this time.
When Traveling to Countries of Concern
UTC employees are required to use a loaner laptop when traveling internationally to countries of concern as identified by IT0002 Acceptable Use of Technology Policy. Countries include:
- A foreign county of concern as defined by 42 U.S.C. § 19237 located here: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/19237 ; or
- A foreign country that is the subject of a sanctions program maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Controls (list available here: https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country- information); or
- A foreign country that is the subject of a Department of State Arms Embargo as identified in ITAR § 126.1 (list available here: https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public/ddtc_public?id=ddtc_public_portal_country_landing); or
- A foreign country that is the subject of EAR Part 746 Embargoes (list available here: https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/documents/regulation-docs/420-part-746-embargoes-and- other-special-controls/file).
For more information about when devices are required please visit https://www.utc.edu/research/research-integrity/research-security-export-control/travel. "
Monitoring & Access Control
All travel loaner devices remain the property of UTC and are managed in accordance with university IT security policies. UTC reserves the right to monitor activity, restrict access, lock, or remotely wipe any device if suspicious activity, policy violations, or other security concerns are identified.
Request Timeline
Requests must be submitted at least two (2) weeks prior to travel to allow adequate time for preparation and approval.