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Defensive Travel Briefing
Purpose
As a Department of Commerce employee, you have access to critical U.S. government
information. The purpose of this briefing is to ensure that you understand your responsibilities to protect the information, and to make you aware of security vulnerabilities associated with foreign travel.
Presidential Decision Directive/NSC-12 "Security Awareness and Reporting Foreign Contacts," requires security personnel to establish and maintain security awareness programs which include formal briefings of the threat posed by foreign intelligence services. The awareness program must focus on the intelligence gather of classified as well as other sensitive information. The Defensive Travel Briefing is part of Commerce's Security Awareness Program.
Applicability
This defensive travel briefing is required by DAO 207-1. When travelling abroad, Departmental personnel, including summer hires, temporarily assigned employees and contractors are required to receive an annual defensive travel briefing. Any individual returning from foreign travel of 90 days or more must undergo a security debriefing upon their return to the U.S.
Areas of Interest
Within the Department, we possess a wealth of information of interest to foreign powers and entities. Information regarding the Export Administration Act, ongoing negotiations, trade issues, economic indicators, industrial resources, production capabilities, manufacturing and other critical technologies, satellite data, telecommunications and computer sciences information, as well as numerous other types of sensitive information may be sought after. You as a Commerce employee, present an opportunity for a foreign entity to expand their knowledge about the information described above regarding U.S. capabilities and vulnerabilities in those areas. The information contained in this briefing regarding possible intelligence collection may even occur in countries with whom we are allies. For this reason, we ask you to be alert to your surroundings and aware of your actions at all times wherever you travel internationally.
The National Security Threat List
The FBI considers the following to be threats to our national security regardless of the country involved. Any foreign intelligence activity which is engaged in the following:
- Terrorism
- Espionage
- Proliferation
- Economic Espionage
- Targeting the National Information Infrastructure
- Perception Management
- Targeting the U.S. Government
- Foreign Intelligence Activities
If you become aware of or suspect any foreign intelligence activity in the areas listed above, notify your security officer.
Prior to Departure
Contact your security officer or the Office of Security at (202) 482-8355 to obtain the most recent travel advisory information. You may also want to contact the Department of State recorded message at (202) 647-5225. You can also reach the Department of State through the internet at http://www.state.gov.
Carefully complete your Visa application, as it will probably be scrutinized. If you are a naturalized citizen returning to your country of origin, your citizenship may be questioned. If you encounter such a problem, please contact the Department of State for guidance.
Leave behind any government identification which is not necessary for the trip. In addition, leave behind photographs of family members/loved ones which could be used as coercion by terrorists or criminals.
Carrying letters, packages, or gifts to individuals in other countries should be avoided. You may be viewed as a courier attempting to bring the material in for subversive or illegal purposes Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs in the country you plan to visit. Ensure that items you carry with you are not controversial or prohibited. If you are carrying prescription drugs with you, be certain that they are clearly marked (in their original container) and bring only necessary quantities.
The carrying of laptop computers is discouraged, but not prohibited. Expect that a foreign government will have access to your laptop and all information it contains. Laptop computers are also frequently targeted by thieves.
DO NOT TAKE CLASSIFIED MATERIAL with you as you travel.
Arrange to have the material transmitted by other approved means prior to
you departure.
Consult your security officer for guidance..
Upon Arrival
An accurate declaration of all money and valuables should be made at entry. Some countries give a copy of the declaration which must be surrendered upon leaving. It is important to keep receipts of all money exchanges, as these frequently are required upon departure.
Declare such items as cameras, radios, etc. to preclude possible explanations, customs charges, or confiscation when you leave.
Contact the American Embassy or Consulate prior to your arrival and provide your local address and length of your visit. For most official business visits, a cable should be sent to the appropriate embassy advising of your visit.
Use of public transportation is recommended rather than driving yourself. Many countries deal harshly with foreigners who are involved in traffic accidents. Taxis are the preferred mode of transportation. State Department advisories provide updated information regarding public transportation in the country you are visiting.
Your Activities and Behavior
Maintain a LOW PROFILE while overseas. Avoid clothing and other outward vestiges which
unnecessarily advertise you as an American citizen. NEVER engage in illegal activity.
Although you are an American citizen, you are subject to the laws of the country in which you are traveling. Use your best judgment to avoid any situation which may allow a foreign intelligence service the opportunity to blackmail or coerce you.
Do not discuss classified or sensitive information in any vehicle, restaurant, hotel room, hotel lobby, or any other public place. You conversation may be overheard or monitored by a foreign intelligence service. If you need to discuss classified or sensitive but unclassified material, ask the Regional Security Officer (RSO) at the embassy or consulate where you can have such a conversation. The RSO can also assist in locating a secure phone should you need to make a telephone call and discuss classified or sensitive information.
If you locate any possible surveillance equipment (microphone, camera, telephone tap, recording device, etc.), do not try to neutralize or dismantle it. Assume the device is operating and that ongoing monitoring is being conducted. Report what you have found to the RSO. When you return , advise your security officer of the incident. Never leave luggage or briefcases, that contain sensitive information unattended. This includes leaving your material in your hotel room. Departmental personnel routinely report occurrences of their luggage and/or briefcase being searched. If this happens to you, report the incident to the RSO and your security officer.
Do not leave documents in hotel safes.
A Foreign Intelligence Service may place you under physical surveillance or you may suspect you are being watched. Do not challenge your follower, but attempt to mentally note his/her physical characteristics, type of car, license number, etc. Good precautionary measures are to use well traveled roads and avoid establishing routine schedules and routes.
Never try to photograph military or government personnel or installations. As a general rule, avoid photographing police installations, industrial structures, transportation facilities, and border areas.
Beware of overly friendly or solicitous people that you meet. Do not establish personal or intimate relationships with these individuals as they may be employed by an intelligence service. Do not share any work related information with any person who does not have the need to know.
Do not accept packages and agree to transport them back to the U.S. Even if your friends, relatives, or professional contacts make the request, do not accept the package.
Avoid any areas where there is political or ethnic unrest. Avoid demonstrations and protests.
If you will be on an extended visit and expect to be writing or receiving mail, remember that it may be subject to censorship. Never make references to any classified or sensitive information.
If you are arrested for any reason, ask permission to notify the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate. In some countries, your request may not be immediately honored. Be persistent. Do not make any statements or sign any documents that you do not fully understand until you have conferred with an Embassy representative.
Crime, Terrorism, and Hijacking/Hostage Situations
The following information is not meant to alarm you, but is simply provided as guidance.
During your travels, it is very unlikely that you will ever be a victim of a crime, hijacking, kidnapping, or terrorism. However, sometimes dangerous and unforeseen events do occur to American citizens abroad.
Crime and Terrorism
Get as much information as you can about the threat in your destination before you leave. Do not become complacent in low risk areas. Situations can change rapidly. Generally, criminals and terrorists will strike when they sense their targets to be the most vulnerable. They are most successful when security measures are low and daily routines are predictable.
Hijacking/Hostage Situations
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Remain calm and alert. Avoid doing anything that would attract undue attention to yourself.
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Comply with orders and instructions without complaining.
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Be as general as possible if questioned and do not discuss anything which you are obligated to protect.
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Be non-threatening in conversations with your captors and avoid arguments and physical
violence.
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Prepare yourself for possible depression, boredom, and frustration in a hostage situation.
- It could continue for an indefinite period of time. Try to humanize the event as much as possible.
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Make any requests in a reasonable low-key manner.
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Try to establish a program of mental and physical activity if your situation becomes lengthy.
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Rely on your inner resources and think positively.
Emergency Notification Phone Numbers
Before your departure, it is recommended that you provide your family and/or a close friend with the name and phone number of you supervisor or co-worker so that you can be reached in case of an emergency. If any emergency does occur, persons needing to reach you should be instructed to contact you via your immediate office. If this is not possible, the 24 hour State Department Operations Center (202) 647-1512, may be able to assist others in reaching you.
Upon Your Return
Contact your security officer to report foreign contacts and any unusual incidents. You must receive a security debriefing if you have been abroad more than 90 days. You are required to report all contacts with individuals of any nationality, either within or outside the scope of your official duties, in which:
- illegal or unauthorized access is sought to classified or otherwise sensitive information
- you are concerned that you may be the target of an actual or attempted exploitation by a foreign entity.
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