Taking Your CAC Reader on the Road: Travel Security Tips
Work travel means maintaining CAC access away from your normal workstation. Hotel rooms, airports, conference centers, and customer sites all present unique challenges for secure smart card usage. This guide covers practical approaches to CAC access while traveling.
Hardware Packing Essentials
Before you leave, pack these items in your carry-on (never checked baggage):
Primary CAC reader: Your regular reader that you’ve tested and trust.
Backup CAC reader: Readers fail at the worst times. A second reader costs $20 and saves a trip.
USB extension cable: Hotel desk configurations often put USB ports in awkward positions. A 3-foot USB extension provides flexibility.
Powered USB hub: If using a laptop with limited ports, a small powered hub ensures reliable CAC reader operation even with other devices connected.
Power adapters: For international travel, bring appropriate adapters for your laptop and any powered USB hubs.
Airport Security and CAC Readers
CAC readers pass through TSA screening without issues—they’re just USB devices. Keep them in your bag or laptop case during X-ray screening.
Your CAC itself should stay on your person. Don’t remove it from your wallet or badge holder and put it in the screening bin where it could be taken or forgotten. Walk through the metal detector with your CAC; it won’t trigger alerts.
International travel may involve more scrutiny. Security personnel unfamiliar with US military ID cards may ask questions. A simple explanation (“government identification card for work computer access”) is usually sufficient.
Hotel Room Security
Hotel rooms present physical security challenges:
Never leave your CAC in the reader when you’re not at the computer. Remove it and secure it with your person, even for quick trips to the lobby.
Use the room safe for your CAC reader and any other sensitive equipment when you’re away. Most hotel safes accommodate small electronics.
Position your workstation so the screen isn’t visible from windows or doors. Close curtains when working on anything sensitive.
Be aware of cleaning staff schedules. Either work around them or secure equipment before they enter.
Network Security While Traveling
Hotel and conference WiFi networks are inherently untrusted. CAC authentication over these networks requires extra precautions:
Use VPN: If your organization provides VPN access, connect to VPN before accessing any DoD resources. This encrypts traffic across the untrusted network.
Verify HTTPS: Ensure sites show valid certificates before entering your PIN. Compromised networks can attempt man-in-the-middle attacks.
Avoid public computers: Never insert your CAC into hotel business center computers, library computers, or customer workstations you don’t control. Keyloggers and skimmers are real threats.
Mobile hotspot: Your phone’s mobile hotspot is often more trustworthy than hotel WiFi. Consider this for sensitive work.
Coffee Shops and Public Spaces
Working from public spaces adds exposure risks:
Shoulder surfing: Position yourself so others can’t see your screen or observe your PIN entry. Sit with your back to a wall when possible.
Tailgating: Don’t leave your laptop unattended, even to get a refill. Take your CAC with you or secure everything.
Physical theft: Laptops and CACs together make attractive targets. Use laptop locks when available, and consider leaving the CAC in your wallet rather than visibly inserted in a reader.
Customer Site Visits
Visiting other DoD organizations or contractor sites involves navigating their security policies:
Installation access: Your CAC provides installation access to most DoD facilities, but visitor procedures vary. Call ahead to understand base entry requirements.
Guest network access: Many sites provide guest WiFi. You may need to use this rather than connecting to their internal network. Bring your own connectivity solution if sensitive work is required.
Workstation usage: If the customer provides a workstation, verify it’s authorized for your CAC use. Using unauthorized systems can cause security incidents.
International Travel Considerations
Traveling outside the US with CAC requires additional awareness:
Foreign network access: Some countries conduct extensive network surveillance. Assume all internet traffic is monitored in countries with known surveillance programs.
Customs declarations: Some countries require declaration of cryptographic devices. CAC contains cryptographic certificates. Research destination country requirements.
Device inspection: Some countries may demand to inspect or access electronic devices at borders. Understand your organization’s policy on device inspection and what data you’re carrying.
Emergency contacts: Know your organization’s security point of contact for travel incidents. Have phone numbers accessible without relying on potentially compromised devices.
Handling CAC Problems While Traveling
If your CAC stops working during travel:
Try your backup reader: Rules out hardware failure.
Clean contacts: Travel exposes cards to more contamination than normal. A quick wipe with a clean, dry cloth may help.
Check certificates: If you’re on a fresh or unfamiliar computer, DoD certificates may not be installed. Download and run InstallRoot.
RAPIDS office: For card failures requiring replacement, find the nearest RAPIDS office. Military installations in CONUS and major OCONUS locations have ID card offices.
Returning from Travel
After travel, especially international:
Change your PIN: If you suspect any compromise, change your PIN at the next opportunity.
Report incidents: If you observed anything suspicious—attempts to access your equipment, unusual questions about your work—report through your security channels.
Inspect equipment: Look for signs of tampering on your laptop and CAC reader. Check that seals or security stickers weren’t disturbed.
Traveling with CAC access capability requires balancing productivity with security. Thoughtful preparation and consistent practices keep you connected without creating vulnerabilities.
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