Today's world presents a dynamic security landscape where even routine international stays can encounter unexpected challenges. Proper preparation significantly improves your ability to navigate these situations with confidence and safety.
Whether you're embarking on an Erasmus exchange, research fellowship, professional placement, or personal travel, the CTU Security Department offers these essential guidelines to help you stay safe and prepared for potential crises.
Pre-Travel Essentials
1. Basic Preparation:
- Create comprehensive backup systems for all critical documents - passport, identification, tickets, and insurance policies. Store copies both physically and digitally (for example in secure cloud storage).
- Email these documents to yourself as an additional safeguard, ensuring access from any device worldwide should your belongings be lost or stolen.
- Establish multiple financial backup options - secondary payment card, emergency cash reserves, and mobile banking access. Familiarize yourself with international procedures for blocking compromised accounts or cards.
- Share your detailed itinerary and contact details with trusted individuals at home.
- Keep important phone numbers written down separately from your mobile device and memorize at least one contact of trusted individual outside your travel group.
- Research and save embassy contact information for your country of citizenship in both your destination and any transit countries.
- Review your medication needs carefully, photographing prescription labels and information leaflets. Local pharmacists can often provide suitable alternatives when provided with this information.
2. Monitor the situation at your destination:
- Monitor current conditions through official channels like mzv.cz.
We recommend Czech citizens to register with the MFA DROZD system at https://drozd.mzv.gov.cz/ prior to their travel.
This complimentary Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic service provides:
- real-time crisis alerts for your destination (natural disasters, civil unrest, security threats),
- direct embassy communication channels,
- streamlined emergency assistance coordination.
3. Digital Security:
Physical safety often overshadows cybersecurity concerns, yet both demand equal attention. Public Wi-Fi networks, ubiquitous in airports, hotels, and cafés, present significant vulnerabilities. Avoid connecting without VPN protection and never conduct sensitive activities like online banking on these networks. Similarly, keep your devices under constant supervision - device theft can result in the loss of sensitive and valuable data.
Exercise discretion with social media sharing. Public vacation posts can inadvertently broadcast valuable information to unintended audiences, particularly when your follower list isn't carefully curated.
4. Personal Responsibility:
Summer settings and informal environments naturally invite relaxation, often accompanied by alcoholic beverages. Follow these fundamental principles: maintain control over what and where you drink. Alcohol from unverified sources, drinks left unattended, or accepting beverages from strangers can lead not only to health complications but also to serious safety risks. Remember - these precautions aren't paranoia; they're practical safety measures.
Vehicle operation presents statistically significant risks during summer travel. Exercise heightened caution when driving in unfamiliar locations, remembering that emergency medical care abroad involves language barriers and substantial costs.
5. Support Resources:
Should you encounter uncertain situations abroad and prefer not to immediately alarm family members, the CTU Security Department provides confidential consultation and assistance through dedicated crisis communication channels.
Our CTU security specialists are available to help you maintain composure and identify solutions during challenging circumstances. We encourage pre-travel consultations to address specific concerns or questions.
"Your safety remains our highest priority."
CTU Security Department Emergency Contacts:
Crisis Hotline: +420 771 286 909
Email: security@cvut.cz