Foreign Travel Briefing Program

Purpose:

The Office of Security (OSY), Information Security Division (ISD), maintains the Foreign Travel Briefing Program for Department of Commerce (Department) personnel and Key Stakeholders. ISD identifies foreign travel pre-briefing and debriefing responsibilities, and requirements related to foreign travel. Receiving security briefings in advance of foreign travel reduces the vulnerability of Department personnel, and information, to foreign adversary collection capabilities.

Policy:

Who does it affect:

The Foreign Travel Briefing Program applies to all bureaus, Departmental Offices and Operating Units to include government employees, contractors, subcontractors, licensees, certificate holders, grantees, experts, committee members and consultants who have access to Classified National Security Information (CNSI) or who hold a sensitive position (a position eligible for access to CNSI).

How do I self-report:

Personnel with access to CNSI or who hold a sensitive position shall self-report unofficial travel at least 30 days prior to departure via the Department’s Secure Reporting Portal. Upon return, a travel debriefing shall be submitted within five business days of return via the Secure Reporting Portal.

All contractors self-report unofficial travel through their company Field Security Officer (FSO).

For any additional questions or concerns, contact your Field Servicing Security Office.

Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) for Official and Unofficial travel:

Traveling to other countries is often necessary for accomplishing Department business. Staff may need to travel with Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) such as laptops, cellular phones, tablets, etc. GFE is susceptible to compromise, as such, the bureau IT office must be contacted to enable GFE to exit the country.

GFE should not accompany any traveler on unofficial or personal international travel, regardless of the destination country. Travelers on official business must receive approval to take any GFE from the bureau IT office.

Direct questions or concerns to [email protected] or contact your Field Servicing Security Office.

For information about foreign travel training to include requirements for official travel, please visit the Foreign Travel Training website.