Purpose: 

The Office of Security (OSY), Information Security Division (ISD), maintains the Foreign Travel Briefing Program for Covered Personnel within the Department of Commerce (Department). Covered Personnel are Department personnel with access to Classified National Security Information (CNSI) or in a position that is eligible for access to CNSI. Receiving a Foreign Travel Briefing in advance of travel outside of the contiguous United States or its territories and possessions, such as Puerto Rico, reduces the vulnerability of Department personnel, and information, to adversary collection efforts. 

Policy:

• Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 3, Reporting Requirements for Personnel with Access to Classified Information or Who Hold a Sensitive Position
• National Security Presidential Memorandum – 33
• Foreign Travel Briefing Program Handbook
• Foreign Travel Briefing Playbook
• OSIRC Foreign Travel Requirements Cheat Sheet

Who does it affect:

The Department Foreign Travel Briefing Program applies to all bureaus', Departmental offices', and operating units' covered personnel. Contractors are to report foreign travel to their Facility Security Officer and DCSA. See the OSIRC Foreign Travel Requirements Cheat Sheet for travel reporting requirements and required trainings and/or briefings depending on length of travel and location. All contractors self-report unofficial travel through their company Facility Security Officer (FSO).

• China
• Cuba
• Iran
• North Korea
• Russia
• Venezuela

How to report your foreign travel: 

Covered Personnel are required to report unofficial travel at least 30 days prior to departure via the Department’s Secure Reporting Portal. This permits enough time to process submissions and schedule a briefing if required or requested by Covered Persons. Upon return, a travel debriefing is to be submitted upon return through the same report in the Secure Reporting Portal.

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 to accomplish Department business. Covered persons with a valid need to travel with Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) such as laptops, cellular phones, tablets, etc. GFE must contact their bureau IT office to enable GFE to exit the country or be issued travel device(s). 

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. Field Servicing Security Office’s provides Foreign Travel Briefings to their Departmental Offices and Operating Units Covered Personnel.

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

Training and Awareness Links: 

Department of Commerce Foreign Travel General Briefing

Foreign Travel Awareness Training: Foreign Travel Training | U.S. Department of Commerce         

NCSC Video: NCSC Video: Terminal Risk