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:

On December 14, 2016, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) issued Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 3, SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf, Reporting Requirements for Personnel with Access to Classified Information or Who Hold a Sensitive Position.

On January 14, 2021, the White House issued the National Security Presidential Memorandum – 33 (NSPM-33). NSPM-33 directs action to strengthen protections of United States Government-supported Research and Development (R&D) against foreign government interference and exploitation.

Who does it affect:

This policy applies to all Department bureaus and offices and government employees, contractors, subcontractors, licensees, certificate holders, grantees, experts, and consultants who have access to classified information or who hold sensitive positions (a position which is clearance eligible). See, e.g., U.S. Department of Commerce, Travel Policy Handbook, § 3.15.3, October 2016.

How do I self-report: 

Personnel in covered positions who have access to classified information or who hold a sensitive position must self-report unofficial travel via the Department’s Secure Reporting Portal.

All DOC contractors/subcontractors must self-report unofficial travel through their company or who holds their clearance. 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 necessary for doing business at DOC, and staff may need to travel with DOC government-furnished equipment (GFE). As all information technology (IT) is susceptible to compromise, the Foreign Travel Policy's purpose is to establish requirements for safeguarding GFE and systems while DOC staff travel internationally. This policy addresses the use of technology (mobile devices and wireless communication) to process unclassified information while on international travel, including: 

1. Laptop computers.
2. Tablet computing devices (i.e., iPads and other tablet like devices).
3. Cellular phones or cellular enabled devices (i.e., hotspots and Wi-Fi).
4. Removable storage media (i.e., portable storage devices and memory cards).

Unofficial International Travel 

1. Users are NOT authorized to take any GFE on unofficial or personal international travel, regardless of the destination country.
2. Employees traveling internationally on official business must receive approval to take any government furnished equipment, to include laptops and cellphones from the bureau IT office.

Official International Travel 

1. Personnel approved for official international travel must:
   1. For infrequent travelers, submit a request to the IT Help Desk for GFE to support their approved international travel at least 14 days in advance. The request must include a travel itinerary identifying the departure of origin city and country, the destination city and country, and any intermediate stops, by city and country name, including flight changes or layovers, between the origin and destination.
   2. For frequent travelers, submit notification of international travel on official business, including the traveler’s name, GFE device(s), and travel itinerary to the OSSD Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Team here.

If you are interested in learning more about the Foreign Travel program, please visit the Foreign Travel Briefing Program, and review the Foreign Travel Handbook for more information. Direct questions or concerns to [email protected] or contact your Field Servicing Security Office. For information about foreign travel training, please visit Foreign Travel Training.

Failure of a covered individual to comply with reporting requirements and subsequent determinations made by the personnel security office may result in administrative action that includes, but is not limited to, revocation of eligibility for access to classified information or determined unsuitable for continued employment.

Training and Awareness Links: 

Counterintelligence: Know the Risk - Raise Your Shield: Travel Awareness

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

UNCSC Video: NCSC Video: Terminal Risk 

Unofficial Foreign Travel: SEAD 3: DVIDS - Video - SEAD3 - Unofficial Foreign Travel Reporting

Department Resources

Foreign Travel Briefing Program Handbook: This handbook identifies foreign travel pre-briefing and debriefing responsibilities and requirements related to foreign travel. It is applicable to all Department operating units and offices, including all government employees, contractors, subcontractors, licensees, certificate holders, grantees, experts, and consultants who have access to classified information or who hold sensitive positions (a position that is clearance eligible).

Foreign Travel Briefing Playbook: This guidance document informs Department Field Servicing Security Offices on processes and procedures to provide foreign travel briefings to their respective Departmental office or operating unit employees traveling internationally on official or unofficial travel.

OSIRC Foreign Travel Requirements Cheat Sheet: This document provides Department personnel with a brief overview of foreign travel requirements.