dentify your gaps in ISO 31030 with Vismo

Why ISO 31030 matters more than you think, and what most organisations still miss

ISO 31030 is an international guidance standard that helps organisations manage the risks associated with business travel. It provides a structured framework covering traveller safety, security, health, well being, planning, risk assessment, incident response and post-travel processes.

The aim is to help organisations fulfil their duty of care by ensuring they understand the risks their travellers face, put appropriate controls and support in place, and continuously review and improve their travel risk management practices. When companies first look at ISO 31030, the reaction is usually the same:

“Looks sensible… we’re probably doing most of this already.”

But once they scratch beneath the surface, they often discover the opposite. And the surprises usually have nothing to do with high-tech security or complex procedures. They’re far more basic and far more human.

First discovery: the humble mobile phone could be the weakest link

ISO 31030 talks a lot about maintaining communication with travellers. Sounds easy, right? Yet almost no organisation actually checks whether a traveller’s phone is up to the job. Think about how much you use your mobile when you travel: boarding passes, maps, WhatsApp, translation apps, taxi bookings, work email, photos, videos, hotel confirmations… the list goes on. Battery life plummets when you’re travelling.

We regularly hear stories of travellers wandering into a high-risk, geo-fenced area with 3% battery left, leaving no way for the company to reach them if something does go wrong. All that is required is to have a few basics in place: a battery heath check (mine is currently 75% so no matter how much longer I charge it for I’ve lost 2hrs of battery life in a 10hr day) a power bank, the right apps installed, and confirmation that everything actually works before the person leaves the office.

Roaming plans: the thing everyone assumes will “just work”

ISO 31030 emphasises reliable communication yet roaming is one of the most misunderstood parts of business travel.

Many travellers don’t know:

whether their plan covers the countries they’re visiting
whether sanctions or embargoes might block connectivity altogether
how expensive data becomes in certain regions

Some countries simply won’t allow a foreign SIM to roam. Others will connect but charge eye-watering fees. And if you're going somewhere politically sensitive, the network might not behave the way you're used to. That’s why more organisations are now issuing eSIMs from neutral or “friendly” countries, especially for travellers working in sensitive sectors.

It’s not about secrecy, it’s about avoiding unnecessary attention.

Speaking of attention… the VLR surprise

One thing ISO 31030 encourages is understanding the security realities of the destination.

Here’s a reality many people have never thought about: the moment you switch on your phone abroad, it registers with the local network’s VLR (Visitor Location Register).

Meaning: your presence is logged immediately, whether you like it or not.
In most countries, this is harmless. In others, especially where governments monitor communications closely, it can matter a great deal, particularly for people working on sensitive projects or for high-profile organisations.

It doesn’t mean “don’t travel.” It just means know what you’re walking into.

Technology: can be incredibly

helpful…

....as long as people actually use it.

Most organisations now have some form of travel-safety technology: tracking apps, check-ins, mass notifications, panic buttons, or all of the above.

The problem?

Ask travellers if they’ve ever opened the app and the answer is often “no.”

ISO 31030 doesn’t require a specific platform, but it absolutely expects organisations to test whatever technology they rely on. Not just install it test it.

And travellers need to know:

how to check in
how to send a location update
how to raise an emergency alert
what will happen when they press the panic button

This last one is where misconceptions flourish.

Some travellers expect a Hollywood rescue team. Others assume nothing will happen. The truth usually sits somewhere sensible in the middle.

A panic alert typically triggers:

an immediate acknowledgement
a call or message from a security or duty-of-care team
proportional support based on the situation

Not commandos abseiling through skylights.

Setting expectations ahead of time prevents disappointment, panic, and frustration and leads to far better outcomes.

The magic happens when people, policy and tech actually join up

Once organisations get serious about ISO 31030, something interesting happens. Travel managers, HR, security teams and leadership start working together instead of in silos. Travellers get better briefings. Technology is used properly, not just purchased and forgotten. And people feel genuinely supported rather than monitored.

It stops being a “compliance exercise” and starts being common sense.

The bottom line

ISO 31030 shouldn’t be about ticking boxes.

It should be about recognising the real challenges modern travellers face battery life, connectivity, data visibility, political realities, and the sheer complexity of using mobile technology abroad.

When organisations get these basics right, everything else becomes easier.
And when travellers know what to expect, their confidence increases and so does their safety.

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