International Travel Loaner Program

Cornell University’s IT Security Office identifies the use of loaner laptops while traveling internationally, and leaving your data behind, as “perhaps the most effective single solution you can implement”.  You can read more about their suggestions, and preparation tips here.

To help CALS faculty and staff better align their practices with the Security Office’s recommendations CALS-OIT has procured loaner laptops for use when traveling internationally.  These laptops are reserved for this use case only, and have a maximum booking duration of 30 days.

Hardware Specifications

We offer both Mac and PC loaners.  Our loaner pool consists of the following choices with identical device specifications:

• 13” Apple MacBook Air 
• 12” Dell Latitude E7270
• 14” Dell Latitude E7470

Specifications

Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, built-in webcam, mic, WiFi, and Bluetooth

Software Configuration

Prior to travel, these laptops will be refreshed to a default state, and configured with the latest supported operating systems and versions of the following software:

• Microsoft Office
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Mozilla Firefox
• Adobe Flash Player
• Java
• Zoom Client for Meetings

We will not employ disk encryption, nor will we install Cornell VPN software, on these laptops.  Import of cryptographic technologies is illegal in some countries, and exporting these technologies may violate US export law.  If you are traveling to a country that allows VPN technology, each loaner will have instructions on the desktop on how to install and use Cornell VPN.  If you are unsure about the import/export restrictions as it pertains to your travel, please see the resources within Cornell’s official International Travel policy.

Pick Up

When you receive an email that your laptop is ready, please stop by your local CALS-OIT support team’s office to pick it up.  We will review and ask that you sign our terms of service.  We will also show you how to login, and will answer any questions you may have.

Return

When you return to campus, please bring the laptop back to the CALS-OIT office from which you had picked it up originally.  Your booking will include a seven-day buffer to allow for the timely return of the laptop.  Additionally, please be sure to return any accessories and power adapters that where included in the laptop bag.

For security reasons, the system will be erased when it is returned to CALS-OIT; you are responsible for transferring all of your data to your own computer or storage device before you return the loaner to CALS-OIT.

Note: Data is not backed up. CALS-OIT is not responsible for lost data.

Using Two-Step Login

Users of Cornell’s Two-Step login should review the instructions for use when traveling outside the US.  In addition, some countries are subject to Federal export control regulations, and certain Two-Step Login authentication methods are not available there.  For more information on using Two-Step Login while traveling internationally, please see this page.

Remote Support

Should you require support while traveling please contact your CALS-OIT support team by either submitting a ticket here, or by phone in case of emergency.  We will provide remote assistance over the phone, and will use Bomgar to assist as necessary and as network connections allow.

CU International Travel Resources

Cornell University requires its students, staff members, and faculty to follow established procedures when traveling outside of the United States of America on Cornell business. The university provides guidelines for planning international travel and summarizes the resources available to assist travelers when they are faced with emergencies while traveling internationally on university business.

View Official Policy