Holafly Urges Employers to Provide Travel eSIMs for Secure Business Connections

The report says many companies maintain strict internet access policies for office and remote work but overlook account security when employees travel internationally. Holafly argues that providing a workplace VPN is not strictly enough. Although a VPN can protect data travelling to and from company systems, it does not determine how an employee connects to the internet in the first place, the company says. International travellers often have to connect to potentially risky airport, hotel and other public networks, and Holafly says the most secure organizations are those that consider the initial, secure connection.

Holafly also takes aim at travel security guidance that tells employees to use a VPN and avoid public networks. In the report, it says such instructions are not enough for travellers who are already dealing with other international challenges, and they leave room for misinterpretation about how workers should actually get online. By providing a travel eSIM, employers can regain control over something that has been left in employees’ hands for too long, according to Holafly. The company summarized that a travel eSIM provides a trusted connection from the moment a plane touches down, and argued that a strong cybersecurity strategy does not begin when the VPN is turned on but with securely providing the connection itself.

The report suggests employer-issued eSIMs could be welcomed rather than seen as another IT restriction. It says security is a top priority for 42% of business travellers, while many are left without their own coverage and have to connect to potentially risky public networks. Holafly is already known to some consumers, and it operates a Business Center where IT administrators can manage and distribute company eSIMs for international travellers. Once an eSIM is issued, administrators can send its QR code or details to workers so they can install the connection on their devices.

The report frames the issue as a gap between policy and practice. Companies may tell staff what not to do, but current policies often do not tell workers what they should actually do to get online securely, Holafly says. Its recommendation is that employers treat the connection itself as part of their cybersecurity strategy, rather than assuming VPN use alone will keep travelling employees safe.

Editor's Summary

Holafly's Summer Travel & eSIM Report says 53% of business travellers manage their own internet abroad and argues that corporate VPNs do not secure the initial connection. It recommends employer-issued travel eSIMs to give workers a trusted connection and reduce reliance on public networks. The report also notes that 42% of business travellers rank security as a top priority.