Web3er Travel Safety Manual: a16z Security Lead's 6-Step Checklist

Original Author: a16z crypto

Original Compilation: Chopper, Foresight News

With the recent surge in crypto industry conferences and increased travel demands, Carl Agnelli, Head of Security at a16z crypto and former U.S. Secret Service agent, has compiled a practical personal safety guide for every Web3 professional on the move.

Step 1: Cultivate the Right Security Mindset

• Always be clear about what constitutes a "normal state" and stay alert to any unusual behavior.
• Distance equals safety. Rather than confrontation, maintain distance: if you notice someone acting suspiciously, leave the area or change locations immediately.
• Trust your gut instinct when something feels off.
• Take time to think through "what if..." scenarios.
• Start building small security habits now to avoid panic later.

Step 2: Stay Focused in Public

• Maintain a relaxed but alert state; avoid being overly tense, simply be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep your head up while walking or traveling, keep one ear free from headphones, and avoid being completely absorbed in your phone.
• Vary your daily routines periodically, such as your commute, gym time, and where you buy coffee or lunch.
• Avoid discussing sensitive travel plans loudly in public areas or ride-sharing vehicles.

Step 3: While Out and About (Day or Night)

• Walk with purpose, avoiding appearing lost or indecisive.
• Never walk home alone after drinking or during late-night outings; share your itinerary and location with a trusted person.
• Carry a flashlight or pepper spray, and have it ready in hand when walking alone at night.
• Never discuss crypto asset holdings with strangers or in public settings.
• Establish a meeting point with friends or colleagues in case you get separated.
• Do not post your real-time location.

Step 4: Make Travel and Hotel Stays Safer

• Practice "low-profile travel," blend into your environment, and avoid displaying wealth.
• Do not announce travel plans in advance or share your current location publicly.
• Make it a habit: upon checking into any hotel, first familiarize yourself with evacuation routes and stairwell locations.
• Keep shoes and a few essential items within easy reach to create a simple emergency kit.
• Be aware of anything unusual in your room and trust your intuition.
• Use the hotel safe and place something you'll need in the morning (like one shoe) inside it, so you won't forget your valuables.

Step 5: Additional Precautions for High-Risk Roles

• Crypto industry professionals can set up a decoy wallet with transaction history as a contingency measure in case of coercion.
• Avoid wearing company-branded clothing in public.
• Reduce your digital footprint: consider using data removal services and opt out of public property databases.
• Upgrade home security by installing cameras or motion-sensor lights, especially near entry/exit points.
• Avoid concentrating all assets or identity information in a single account or device; practice decentralized management.
• Practice noticing exits and cover in public places until it becomes an instinctive reaction.
• Use a P.O. box or office address instead of your home address; when possible, purchase property under an LLC name rather than your personal name.

Step 6: Maintain Security Habits

• Maintain a low-profile public image.
• Do not publicly share photos of family members.
• Regularly check home security: sensors, cameras, door locks, lighting.
• Conduct a quick "scenario drill" monthly to stay sharp.
• Regularly update digital security settings, including decoy wallets.