Cyber Tips for Trade Show Season

Trade show season is back in full swing — booths are being built, leads are being scanned, and conversations are happening everywhere from show floors to hotel lobbies. But amid all the buzz, there’s another presence you might not notice: cyber threats targeting distracted exhibitors.

From lost laptops to fake Wi-Fi networks, exhibiting presents a unique set of cybersecurity challenges. Whether you’re showcasing machinery, software, or services, your digital hygiene matters as much as your display.

Here’s how PMMI members — and your teams — can stay cyber-secure from setup to teardown.

1. Beware of Fake Wi-Fi and Rogue Hotspots

Public venues like convention centers are notorious for having open, unsecured Wi-Fi networks, and cybercriminals take full advantage. It’s surprisingly easy to set up a rogue network that mimics the event’s official Wi-Fi name.

Tips:

• Verify the official Wi-Fi network name with event organizers.
• Avoid accessing sensitive systems (email, CRM, finance tools) over public Wi-Fi unless you use a VPN.
• Disable auto-connect on your devices to prevent automatic connection to “lookalike” networks.

2. Practice Endpoint Security — Yes, Even on the Show Floor

Exhibiting teams often bring laptops, tablets, and phones to run demos or collect leads. But these endpoints are often overlooked in terms of security.

Checklist:

• Ensure all devices are password-protected and encrypted, and that they are set to automatically lock when left idle.
• Enable remote wipe capability for all mobile devices and laptops.
• Avoid using personal or unmanaged devices for work purposes during the show.

If your machine is lost or stolen, encryption and remote wipe may be the only things standing between you and a data breach.

3. Lock Down Your Booth Tech and Screens

That unattended touchscreen kiosk? It might be showing more than just a product demo.

Pro tips:

• Lock all devices when unattended, even for short breaks.
• Use kiosk mode or single-app mode on tablets to prevent misuse.
• Cover webcams and disable voice assistants on smart devices (like Alexa or Google Assistant).

4. Practice Good Cyber Etiquette in Shared Spaces

Trade shows often involve shared business centers, co-working lounges, and even printing stations. These conveniences come with risk.

Don’ts:

• Don’t print confidential materials on public printers.
• Don’t log in to your work email on shared computers.
• Don’t leave USB sticks lying around — yes, “USB drop attacks” are still a thing.

5. Conduct a Post-Show Cyber Check

When the show ends, your cybersecurity responsibilities don’t.

Do this after every event:

• Change any temporary passwords shared during the show.
• Wipe any devices loaned to staff or contractors.
• Audit data collected at the show — ensure it’s stored securely and access is logged.
• Review access logs for any cloud tools used during the event (CRM, file sharing, etc.).

6. Make Cyber Hygiene Part of Pre-Show Training

Just like you train booth staff on talking points and product specs, train them on cybersecurity basics. Provide a checklist, short briefing, or digital guide.

Topics to cover:

• How to spot suspicious Wi-Fi networks, e-mail/text scams, and malicious links
• Handling lost or stolen devices
• Secure lead capture protocols
• Who to contact in case of a cybersecurity incident

Don’t Let a Security Slip Undermine Your Show Investment

You’ve spent months preparing for the event — investing in booth design, messaging, staffing, and logistics. Don’t let poor cyber hygiene put it all at risk.

Today’s attackers are opportunists. A chaotic, mobile, high-traffic event like a trade show is the perfect environment for exploiting lapses in attention and policy.

The good news? Most threats can be managed with a few simple steps and a bit of awareness.

Let’s keep our industry secure — one booth at a time.

Have tips to share from your experience on the show floor? Want a printable version of this checklist for your exhibit team?
Email us at cyberhealth@pmmi.org.