Ways to secure documentation

• Adequate security  Ensure that wherever you are based there are enough barriers to entry to give you time to shut down a PC or hide a document.

• Make copies of passports, including the photo page and any valid visas.  If possible,  it would be best to scan these documents.

• Share information with trusted friends and family by taking photographs of the documents and sharing them via a secure (encrypted) platform for safe keeping.

• Store digital copies to a Cloud Only share access with trusted people.  

• Don’t store all original documents at home. It’s the first place they will look and in a stressful situation,  you may be tempted to hand it over   Have a cover story of why your travel documents are not immediately to hand.

• Don’t store all copies in one place. It is better to distribute them if possible.

• Safe places What constitutes a safe place depends on your expertise.  Think about it beforehand so you are better prepared.

• Don’t panic Should they come looking for documentation, stay calm.

• Record the interaction If it is safe to do so,  have witnesses record the interaction.  Take the conversation to the street if needed.  The world’s attention is on the Taliban and they will feel the need to comply with the narrative they shared publicly.  

• Be prepared to lose the documentation Should the documentation be discovered,  you will feel better knowing there are copies as proof.