Before leaving:

Do some research. Familiarize yourself with your destination by speaking to a representative at that country’s local consulate and to people who have been there. Check the travel advisories of the U.S. Department of State and British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Make a plan. Make sure your company has a written emergency plan so employees, managers, risk consultants, and security agencies are on the same page if anything happens. The International Association of Professional Security Consultants and ASIS International have lists of security consultants. The National Hostage Survival Training Center  provides training in crisis management via simulated kidnapping scenarios and DVDs, which some companies include on their employee intranets. KeepYouSafe.com offers digital safe-deposit boxes where people can upload copies of their passports, medical records, and other personal information.

Go shopping. Invest in a jammer for the hotel door (some include an alarm); a passport and cash holder you can wear under your clothes; and a cheap decoy wallet containing a few dollars and some expired credit cards for fooling muggers. Mace offers both pros and cons, so make sure you learn how to use it correctly.

See a doctor: Visit a travel specialist as soon as you get your assignment, as some immunizations have side effects or require a series of shots over time. Purchase global health insurance that includes emergency evacuation coverage. Pack a medicine kit for colds, infections, cuts, and gastrointestinal distress. Keep all medications in their original packaging.

After arriving:  
Be unpredictable. Vary your daily route, so possible attackers won’t know when you’ll be in a particular place. Have meals in different locations and in well-trafficked areas. Avoid deserted parking lots. When leaving from a garage, don’t open the main door until the car doors are locked and the engine is running.

Create a mobile fortress. Register with the local American consulate. Stay at a reputable business hotel or, if that’s a potential target, an exclusive hotel or bed-and-breakfast in a populated, upscale area. If you have to travel around, ask your company to provide a driver trained in defensive techniques, or even an armed guard. Take only licensed taxis called by the hotel. Carry a mobile phone programmed with numbers for local police and embassies.

Blend in. Don’t display signs of wealth or outsider status. Wear low-key clothing; don’t bring fancy luggage or use your business cards as ID tags. Be quiet and respectful and avoid local publicity. Memorize essential foreign words and phrases. Abstain from excessive drinking and other judgment-impairing activities.

Don’t be a cowboy. If you do get kidnapped or illegally detained, be as respectful and cooperative as possible. If you’re fluent in the local language, don’t let on; eavesdropping is a good way to learn important information.