Whether you're a road warrior or simply travel for the occasional meeting, terrorist plans mean you must take each step of your trip with heightened consciousness. You need to play by new rules. It's not just about adding time for additional screening because as the attempt made on Christmas Day has proven, voyagers themselves may be the last and best opportunity to thwart terrorist attempts.

The days of passive air travel are gone. No longer can you afford to simply book a ticket, show up and expect everything to be taken care of for you.Those who travel often, especially those that could almost be considered 'professional travelers,' now must take responsibility for some of their security in every aspect of travel. According to experts in the field, airports can institute new security measures every day, but those efforts may or may not foil a determined terrorist. It will take concerted effort by all travelers.

Preparis, a global business preparedness company, has teams of experts working on fresh and accurate information about numerous event-based threats. The terrorism team has issued five tips that each business traveler should take to heart, to help assure safe and successful business trips:

1. Be Aware: People with malicious intent to cause physical or virtual harm do indeed walk among us. Be observant at all times and proactively look for things that are out of the ordinary - from a suspicious package to the presence of people acting strangely. If anything appears dubious, do not hesitate to inform security personnel.

2. Trust but Verify: Make sure that the buildings you visit are enforcing their security policies. First, understand the security procedures in buildings you frequent, from hotels to offices. It may include a range of measures, from checking ID to screening for weapons. It is your right and your duty to understand the security policies set in place for your protection - and to question when they are not being followed.

3. Timeliness is Key: You are likely aware of increased time needed for airport screening, so break your addiction to the 'last minute rush' that gets you to the terminal minutes before flight departure. Some international airports are significantly enhancing their screening process, so leave at least three hours for in-airport logistics when traveling overseas.

4. Establish Travel Alternatives: In this global and unsettled world, many things can happen that will force you to alter your plans, from sickness to natural disasters and beyond. Prepare ahead for interruptions in travel by thinking through the following:

a. Have a connection to make? Make it through larger airport hubs. This offers more flexibility to make flight changes if necessary, and may save time getting through security, too, because of the more sophisticated screening equipment located in larger facilities.

b. Have a pre-arranged meeting place for emergencies and flight cancellations, and consider a location outside of the airport to enhance your chance of connecting with travel partners.

c. You'll benefit from NOT traveling at peak times. There will be fewer people to screen; you're less likely to get bumped; and less populated times are less interesting to terrorists because their goal is to make as big a disruption as possible.

5. Practice Your Response: Many terrorist threats have been thwarted by the quick thinking and speedy action taken by other travelers and bystanders. Be on guard at all times, keeping your eyes peeled for the unusual. Know where help can be found, and be prepared to take action in case help is unreachable. You may be the key to spoiling a terrorist attempt.

Safe, efficient travel can still exist. Be aware, take your time, verify security, prepare alternatives for travel, and practice actions you may need to take. We can't and we shouldn't halt all business travel. Just don't approach it so cavalierly.