The increased use of video conferencing apps has attracted the attention of cybercriminals who exploit vulnerabilities. Many businesses are scrambling to find ways to protect sensitive information from hackers.
Experts recommend understanding how internal teams use communication apps like Zoom, Cisco Webex, and Microsoft Teams. Doing so makes it easier to identify risky practices.
Companies also need to evaluate business processes and communication tools. The right choice of online meeting applications can help firms meet regulatory compliance requirements while protecting trade secrets and intellectual property. Applying robust security protocols and policies bolsters cyberdefenses.
The most effective protocols and policies allow administrators to maximize control by monitoring user activity and regulating access to meetings. When intruders gain unauthorized access to your meeting, they can disrupt proceedings, steal confidential information, or share inappropriate content. They gain access to meetings by guessing or discovering authentication details.
The Microsoft 365 experts at OnPar Technologies have put together a few quick tips to protect your online meetings.
Protecting your meetings
Cybercriminals compromise security by launching different types of attacks. Your organization needs to implement robust safeguards against these risks to ensure worry-free meetings.
Here are effective measures your company can implement to protect sensitive information.
Prevent unauthorized access to meetings
Employ one-time meeting IDs and strong passwords to prevent security breaches. Also, ensure that all participants keep their authentication details private. The passwords should incorporate special characters, thus making it difficult for hackers to guess. Avoid sharing the meeting IDs and passwords on public platforms like social media.
Furthermore, consider bolstering security with the waiting rooms feature, which enables the meeting host to check participants before they join the proceedings. Restricting sharing privileges is another effective way to maximize the security of conferences.
Protect sensitive information
If you are planning to discuss confidential information, avoid naming the meeting in a way that suggests the topic is top secret. Cybercriminals will find the meeting alluring, thus attracting security breaches. Employing code words for sensitive topics is a prudent practice.
Encrypt your meeting
Data encryption is a critical step when planning to host video conferencing. Apps like Microsoft Teams protect data using advanced encryption methods. To maximize protection, keep your video conferencing application up to date. In doing so, you guarantee strong encryption.
Employ a virtual private network (VPN)
Securing your communications with VPN is a practical solution that can reduce the risks associated with online meetings. A virtual private network complements your existing public network. Teams can take advantage of VPN to communicate over the network in a way that connects individual devices on a private network. With a virtual private network, you can have peace of mind knowing that data encryption helps protect your information.
Ensure adherence to security policies and protocols
Adhering to video conferencing guidelines is vital to preventing security breaches during online meetings. Protocols and policies can encompass essential aspects of user authentication, restricting sharing privileges, banning the use of personal devices, disabling some features, and monitoring user activity. The failure to maximize controls during meetings can compromise privacy and security.
Educate your employees about the need to safeguard the integrity of online meetings. Attendees should understand the importance of keeping passwords and meeting IDs private. Additionally, team members must familiarize themselves with features like waiting rooms, muting participants, and disabling video sharing.
Secure the meeting transcript
If your online meeting app transcribes the proceedings, implement measures aimed at controlling access to the transcription file. You should implement unified policies to prevent unauthorized access.
Summary
Online meeting tools are essential communication tools that allow remote teams to collaborate more efficiently. However, your organization must implement policies and protocols designed to prevent breaches during meetings. The failure to secure video conferences allows hackers to steal sensitive information.
Zoom has seen its phenomenal rise to prominence curbed by security breaches. Many users around the world faced data exposures due to the presence of significant vulnerabilities in the app’s security and privacy settings. Some breaches known as Zoom bombing affected businesses, schools, and governments. Security issues allowed cybercriminals to take control of the webcam and microphone.
