Guidance for Securing Video Conferencing in 2024
During the time period covered by Covid-19, video conferencing became more commonplace. Every institution, from universities to corporations, has gone online. The widespread use of video conferencing and virtual meetings, however, has led to an increase in the number of bugs and security leaks. As a result, the most pressing issue is how to safeguard video conferences. This post serves as a comprehensive approach to protecting your next video conference.
Step-by-step guidance on Secure Video Conferencing
Users may take several measures to improve the safety of video conferencing. These measures are the cornerstone of a secure online conference.
1. System Upgrading
Those using antiquated technologies leave themselves vulnerable to hacking attempts. The vulnerabilities in your system are the entry point for hackers. They do whatever they can to compromise your data, platform, or resources, including various types of identity theft. For this reason, it is crucial to always use the most recent versions of software and video conferencing applications to protect against any vulnerabilities. Investing in up-to-date security measures can keep your data safe from potential attackers.
2. End encryption with 128-bit AES
Intruders may view data transfers on a wide variety of public and private networks. Lots of information is sent in the form of phone calls, screen captures, scanner app for iPhone and uploaded documents during a video conference. As a result, we don’t want the data transfer to be subject to cyberattacks, thus we utilize end-to-end encryption using AES key lengths of 128 bits. It guarantees the video conferencing platform in order to safeguard the information sent between its users during sessions. The system offers encryption and decryption features for all video conferences, making them highly secure and resistant to hacking efforts.
3. Conduct regular security audits
Business video conferencing software benefits from the early detection of security risks. Owners should do security checks on the system often and keep a lookout for any suspicious behavior. While doing the audit, you should focus on finding the weak points in the systems and how to fix them. Devote a lot of effort to teaching your personnel about cybersecurity risks and the measures they may take to keep your platform safe.
4. Use a Domain-Based Security Method
It is possible for company owners to provide their employees with robust security options and authorization controls by using a domain model. Domain-based security is essential for access management (controlling who is allowed into classes and meetings). Participants in the next online conference will require the organizer’s approval. This is done for safety reasons since it prevents unwanted logins.
5. Using Two-Factor Authentication
When compared to online conferences that simply need a single sign-on (SSO), those that use two-factor authentication provide an extra layer of protection to make sure that only invited participants may join. Hackers will have a more difficult time gaining access to the video-calling conference room even if they know the user’s sign-in password if they are also needed to get a code through text conference before entering the room. This one-time-use text code is intended to be used only once.
6. Observing the Regulations
A safe video conferencing service follows all the rules of the internet when it comes to user privacy. The most important guidelines for handling user information are as follows:
HIPAA: Decisions made under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act are crucial for businesses operating in the telemedicine sector. So, it protects the privacy of the patient’s health records and data while imposing strict limits on the transmission of such information.
Telemedicine app development should adhere to strict guidelines imposed by HIPAA to ensure that sensitive health records are securely transmitted and stored.
GDPR: European Union individuals’ privacy rights are enumerated in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (GDPR), a piece of EU legislation. You must comply with these rules if you utilize online video conferencing in any member state of the European Union.
User’s safety is the least of your worries if you don’t adhere to these rules, and you might be hit with hefty fines if you do.
High degrees of security are provided by Secure Video APIs regardless of whether or not they follow these guidelines. They let you provide your customers with the greatest possible online conference experience while you focus on other matters.
7. Allow users security policies
Experts also advise creating security guidelines to aid consumers in protecting their online video conference conversations. Here’s an example:
· Keep conference call privacy intact, make conversations less revealing of confidential information.
· If a web camera or microphone isn’t being used, turn it off.
· Keep your personal electronics out of your online meetings and don’t broadcast your every move.
It is hoped that the following advice would assist users in establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries during video conference sessions. What’s more, it encourages individuals to be proactive in their own protection.
8. Set automatic updates to on
By turning on automatic updates, you can be certain that your video conferencing software is always up-to-date with the most current fixes and enhancements. That’s why it’s important to always enable system and security updates.
9. Verify links before opening
Sharing information quickly in the here and now makes heavy use of links. Malicious cyberattacks might occur from improper use of these tools. Always double-check the meeting connection before starting. If you are invited to a video conference, be sure that the invite comes from somebody reliable. In addition, before you choose to click the meeting link, make sure it is correct. Avoid clicking on links that end with “.exe,” for instance. Password-protected URLs are an excellent security measure. Avoid sharing meeting links at any cost.
Never share a video conference connection online. Guests should be warned not to share the meeting link. The only acceptable method of invitation by the host is via video conferencing. When meeting URLs are shared and reused, it’s quite easy for hackers to join what should be a safe video conference. You should enable alerts so that you are notified if an unauthorized person enters the meeting. This is another instance when a digital waiting area would be quite helpful. If you see anything, say something. Report any suspicious behavior to your security and IT departments. If you’re using third-party video conferencing software, make sure you notify the developer about the security issue.
10. Individual meeting IDs for each occasion
Using the same meeting ID for all of your meetings has some benefits, but it’s also hazardous. We recommend coming up with a different password for each gathering. They shouldn’t let anybody outside of the meeting know that ID was required to enter. Alternatively, you may direct your workers to choose that option whenever a video conference is scheduled. It’s important to choose a video conferencing provider that uses unique video IDs as its standard method of identification.
Conclusion
Video conferences have been in trend since the days remote working becomes more popular. Now, collaboration opportunities have no boundaries but data breaching and data eavesdropping are also at their peak. Keeping in view all the relevant security measures, enterprises can save themselves from video call data privacy concerns.
About the Author / Akeem Okunola
