Top 10 Video Conferencing Security Issues That Place You and Your Information at Risk

Top 10 Video Conferencing Security Issues That Place You and Your Information at Risk
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Why Should You be Concerned with Video Conferencing Security?

Identity theft is probably the biggest concern most people have when it comes to thinking about issues involved in enterprise security: we want to make sure that our identities are safe. Secondary to that is data security, because knowledge is an asset, and many individuals make money due to intellectual property, we want to keep our data under lock and key. You should be concerned particularly with security in video conferences. Why? Unlike a hacker breaking into your email or computer, hackers who break into video conferencing software will be able to survey your surroundings. Before you can ensure that your video conferences are secure, you should be familiar with the top ten video conferencing security issues.

1. So That’s Who Jane (John) Doe Is!

Identity thieves, sometimes take it further than simply using your information to order things from a catalog! In fact, some hackers may be doing so in order to be able to pass off as you in other situations. If an identity thief can observe you, your mannerisms, and your matter of dress, they may impersonate you.

2. I Have Complete Control!

If you have not secured your web conference properly, then a hacker could invade, and take over, your video conference. In order to protect your team from this experience, you will want to be sure to follow all the security protocols, and be absolutely sure you are using the most secure video conferencing agent your company can afford.

3. Not Everyone is Trustworthy!

If you are having a video conference, chances are people in the conference are from all over the world. Setting aside for a moment hacking concerns for security, there could be a security breech in those attending the conference. Be absolutely sure that if individuals in the conference do not know one another in real life (or are not a regular part of your team) that you do not share personal information about anyone and that you do not ask for sensitive information to be disclosed. In any case, the video conference room is not the place to do this anyway.

4. Unauthorized Recording is Not Permitted!

If you are running a video conferencing seminar on trade secrets, or on a topic for which you have charged participants to attend, you will need to make sure that recording in the conference cannot take place. You do not want the attendees to bootleg a copy of your seminar and sell it for their own profit. One method of doing this is to use a web conferencing agent that does not allow for recording. Also, take a moment to remind individuals that recording is not permitted, while it won’t completely deter someone who is determined to record your seminar, it may slow them down.

5. Nesting Windows Are Evil!

Especially if you are sharing screens while you are in the midst of a web video conference, nesting windows can reveal information to others you had not planned to share. Ensure before beginning the video conference that all of your windows except for those you will be using in the conference are closed.

6. Using Software That’s Meant to Be Secure May Not Be the Best Use of Video Conferencing!

If you’re planning to use video conferencing to do a demo of that top secret project your company has been working on, you might want to think again. Before you use software that ordinarily carries high security protections in a video conference, you will want to be sure that this software will remain secure while you are in your teleconference. Check the software you are using and take all possible steps to encrypt the information you will be transmitting.

7. Not Understanding How Video Conferencing Security Works is a Big Deal

If you don’t know how something works, how are you going to be able to use it to the greatest efficiency possible? Be sure that you take the time to learn the ins and outs of conferencing security. By taking the time to do your homework, you can circumvent many of the problems that could otherwise occur if you’re unsure as to what you’re doing.

8. The Mole From the Competition Has Arrived

You do not only need to worry about identity theft when it comes to video conferencing, nor do you need to worry only about hackers who want to record your proprietary seminar, but you also need to worry about hackers from the competition breaking into your video conference, recording it, and selling your trade secrets to the competition.

9. Recording Keystrokes…Your Bank Account Information Anyone?

A skilled hacker can retrieve passwords by studying your keystrokes. Oh wait, you forgot that someone can view the way you type in your information - well it is a video conference. Keep it safe! Avoid entering in any passwords during the video conference by setting anything you will need to use during the conference up before the conference begins.

10. Don’t Leave Holes Open

Finally, if you hold video conferences regularly, even if your conferences involve the same people, change the passkeys to access the conference every time, and make sure you lock out all members immediately after the meeting. Why do you want to do this? This is simple - former employees, hackers, etc. will be able to access the conference room so long as you leave it open.