Cybersecurity and Video Conference Security

Cybersecurity and Video Conference Security: What You Need to Know

According to a Research and Markets article, “the demand for videoconferencing is increasing due to recommended social distance”.

Following the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the number and quality of videoconferencing applications has increased significantly. In March 2020, videoconferencing software had been downloaded by approximately 62 million people worldwide. Cybersecurity and video conference security are now more critical than ever.

Productivity challenges during an unprecedented crisis forced many organizations to implement videoconferencing technology Immediately. Some organizations, however, have neglected the security of videoconferencing applications. Given this possibility, organizations need to be aware of the types of security and privacy risks they may have overlooked. Only then can they establish effective best practices to strengthen their digital security.

These risks generally fall into two categories: 

• attacks initiated by malicious actors;
• security incidents resulting from errors.

Malicious Actors’ Initiatives (Cybercriminals)

One of the most common risks is a hacker attack. Palo Alto Networks explains that this type of attack is a security incident where uninvited guests join video conferences. They do this by discovering or successfully guessing the meeting ID, using a technique known as “war dialing”.

These malicious actors may engage in a variety of malicious activities (cyberattacks):

Disrupt meetings by sharing inappropriate content or media with other participants.

Share their screen while remaining silent to avoid alerting the conference organizers to their presence.

If undetected, they can use the conference to gather information about trade secrets and intellectual property.

Gain a deeper understanding of the organization’s structure, which they could use for secondary attacks after the call ends.

They may also employ additional malicious methods before the video conference is complete. In the article “Security Issues and Opportunities of Videoconferencing,” Unify Square points out that hackers can use the chat feature in most video conference apps to conduct phishing attacks. They do this by sending links that redirect recipients to fake login pages or websites containing malicious software.

We previously wrote about the cybersecurity threats facing companies when transitioning employees to remote work.

Mistakes Threatening Corporate Cybersecurity:

Firstly, companies should be concerned about the exposure of conference content depending on how they manage recordings. For example, a company might share all recorded conference data with colleagues or the public.

However, they may overlook the fact that this data includes all personal chats exchanged between the organizer and participants. This oversight could jeopardize commercial deals, undermine public trust in the company, and provide an opportunity for malicious actors to cause harm.

Second, organizations need to ensure their video conferencing apps have adequate security measures to prevent unauthorized access to protected recordings. Most applications offer end-to-end encryption or allow clients to manage their own encryption keys for recorded conferences.

According to an article by Unify Square, the above implementations suffer from security gaps that can pose challenges when data is in transit or at rest. Eventually, malicious actors can exploit these vulnerabilities to access or tamper with recorded calls, thereby compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the information contained within.

So, How to Enhance Security and Privacy?

Fortunately, organizations can take several steps to reduce the security and privacy risks associated with video conferencing applications. These measures include the following:

Be Careful When Sharing Meeting Information

Trend Micro notes that organizations should exercise caution when sharing information for upcoming calls. They should avoid making this information publicly available. If the call is public, organizations can use a registration process equipped with CAPTCHA to help screen out potential intruders. Additionally, if the meeting is internal, they should consider sending invitations via email.

Use Password Protection for Upcoming Conferences

One of the most common ways intruders gain access to video conferences is by guessing the meeting ID. Organizations can deter intruders by protecting each of their conferences with a strong password. This security measure acts as a second layer of verification. Even if intruders have the meeting ID, they won’t be able to join the meeting without the password.

Setting Up the Waiting Rooms

This feature allows conference organizers to review the names of participants requesting to join. If they see an unfamiliar name, they can deny access to that person. Once the meeting has started, organizers should conduct a roll call. This step helps confirm the participant list and exclude any unwanted guests.

Disable File Sharing and Automatic Screen Sharing

Organizations can use host controls to restrict actions during the conference. For example, they can disable file-sharing features to prevent intruders from attempting to distribute malware. They can also turn off automatic screen sharing to prevent disruptions and accidental sharing of confidential information by participants.

Avoid Recording the Conference Unless Necessary

If a company decides that it needs to record the conference for future reference, it should inform all participants. Save the recording with a unique name and ensure it is stored according to existing security policies.

Act Quickly if a Breach is Detected

Don’t waste time if an attack occurs during the conference. In such cases, the organizer should disconnect all participants, inform them that the conference has been attacked, and immediately end the session. Afterwards, report the incident to the platform provider and inform your legal and security departments.

In Conclusion, Friends!

It’s unclear how long organizations will need to rely on video conferencing apps as a primary means of communicating with colleagues and clients. Given this, cybersecurity professionals should implement the above measures to secure video conferences and protect their data. Thoroughly study cybersecurity tools for business. Stay vigilant and proactive!

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