5 most secure video conferencing apps for privacy-conscious organizations

‍

Key Security Features

• End-to-End Encryption: Ensures that all communications are secure from start to finish, which is crucial for sensitive discussions.
• Compliance with GDPR and HIPAA: Adheres to strict privacy standards, making it a reliable choice for sectors like healthcare and finance.
• Controlled Access: Features robust authentication methods to prevent unauthorized entry into meetings.
• Data Protection: Employs advanced data protection mechanisms to safeguard information shared during meetings.

Best For

Pexip and Rocket.Chat are an ideal combination for organizations that prioritize data security and require flexible, secure video conferencing solutions. It's particularly beneficial for:

• Government agencies that need high-security communication tools.
• Healthcare providers that require HIPAA-compliant platforms for telehealth services.
• Global corporations with the need for scalability and reliability.

2. Livestorm

Livestorm is a top-rated secure video conferencing and webinar platform known for its user-friendliness and comprehensive features. Its versatility is evident in its ability to host everything from small meetings to large-scale webinars.

Key Security Features

• ISO 27001 Certification: Demonstrates a commitment to managing information security.
• GDPR Compliance: Ensures user data is handled in line with strict European privacy regulations.
• No-download Software: Reduces the risk of security vulnerabilities associated with downloadable applications.
• Advanced Analytics: Offers powerful insights while maintaining user confidentiality and data integrity.

Best For

Livestorm is an excellent choice for:

• Companies focusing on lead generation and customer engagement through webinars.
• Organizations that value analytics to understand attendee engagement and improve their event strategies.
• Businesses of all sizes, from startups hosting small meetings to large enterprises conducting extensive seminars.

3. Google Meet

Google Meet, a prominent product in Google's suite of applications, is tailored for video meetings and calls. Known for its seamless integration with other Google services, it offers a user-friendly experience for personal and professional use. With a focus on accessibility and ease of use, Google Meet is designed to cater to a broad audience, from casual chats to formal business meetings.

Key Security Features

• Automatic Security Updates: Keeps the platform consistently safeguarded against emerging threats.
• Incident Response Protocols: Google’s rapid response to security threats helps mitigate risks promptly.
• Privacy and Transparency in Data Handling: Adheres to stringent privacy policies, ensuring user data remains private.
• Secure Deployment, Access, and Controls: Provides robust access controls and secure deployment options, enhancing overall meeting security.

Best For

Google Meet is particularly suitable for:

• Businesses and educational institutions that require seamless integration with other Google Workspace tools.
• Users who prioritize ease of access and simplicity in their video conferencing solutions.
• Organizations seek a reliable platform with strong privacy and security measures, especially those already embedded within the Google ecosystem.

4. Cisco Webex

Cisco Webex stands out as a comprehensive video conferencing and collaboration solution tailored for the modern era of hybrid work. It empowers small and medium-sized businesses with robust capabilities, enabling seamless communication across global teams. 

Webex is also recognized for its user-friendly interface, advanced AI-enabled features, and capacity to support diverse meeting formats, from individual calls to large-scale webinars.

Key Security Features

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Safeguards sensitive information from being shared or leaked during meetings or through shared files.
• Compliance with Global Standards: Adheres to international security and privacy regulations, ensuring compliance for businesses operating in different regions.
• Role-Based Access Control: Enables organizations to set permissions and access rights for different users, enhancing security and operational control.
• Anomaly Detection and Security Monitoring: Utilizes advanced analytics to detect and respond to unusual activities or potential security threats.

Best For

Cisco Webex is particularly well-suited for:

• Small to mid-sized businesses need secure video conferencing and collaboration tools for hybrid work environments.
• Global companies require a reliable platform with user-friendly features to connect teams across different regions.
• Organizations seek a versatile platform that integrates seamlessly with various industry-leading apps, enhancing productivity and streamlining workflows.

5. Dialpad

Dialpad revolutionizes business communications by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its versatile platform. It streamlines customer support, drives sales, and fosters team collaboration, all through an intuitive, AI-enhanced app.

The platform features AI Contact Center, AI Sales Center, AI Voice, and AI Meetings, each leveraging AI to optimize various aspects of business communication, from real-time transcriptions to sentiment analysis.

Key Security Features

• Encryption: Dialpad ensures end-to-end encryption for all communications, securing voice and video calls, messages, and data.
• Data Privacy: Adheres to strict privacy policies, safeguarding sensitive information and complying with global data protection regulations.
• Secure Infrastructure: Built on a robust and reliable network infrastructure, offering an uptime SLA guarantee, which enhances overall security and reliability.
• Compliance: Meets key industry compliance standards, ensuring that data handling aligns with legal and ethical requirements.

Best For

• Small to Large Enterprises: Due to its scalable architecture and comprehensive suite of features.
• Sales and Customer Support Centers: With features like AI Sales Center and AI Contact Center, Dialpad is tailored for dynamic, customer-facing environments.
• Organizations Seeking Integration Flexibility: Over 74 integrations with various apps make Dialpad a versatile choice for businesses using multiple software platforms.

Best practices for secure video conferencing

Vigilance and smart practices are the keys to ensuring that your virtual meetings are as secure as your in-person ones. Here are some best practices for secure video conferencing that every organization should adopt:

1. Use VPN in public spaces

When participating in video conferencing from public spaces, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is essential for ensuring a secure connection. Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making them vulnerable to cyber threats like data interception.

For example, an employee attending a critical strategy meeting via video call from a hotel lobby can use a VPN. This practice helps prevent potential eavesdropping or data breaches from unsecured or poorly monitored public Wi-Fi networks.

2. Employee education

The effectiveness of security measures largely depends on employee adherence to company policies during video conferencing. Regular training and awareness programs are crucial to educate employees about organizational security risks and best practices.

For instance, employees should be trained to recognize phishing attempts where malicious links might be disguised as meeting invites. They should also understand the importance of using secure networks, not sharing confidential information in unsecured meetings, and following established protocols for online discussions.

This proactive approach turns employees into a first line of defense against security breaches.

What does secure video mean for your business?

Security for your business goes beyond just safeguarding data; it's about aligning with your specific operational and regulatory needs. For some companies, standard enterprise-level security would suffice, ensuring basic protection against common cyber threats. 

However, for organizations in highly regulated sectors, such as Healthcare or Financial Services, security demands are more stringent. Let’s have a brief look at the priorities of various organizations:

1. Healthcare organizations: Security for healthcare is predominantly about protecting patient privacy and ensuring compliance with regulations like HIPAA in the US. Key priorities include secure handling of sensitive patient data, ensuring confidentiality, and safeguarding against data breaches.
2. Financial institutions: For banks and other financial entities, the focus is on securing financial transactions, protecting customer financial data, and adhering to stringent regulations like SOX or GDPR. They prioritize secure data transmission, fraud detection, and risk management processes.
3. Government agencies: For government entities, security means protecting sensitive state or national information and maintaining public trust. They prioritize secure communication channels, data integrity, and protection against espionage or cyber-attacks.
4. Retail businesses: Retailers focus on securing customer transaction data, especially credit card information, and complying with PCI DSS standards. Their security concerns include securing online transactions and protecting against data breaches that could compromise customer trust.
5. Manufacturing companies: In manufacturing, the emphasis is often on protecting intellectual property and industrial control systems. This means focusing on network security, access control, and safeguarding against industrial espionage.
6. Tech or tech-adjacent companies: For tech firms, especially those dealing with data or cloud services, security means protecting intellectual property, ensuring data integrity, and maintaining service continuity. Their priorities include robust cybersecurity measures, secure development practices, and data encryption.
7. Legal firms: Law firms prioritize client confidentiality and secure communication. They aim to ensure document security, secure client communication channels, and protect sensitive case information.

Here are additional resources to learn more about secure business communication:

🔒 What is data sovereignty and why it matters?

🔒 How to enable secure collaboration?

🔒 What is zero trust cybersecurity and how can it be achieved?