Secure Messaging: Why Organization Needs?

It does not matter if you are a tech-savvy young individual who cares about his privacy or a professional with a business that holds secrets of values, secure messaging has already become a no-brainer for everyone.

We are all using Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Skype, Google Hangouts, and even Instagram.

But are they all SSL encrypted?

Businesses in today’s world are facing unprecedented risks.

From financial transactions to private messaging, all have become vulnerable to disruption, and human error. Also, it is not something new how certain people intentionally want to destroy the game of others.

Not so proud, but the communication mediums and the crisis are directly proportional to each other.

Secure texting not only nurtures a strong collaborative environment but also enables the users to communicate and coordinate with co-workers seamlessly.

It eliminates the need for multiple tedious communication platforms and several devices.

For instance,

if you want to convey a message an email might work well to an extent.

But,

if you have to describe things manually to a person who is on the opposite side of the globe, you would need a video calling application.

Likewise, you are in need of a separate channel for different functionality.

That was the moment when instant messengers raised the bar for businesses to team up like never before.

With just a single platform, any kind of information can be sent and received without having constant checking of the email inbox or constant login to a website.

But, security pops up with a “DON’T IGNORE ME!” look at who would want to risk an organization’s data when it is a cakewalk for the purpose of communicating.

1. Encryption

The major component of any messaging application should be end-to-end encryption. The messages should not be accessed by any third parties except the sender and the receiver.

With the advancement of technology, it is hard to discover an application that would not encrypt your information.

To secure the data of your organization, make sure of the protocol you are choosing.

AES with 256 bits has more chances to keep you protected from almost all kinds of brute force attacks.

There are messengers like Skype and Google Hangouts that store encryption keys on their own servers, which significantly means that anyone who has the access to the servers can peep into your account and would be able to read your every single message.

Therefore, choose an encrypted messaging software that enables you to set up your own server. Make sure the ball is in your court, i.e., have the control that you have access to the database.

2. Keep personal information private:

Against a backdrop of only increasing digital risks, it is your responsibility to prioritize cybersecurity within the workplace.

There are just a few blurry lines between personal and business communication that are obscuring at an increasing rate, which means that unsecured applications come with huge risks and become rife within companies.

With the practice of allowing the employees of an organization to use their own systems, laptops, and mobiles (BYOD), it is impartial that one must be able to manage their personal information privately.

That’s why end-to-end encryption is crucial for enterprises and employees to protect their assets. With secure messaging, it is assumed that the data is protected to the maximum.

3. Message Deletion

I admit that there are certain situations where I have sent sensitive information to the wrong people or windows, or times we do not want anyone to see the messaging history.

Bro, It was no less than embarrassing. Even if it has an end-to-encryption, make sure whether you have the amount of control over deletion. Message deletion is a nifty component in an application to clean up your history or eradicate something unwanted behind.

So be careful of what you say prior to saving yourself from either getting fired or becoming the reason for laughter.

4. Metadata

We have all studied that metadata is simply data about data. Well, the majority of secure instant messaging apps store metadata about your messages.

Surprised, eh? Ummm, me too.

i.e., the information other than the actual message, such as the sender, receiver, time, device information, etcetera.

It gives Kohinoor’s (am I exaggerating? Never mind) worth of information to hackers when they are not able to bypass the messaging encryption.

Hence, it is advisable to see what kind of information they are seeking from you before you hit “agree” or “accept.

5. Openness

Regardless of how secure an application is broadcasted to be, if you do not pay attention to it, you have to say that you are digging your own grave.

Mmm, yeah!

You can never be sure of what is lying behind the super-flashy, smooth user interface.

With the implementation of GDPR and several other government agencies and tech firms maintaining a track record of cooperation with third-party agencies, the only way to know about transparency is to talk with the developers.

In software terminology, openness or transparency refers to open source where the source of the applications is visible to everyone who is in use.

Bottom line

End of the day, security always matters, so it is important that you care about your privacy. You need to understand that security does not come at the cost of productivity.

Using a secure messaging communication tool need not mean sacrificing essential functionalities such as screen sharing, video calls, or securing files.

Thank the gods, we have now multiple solutions that come with security benefits as well as expected features that usually businesses rely on.

Over to you, now. Analyze these guidelines and determine how secure you are and what application to choose for your further conversations and conversions.

FAQs

1. Which industries benefit most from secure messaging?

Industries like healthcare, finance, legal, government, and IT benefit the most, as they handle highly sensitive data that requires compliance with strict regulations.

2. How does secure messaging help with regulatory compliance?

Secure messaging platforms often meet standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC2, ensuring that sensitive data is handled securely and legally.

3. What are the risks of not using secure messaging?

Risks include:

• Data breaches.
• Unauthorized access to sensitive information.
• Legal penalties for non-compliance.
• Loss of customer trust.

4. Can secure messaging improve remote work security?

Yes, secure messaging ensures safe communication between remote teams by encrypting messages, securing file sharing, and protecting data across devices.

5. What’s the difference between regular and secure messaging?

Regular messaging often lacks encryption and may expose data to vulnerabilities, while secure messaging uses advanced encryption protocols to ensure data privacy and protection.