The criminal eavesdropping and hijacking of video teleconferencing (VTC) calls got so bad earlier this year that the FBI issued advisories to protect organizations of all kinds against them. While VTC solutions providers have corrected (or are correcting) most of those original concerns, there is always the chance that new vulnerabilities could arise and prompt a new wave of malicious “call-bombing” attacks. Consider this quick summary of the Feds’ recommended best practices for safeguarding teleworkers and video platforms:
1) Before initiating any call, have all users install the app’s latest software and security updates. Note that, as vendors press to stay ahead of criminal call-crashers, platform updates may be fast and frequent.
2) Caution attendees not to make gatherings public or unwittingly share meeting links or IDs. Instead, have facilitators provide this information directly. Similarly, tell users not to share screengrabs over social media because it can reveal the meeting ID and invite disruption.
3) For secure meeting management, disable file sharing and allow only the host or admin to handle screensharing. For more control and better security, choose paid VTC subscriptions over free versions.
4) Work with experts to assess your VT conferencing platform’s security and performance, as well as any other teleworking or collaboration technology you may be using (e.g. a VPN). The FBI also recommends including requirements for physical and data security in your current telework policy, a prudent precaution which TeamLogic IT Plano wholeheartedly endorses.
We can help. Contact TeamlogicIT Plano today at 469.573.3743.
Mohammad (Mo) Nilforoushan is a trusted Technology Advisor in North Dallas who has completed his BSEE from Cleveland State University and a MS in Solid State Physics from Bowling Green State University. He has worked as a Product and Test Engineering Manager for 15 years with RCA/Harris, Dallas Semiconductor and Texas Instruments. He was also Director of Operations at Microtune Inc. between 2002 to 2015. Mo started his own company, “TeamLogicIT Plano” in 2015 with a mission to deliver excellent Managed IT Services in Dallas and Plano, TXwith innovation and updated technology. The TeamLogicIT Plano team, which includes his wife Kathleen Stewart (marketing/sales) provides excellent IT Support, Computer Services, Cloud Computing, Backup, and Disaster Recovery, with second to none customer service. Call us at (469) 573-3743 or contact our email PlanoTX@TeamLogicIT.com.
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