Zoom. Is it secure? Should I use it?
Zoom is nothing new and has been around for a few years, but due to the recent virus outbreak and a larger number of people working from home than ever before, it has become quite the popular tool from scheduled meetings to Friday drinks. Because of this surge in popularity, there has been greater exposure, and with this sparks interest for hackers and bad actors alike. As such, the scrutiny has been hard and swift and inevitably questions have been raised, is Zoom secure, and should I be using it?
Is Zoom Secure?
This is a loaded question, and we will not be getting into the discussion of what is and isn’t secure, however, the short answer is: about as secure as any other online tool you use, and should be treated as such. In short, the product is as secure as the user using it, or the PC it’s running from.
We agree that for light business or social use, Zoom is fine as long as the meeting presenter and you adjust the default settings. This is even with the allegations against Zoom for misleading customers in regards to the end-to-end encryption (meaning it is very difficult to collect the information/video/audio from one user to another), which was the starting point of these laws suits.
However, if you require a solution for highly confidential meetings or you are a business that requires strict compliance or just want another solution, we would suggest you review the many other alternatives designed for this purpose. Arguably secure with greater functionality and integrations.
What Are Zoom Alternatives?
The good news is there are a number of alternatives, some even integrate with the rest of the business and form part of a digital transformation migration path so you don’t waste money or time making changes and training staff multiple times.
Some of these products can include:
Your current phone system/phone provider (qualification required)
Microsoft Teams Free and Paid Versions
3CX WebMeeting Free and Paid Versions
Cisco UC-One (Webex)
GoToMeeting
Skype
Vantage Networks does not suggest just dropping Zoom or rushing out to get a new product, we ask that clients stay vigilant, and treat it like any other online application or website, but if you’d like to discuss how you can stay more secure or about any of the alternatives listed above, get in touch! Our team is always more than happy to help.
If you have any questions about changes to our business or would like to review change in your business, feel free to reach out.