​Are your video meetings vulnerable to cyber attacks? Here's how to protect your organization

In May 2024, a significant security lapse was uncovered within the German government's implementation of Cisco's Webex video conferencing software. The culprit? Security vulnerabilities that allowed unauthorized access to thousands of internal meetings, including those of high-ranking officials. By manipulating meeting link numbers, potential attackers could infiltrate sensitive discussions without proper authorization. And this is far from an isolated incident.

The rising tide of video security threats

​The increasing reliance on video conferencing in enterprises has been accompanied by a significant rise in security threats. According to research by Zerify, 69% of organizations believe cyber attackers could breach their video conferencing platforms, and 84% fear that such breaches could result in the theft of intellectual property and sensitive company data. ​

In other words, the need for secure internal video communication technology has never been more urgent.

Enterprise video security is more than a password

From earnings calls to M&A negotiations, internal video communications can carry immense strategic value. Yet, many companies rely on off-the-shelf video conferencing tools with basic security controls, potentially leaving their most sensitive discussions exposed.

The high cost of insufficiently secure video events

Failure to secure internal video events can have severe consequences, including:

• Non-compliance with GDPR, ISO 27001, or NIST 800-53 can be regulatory violations that may result in fines up to 4% of annual revenue
• A single leaked strategy session can erode stakeholder trust and market confidence, causing irreparable reputational damage
• Insider threats, which are often underestimated: A disgruntled employee with unrestricted video access can wreak havoc
• Unsecured product launches or earnings reports can give rivals an edge, leading to loss of competitive advantages

Here’s what a secure video-sharing strategy must include: 

• End-to-end encryption that protects video data in transit, preventing unauthorized interception
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of protection beyond just a password
• Access controls that can limit who can join, record, or share content
• Secure storage and retention policies that encrypt recorded content and restrict access
• Preventative measures that eliminate inline modification of a video, including AI manipulation of a video to change the message
• Monitoring and auditing to help detect and mitigate unauthorized access attempts in real time
• Waiting rooms to screen participants before granting access, ensuring only authorized individuals join the meeting
• Keeping video conferencing software up to date to address security vulnerabilities and benefit from the latest protective measures
• Educating users on security protocols, phishing threats, and safe usage practices to reduce human error and enhance overall security posture

Many video communication platforms and third-party software vendors fall short in at least some of these areas, creating potentially costly vulnerabilities.

Share information securely with the Hive VX Platform

Zero access to your data: The empty vault strategy

Unlike other vendors that may store your sensitive information, Hive employs a unique "zero access" approach. All end viewer data is anonymized, and Hive does not store video data or credentials. This means that even in the unlikely event of a breach, there's simply nothing of value for attackers to steal.

Defense in depth

Hive's security architecture is akin to a medieval castle with multiple layers of defense. Sensitive assets are protected by two or more security mechanisms, ensuring that your data remains safe even if a single security layer is compromised.

Backed by Microsoft Azure

Hive's backend services run in the Azure Cloud operated by Microsoft Azure. We use multiple datacenters in a region and backup critical data to separate regions to eliminate the possibility of data loss and leverage Azure's 90+ industry-leading compliance offerings.

Hive's key security differentiators: 

• Minimal sensitive data stored. All data is encrypted at rest and in transit.
• Fully encrypted video transmission. All video data is protected during transmission using strong encryption standards (AES-256 encryption and TLS 1.3) and supports DRM stream protections. Hive does not have access to the video stream data neither in the peer-to-peer network or our backend services.
• Multi-layered authentication. Hive supports Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and advanced user controls.
• Tamper-proof audit logs. The platform records all access and activities in secure logs, aiding in monitoring and compliance.
• Backed up by independent security firms. Hive's compliance with ISO 27001 and SOC 2 standards has been verified through audits, affirming the platform's adherence to rigorous information security and data protection protocols.
• Physically secure data centers. Hosted in Azure’s EU facilities with 90+ compliance certifications.
• Continuous production monitoring. The platform is monitored around the clock to detect and address threats promptly.
• Zero Trust network support. Hive integrates with zero trust security providers like Zscaler and Palo Alto Networks, ensuring secure video streaming within zero trust architectures.
• Stream integrity protection. Can support additional checksum verification to address stream modification attacks.

What is the Zero Trust security model?

The Zero Trust security model has become essential for organizations aiming to protect sensitive information. Zero Trust operates on the principle that no entity, whether inside or outside the network, should be trusted by default. Instead, every access request must undergo rigorous verification, ensuring that users and devices are authenticated and authorized before accessing resources.

Hive's VX Platform aligns seamlessly with Zero Trust principles, offering robust security features that include comprehensive encryption. By working closely with leading Zero Trust security providers such as Zscaler and Palo Alto Networks, Hive enhances its security posture, ensuring that video communications remain protected against evolving threats.