How to properly secure video conferencing connections

As more companies leverage video conferencing solutions for a variety of purposes, security must become a paramount concern for these systems. After all, it just takes one vulnerability in a single system for hackers to get into a network and cause mayhem. But, by implementing Cisco tools with the help of iT1 Source, businesses will be in a much better position to ensure continued functionality of their video conferencing tools.

Current state of video conferencing market

Once thought of solely as a novelty communications tool, video conferencing is now coming into its own. New solutions from Cisco and others, combined with more widespread bandwidth, are making video conferencing more feasible for enterprises of all sizes. Now, companies are using video conferencing to interview remotely located candidates, talk to clients face-to-face and more efficiently display prototypes, among other reasons.

Approximately 10 percent of employees use desktop video conferencing at least once a week, and 43 percent expect smartphone video conferencing to become more popular throughout 2016, according to numbers from Nemertes Research. Furthermore, the study found that about 38 percent have a cloud-based video conferencing solution in place already, and among those that don’t, 7 percent said they will be looking into this functionality in 2016.

“IT leaders should continue making expanded access to video conferencing core to their overall collaboration strategies,” Irwin Lazar, Vice President and Service Director at Nemertes Research, wrote in No Jitter in December 2015. “They should be leveraging emerging endpoint and cloud options to enable interoperability, provide access to external partners and customers, and reduce costs. But most importantly, they should look at video’s ability to improve not just collaboration, but business processes, too, and to deliver measurable value to their organizations.”

While the market for this technology is already quite robust, this may be only the tip of the iceberg. Transparency Market Research has predicted the global video conferencing market to grow at a compound annual rate of more than 8 percent between 2015 and 2023, with industries such as health care and government especially bullish in this technology. Considering that this market was worth close to $3.7 billion last year, this predicted growth means that video conferencing solutions may soon become ubiquitous in the enterprise.

“The market is largely driven by the growing globalization of business organizations, coupled by the need for scalable communication methods,” Transparency Market Research noted. “The increasing need to lower operational costs and effectively manage a global supply chain is another significant factor driving the global video conferencing market. In addition to corporate enterprises, increasing adoption of video conferencing services in the public sector and health care verticals is further expected to drive the growth of the market during the coming years.”

Health care is helping to lead video conferencing’s rise.

How to prevent video conferencing security shortcomings

While both the present and future look bright for video conferencing, this projected growth could easily come crashing back down to earth should major security vulnerabilities be discovered. As these systems become more commonplace, it’s critical that organizations take steps to secure them properly. Not only could a vulnerable video conferencing solution enable cybercriminals to listen in on or corrupt sensitive conversations, but a poorly safeguarded video conferencing system could provide a hacker with unfettered access to the entire corporate network.

To address potential security shortcomings in video, Cisco offers its Cisco VideoGuard Everywhere solution. Cisco VideoGuard Everywhere is unique in that it comes with advanced monitoring and automation capabilities, which is why Charter Communications and Roku have recently announced their intention to use this Cisco solution, according to Multichannel News.

Companies interested in using Cisco solutions for their various video conferencing needs should turn to iT1 Source for help. Since iT1 Source is a Cisco Premier Partner, they are uniquely capable of helping any firm get the most out of Cisco technology. Be sure to contact iT1 Source today to learn more about your available options.