Secure Messaging: Make Business Communications Safe
If you’re in a large business or have remote workers on your team, efficient communication is vital. But many chat apps put your data at risk—and that’s where secure messaging solutions can help.
Why is Secure Messaging important?
Most workforces now use chat apps to communicate. But without secure messaging, you’re at risk of data breaches—a business’s worst nightmare.
Over the last couple of years, cases of data breaches have been widespread. Here are just a few examples:
- Telegram data breach exposed millions of users
- Facebook Messenger’s data breach that hit 533 million users
- Secret-sharing app, Whisper data breach, leaks information about users’ location
- Cellebrite cracks the Signal app’s encryption code
What are the penalties for data breaches?
If one of your colleagues were to leak secure data through an unsafe chat platform, your company could be penalized.
- In the EU, GDPR laws could result in a fine of €20 million, or 4% of your annual turnover.
- In the US, breaching CCPA could cost you up to $7,500 for each data point. And for HIPAA violations, up to $25,000 each.
- In Saudi Arabia, violating PDPL can mean penalties of up to SAR 1,000,000 (US$ 266,600).
To avoid these risks, chat with colleagues using a secure messaging platform with full end-to-end encryption, like Messagenius.
What is Secure Messaging?
Secure messaging solutions are chat apps that keep your data safe. They use technologies like end-to-end encryption to ensure that hackers can’t access your conversations. However, popular platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and Snapchat don’t have these security measures.
What are the key features of a secure messaging app?
- End-to-end encryption to ensure no one can monitor your conversations
- Self-destructing messages
- Default encryption settings
- Uses open-source code
- Doesn’t collect your data
When you use a secure business messaging app with these features, your communication will remain private—and out of the reach of professional cybercriminals.
Which industries need secure messaging?
Industries where secure messaging is common include:
- Healthcare
- Law enforcement
- Government
- Banking and Finance
- Legal
However, any business that is gathering customer, employee, or user data needs to consider cybercrime risks. Regardless of your industry, if your business uses apps to communicate, it’s highly likely you could benefit from secure messaging.
What makes a messaging app secure?
Your messaging app must have several key technologies that support text messaging, voice calls, and video calls.
1. End-to-end encryption makes it impossible for hackers to understand your message data
End-to-end encryption means that from the moment you type your message until when the receiver reads it, no one else can access the message. It works by ‘scrambling’ the message so that only the sender and receiver have the key to unlock and read it. This ‘scrambling’ is applied not only to text messages, but also to audio files, video messages, and attached files.Messagenius uses a unique encryption key system. It keeps you in control of private communication and ensures that no one has access to your data except you. As an extra layer of protection, Messagenius allows enterprises to have multiple holders of encryption keys which splits the control to minimize the risk of a data leak.
2. Self-destructing messages keep data safe if someone else gets hold of your device
Even if hackers can’t access your data, there are still other dangers. For example, a thief could steal a mobile device or laptop that has a business chat app open.
Self-destructing messages are an extra layer of protection against this. They disappear after a set amount of time, so outside parties can’t see the messages later.
If you’re using Messagenius, use Black Box mode to send self-destructing messages to colleagues. All of these messages are time-stamped with proof of receipt, confirming that the intended recipient has received your message.
3. Default encryption settings that ensure your data is safe from day one
Some secure messaging solutions offer end-to-end encryption, but they don’t activate this feature by default. And if it’s not activated, you could be vulnerable to cybercrime without realizing it.
With Messagenius, all messages sent within your enterprise are end-to-end encrypted by default. All instant messages, group chats and voice messages are secured with end-to-end encryption within its secure chat app.
4. Open-source code means security experts can confirm your business messaging app is safe
Open-source code means the messaging service is open to outside accountability and auditing by experts. This can be useful to bring attention to any weaknesses or vulnerabilities in the software’s code.
With Messagenius, you can grant access to anyone who needs it. And unlike with other encrypted messaging apps, you own your data and can retain access to all messages sent within your organization.
5. Data collection policies determine whether a secure messaging app lives up to its reputation
Many business messaging apps claim to be secure—yet they collect personal data from their users. So if you’re looking for a secure messaging alternative to Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, or Apple messages, it’s worth doing extra research.
For example, Signal app has a reputation as being safe for private messages and group messages. However, it requires users to submit their personal phone numbers to use the app.
(Not-so-subtle boast: Messagenius doesn’t do this. It puts you in complete control of the data you gather, and how you use it.)
Why do you need a secure messaging app for your business?
Secure communication within your business is critical for safeguarding important information used by your employees. It is also crucial for protecting sensitive information, such as customer data, employee data, and medical or financial records.
End-to-end encrypted enterprise messaging keeps you in compliance with data regulations
Because of international laws like GDPR, businesses are obligated to protect their staff and client data. By using a secure business messaging app, you remove the risk that your messaging app is holding on to your data or increasing the risk of a data leak.
A data breach can be catastrophically expensive, especially for small businesses. IBM recently reported that the average data breach cost in 2021 was £2.7-3 million. Using a secure messaging app like Messagenius, you can greatly decrease the chance of this happening in your business.
Secure messaging apps are safer than other communication methods
You may wonder what exactly is wrong with sending emails or text messages within your business. After all, they are used by millions of businesses worldwide.
However, these methods are certainly not the safest way for your business to communicate.
How safe are text messages?
Text messages you send via your phone’s default messaging app are not encrypted messages.
The contents of your SMS messages can be viewed by mobile carriers. They’re one of the most insecure forms of messaging that can even be intercepted by semi-skilled hackers.
Therefore, it’s crucial that your employees aren’t using normal SMS messaging to send text and voice messages. Using a secure corporate chat app is the best step you can take to ensure your business’s data security.
Apple’s iMessages use end-to-end encryption, making them safer than SMS messages.
How secure is email?
When you send an email, you send it to the email provider, who then stores the email for a certain time, then sends it to different email servers. Eventually, the email arrives at the service provider of the person you emailed. Their provider then keeps a copy of the email in that person’s mailbox until they open it.
This process creates the opportunity for any server that your email meets along the way to create a copy of your email. The email could stay ‘copied’ on that server for any amount of time.
While some email service providers may encrypt the email for part of the path your email takes, there is no way to ensure this. Plus, there’s always the risk that a thief could physically access a phone or an open laptop.
Which is more secure, email or a messaging app?
A secure business messaging app that offers end-to-end encryption and on-site hosting is safer than email. Unlike with email, this setup ensures your message and user data isn’t accessible outside of your business’s network.
How secure are popular business apps like Slack and Microsoft Teams?
It’s natural to assume that globally-recognized brands like Microsoft would make some of the safest apps out there. However, this is not necessarily the case.
- Slack has previously had security issues. The popular business chat app was hacked in 2015, in an attack that compromised some user data. It has since improved its security features, adding 2-factor authentication. However, the platform has been used several times since to carry out phishing attacks.
- Microsoft Teams might not be totally secure either. In Feb 2022, cybersecurity company Avanan claimed that cybercriminals were using Teams to spread Malware. In a blog explaining its observation, Avanan said it had observed thousands of these attacks.
- WhatsApp Business is probably the least safe. While the company claims its messages are encrypted, its own terms of service suggest that the app cannot be used in highly-regulated industries: “We make no representations or warranties that our Business Services meet the needs of entities regulated by laws and regulations with heightened confidentiality requirements for personal data, such as healthcare, financial, or legal services entities.”
(To find out more, read our article on Why you shouldn’t use WhatsApp for work.)
Messagenius: Your Secure Enterprise Messaging Software
We’ve built Messagenius for enterprises who want secure messaging, with the convenience you’re used to from popular chat apps.
End-to-end Encrypted Messages
Messagenius messaging software provides encrypted video and voice calls, as well as encrypted end-to-end, self-destructing messages, and file shares.
Works on Multiple Devices
Messagenius is extremely user friendly and can be used on multiple devices such as desktop, mobile, and tablet. It’s compatible with both iOS and Android.
This allows your employees to connect with each other at any time or place of their choosing.
Effective Communication and Collaboration
When everyone in your enterprise is using the same messaging app, effective communication couldn’t be easier. Messagenius makes it possible to connect and collaborate with anyone in the business, regardless of where they are.
Key takeaways about secure messaging
Secure messaging software isn’t optional if you want your data to be secure—it’s a necessity. With the increasing risk of cyberattacks, it’s crucial that you secure your internal communications with end-to-end encrypted messaging.
To be secure, your messaging app should offer you:
- End-to-end encryption
- Self-destructing messages
- User signup without unwanted data collection
- Open-source code
- Encryption activated by default
Check out Messagenius today for a secure messaging solution with the features you need to keep data safe.