Security Applications Of Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing has opened up the world to our desktops. Unfortunately, it has also exposed our desktops and networks to things other than the intended web meeting. Videoconferencing at its best enables improved communication and faster project turn-around. At its worst, it Turns a workplace into a video surveillance system.


Security applications of videoconferencing have become more necessary than ever.

It is important to understand videoconferencing security. In order to secure a videoconference, the key areas of data storage, data radiation, and data encryption must be considered.


The information shared during a videoconference usually contains some sensitive or classified information. Those attending the conference can store data for future access, presenting a certain security risk. PC-based videoconferencing systems that run on PC operating systems use standard hardware.


Since these systems include internal hard drives and plug-and-play connectivity, additional steps must be taken to secure these systems. Specifically, the systems must be equipped with a removable hard drive. In addition, two different hard drives must be used; one for secure calls and one for other calls. The hard drive used for secure calls should be kept in an approved safe location. Because of the cost and inconvenience of securing PC-based videoconferencing systems, they are not very well suited for security sensitive use.


Appliance videoconferencing systems are not based on a PC platform and typically do not utilize standard PC-based hardware or software. They are usually custom designed and manufactured to provide only specific functions. Storage capabilities are usually limited to storing address info, usage data, and configuration settings. Appliance based videoconferencing systems are best suited for secure videoconferencing.


Any conferencing equipment can electrically radiate confidential information. Data shared during a videoconference is susceptible to monitoring by unauthorized personnel. Studies have shown that signals from a video monitor can be picked up as far as a half mile away. The U.S. government has recently issued the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, which outlines security recommendations for corporations.


Other vulnerabilities have been discovered in videoconferencing products. One glitch allows unauthorized individuals to gather information about the device, retrieve files, crash the device, or monitor videoconferences. Product lines, can be used to secure your system by denying transmission requests from unauthorized users.


Another major security issue with many videoconferencing systems is that the password protecting the remote management features is passed from the remote management console across the Internet to the videoconference system without the use of a secure protocol.


Any potential hacker monitoring the connection is able to retrieve the password to gain access to remote management controls. With many of the newer videoconference systems able to stream video over the Internet, the attacker can then forward unencrypted videoconferences to any number of anonymous destinations across the Internet. Experts recommend protecting videoconferencing systems with a gateway product that can provide packet filtering, encryption and certificate-based authentication.


It is important to remember that Internet data, including that used for videoconferences, may go through dozens of routers. By adhering to the following protocols, you can keep your system safe and secure.


It is important to keep informed of security exploits and download security patches from the manufacturers of videoconferencing equipment as they become available.

Videoconferencing users need to supplement basic password protection with a stronger level of security. Some online meeting systems identify users by a username and password. Guessing passwords can be very easy to do, sometimes. Make sure the password system is secure, and know who has access to passwords.


When data transfers are taking place, it is important to secure that transmission. Most online transactions are now using Secure Socket Layer (SSL), a protocol designed for secure online communication. Online meeting service providers generally use SSL. Look for the padlock icon on the toolbar at the bottom of the web browser to ensure protection.


Consider scrambling or encryption of data to provide another layer of security. Modern encryption methods are difficult to break. By using such strong methods to scramble files before they are stored protects data even before it arrives to another server. Any business or organization should have a core policy for security issues. Closely examine and periodically evaluate security policies. When selecting an online meeting business, examine the companys privacy statement.

For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services. Many consider his reviews to be very insightful and reliable. Visit his website 1VideoConference.com

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Jump On The Bigger Bandwidth Bandwagon For Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing is one of the most popular new technologies to come out of the last ten years. It enables businesses to function better than they have ever been able to in the past. Videoconferencing is a great way to save your firm time and travel expenses. It makes a great alternative to those face-to-face meetings that used to involve days off for employees and extensive travel expenses. There are many things to consider in the world of videoconferencing, but one of the most important facets of the best videoconferencing is bandwidth.


There are three basic ways to set up your videoconferencing system. You can use your current telephone network as the basis for your setup. You can use a private IP network as the basis for your system. You can also use the Internet as your basis. When you get ready to set up your videoconferencing system, you want a minimum bandwidth of 300K to 400K bits per second. This will include video, audio, and control signaling devices. Bandwidth, in the world of videoconferencing, is assumed to be the same on both ends of the spectrum, though it does not have to work that way.


For example, one side may be able to encode data at 100K bits per second but decode 300K bits per second. Before you decide what bandwidth you will need to set up the best videoconferencing system for you, you have to make an estimate of the number of sessions your firm might need that will be simultaneous in nature. You will also need to figure out if the network you are dealing with has end-to-end bandwidth. For example, a T-1 connection would work fine if you needed two 512K bits per second conferences in one simultaneous session or three 384K bits per second conferences.


A T-1 connection can offer you 1.5 bits per second in each direction, which should work for smaller office environments. In addition to making sure that you have enough bandwidth, though, you have to make sure that you have 10/100 switched Ethernet connections wherever your local area network will be experiencing videoconferences on a regular basis.


Depending on the needs within your office, a higher bandwidth is obviously a better choice for applications where you will make extensive use of your videoconferencing system. Poor bandwidth can really slow down your system, making it hard to communicate with the clients. There are a couple of ways to handle bandwidth problems in your firm.


The first way to do it is to use something that holds more bandwidth than the standard telephone line that many firms choose to use. You can do this through Ethernet or through Integrated Services Digital Networks or ISDN. You may already be familiar with Ethernet, as in many offices; it is used to tie computers together. ISDN is a phone cable that is digital. This would, of course, replace the older analog phone line that may be causing some of the bottleneck in your videoconferencing system. Both of these solutions have very different performance abilities.


One of the biggest differences with these larger bandwidth solutions is how each communications channel is switched. An Ethernet line is packet switched. An ISDN is circuit switched. With an ISDN connection, it lasts only as long as the user wants it to, much like a standard phone line might. Once someone has terminated the connection, it is broken. While the connection is active, though, the bandwidth is solely dedicated to it. Ethernet lines work through packet switching, which basically means that every single user in the network shares the bandwidth.


If lots of users are making use of the bandwidth, your videoconferencing system will be much slower. If only a few users are on, your videoconferencing system is much quicker. If you are thinking in terms of more bandwidth for your business, ISDN might sound like the way to go, but you can only get about 1 new frame of video every four seconds, so that can be a bit of a problem for some businesses. On a perfect day, Ethernet can offer you 3 frames per second, but if your Ethernet connection is clogged, it could easily be as slow as ISDN.


There are lots of solutions to bandwidth issues. Talking with your technology services is probably a good place to start.

For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services. Many consider his reviews to be very insightful and reliable. Visit his website 1VideoConference.com

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