Online security and knowledge of keeping data secure has improved greatly, to the point that many internet users don’t consciously worry about it any longer. Almost every computer user knows at least the basics for keeping their information secure and their devices free of viruses. However, the world of technology changes so rapidly that it can still become possible for hackers or viruses to break through the cracks. Safety during video meetings is a prime example. It is a growing but relatively new trend that requires additional security due to the amount of personal information shared. These are some of the most pressing reasons to investigate the protection levels of your online meetings and the steps you can take to improve it:

1. Protection Against Hackers

The news is often filled with reports of companies or individuals supposedly being hacked and their personal data being leaked to the public. The recent U.S presidential race has resulted in a lot more of these stories. For example, No Jitter reported on the NSA spying upon the United Nations by hacking into their video conferencing server. Businesses may not be quite as at risk as political organizations, but hacking can still create a large blow for them. Any hacker who gets into stored customer data or account information could not only steal money or leak this sensitive information online, it will affect the business’ reputation for having poor security.

Video conferencing is largely secure, but hackers have still found ways to tap into it. They can use webcams to zoom in on personal information, record keystrokes to discover passwords, or eavesdrop on conversations undetected.

2. Firewalls Are Your Friend

While it is a complex problem and hackers are clever people, the solution is relatively simple, says eSecurity Planet. They recommend that if you are using cloud based software that is accessed directly through an internet browser, use an encrypted firewall and a session border controller. This seems like obvious advice, but according to them, it is surprising the amount of professional companies and even government departments which fail to take this step.

The likely reason is that uninitiated users of video conferencing software can have trouble accessing meetings if their firewall isn’t configured correctly and will try to disable it in order to log in and possibly forget to turn it back on afterwards. This can be dangerous due to the personal information and sensitive topics they will likely be discussing during the meeting. It could even affect other parts of their computer as well. If anybody in your company has experienced this issue, it is a good idea to instruct them on the correct method of accessing meetings securely and making clear the reasons why proper safety is so essential. If this doesn’t work, it might be time to switch to a different software provider. Be on the lookout for encrypted video conferencing for IT services, an example being BlueJeans. Even if a security alert should occur, and it can still happen at times even to the most careful of users, you can alert the supplier’s risk prevention team who will take measures to eliminate the threat.

3. System Checks

It is always a good idea to copy the ideas of somebody who is doing things the correct way, and that is especially true for security. Have a look at the policies of companies which utilize good protection and have no history of being hacked. You will see that they perform regular system checks to analyse their security and spot potential threats before they happen. This goes beyond simply performing a regular virus scan. It means checking the system thoroughly with somebody who is well versed in online preservation. Prevention is better than cure and spotting potential gaps in the security network before a hacker takes advantage of them will prevent a lot of headaches further down the road.

4. The Human Factor

It is wise to not only ensure that every person on your IT team knows how to spot and prevent safety flaws, but also that everybody in your company knows the importance of proper security and how to prevent errors. You could do this by holding an online presentation during your next company-wide meeting, using some of the above examples to demonstrate the importance of your message. Consider also changing your company’s online protection and internet policies to prevent people from causing security risks or leaking personal information accidentally. This should hopefully prevent a major disaster from being caused by a person who didn’t know any better.

Many threats are the result of somebody who is unfamiliar with their software or hasn’t used proper common sense. By providing proper guidelines to the people in your office and using simple but effective prevention techniques, you can keep your network secure and prevent a major hacking scandal or financial blow in your company.

If you are the owner of a business that is just starting out, then you know the struggles of ensuring that you are making every single cent that comes out of your pocket will count. There are a ton of things you will have to shell out cash for, and one of these things may have to be the dreaded in-person meetings and conventions. The average cost of airfare these days is not exactly friendly on the wallet, pocket, or bank account, either. According to data outlined in an article by Airlines for America, the average cost for a domestic flight per passenger was around $363.98, excluding the reservation fee and bag fee. What more would you have to spend on an international flight these days, not to mention the need for decent board and lodging?

With that in mind, when should you bother booking a flight to another city, town, country, or even continent? When should you just convince the other person to talk about the subject over a nice cup of virtual coffee—that is, by starting up a video conference with you on a reliable web meeting software? In this article, we will give you a few reasons why you may want to hold off on buying any airfare and hotel room accommodations for certain discussions that you have to participate in.

Book a Flight for That Meet-Up If…

You Want to Have a Better Idea of How a Person Interacts with You.

An article written by Caroline McMillan for the website The Muse notes that there are often subtle body movements you make that could affect how other people see you as a person. You can easily look a person up and down and make your own assessments about their personality from head to toe if you were able to see them in person.

On the other hand, if you rely on a video call, then you will not be able to see the person’s entire body language from the waist down. In most online meetings, you only ever get to see a person from the shoulders up, depending on how they have decided to angle their camera. What if they are actually tapping their foot impatiently because they want you to stop talking already? What if they have their legs crossed because they really do not feel comfortable around you? What if they are actually just lounging around in their underwear because they cannot find any reason why they should take the extra effort of putting on some decent pair of pants? There is a lot that you will not get to see that could tell you volumes about a person’s attitude toward you, so sometimes, it can pay to shell out some cash, especially if you are going to try to seal the deal with a new client or a new business partner.

Do Not Get on a Plane If…

You Need a Really Quick Response to an Urgent Question That You Have

Do you need a super quick reply to a very urgent problem? In cases like this, it will be so much easier for you to relay your message via a quick live chat, a video call, or even by leaving somebody an e-mail if it really cannot be helped. Whether you are in a pinch or want to conduct these types of calls regularly, video conferencing in business can be done over reliable platforms such as BlueJeans. It is super easy to pick up and use, which means less time wasted on troubleshooting any errors.

Are you hoping to meet up to discuss some rather in-depth plans, instead of resolving a potential crisis? Even then, e-mail, chat, or even video calls can still do a better job than all the effort it would take to pack your bags and fly overseas. All you need to do is to make a note of what you absolutely have to tackle in your discussion, and then figure out an action plan by working together on a solution.

In Conclusion: Do You Want a Complete Picture or Do You Just Need a Speedy Response?

Though web conferencing software does allow you to see the other person, you will only get to see them from the waist up, which is sometimes not enough to give you a complete picture of how they are feeling about your conversation. For example, you will not be able to see if they are crossing their legs, which may imply that they are getting impatient or that they are closing themselves off from you. You will also not be able to see whether or not they bothered to put on a respectable pair of pants that day, either. For all that you know, they might actually be wearing their favorite pair of worn-out and cute pajamas.