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FTC Provides Privacy and Data Security Tips for Videoconferencing

Cybersecurity_963458566
By Daniel Waltz, Sadia Mirza & Stephen C. Piepgrass on April 17, 2020
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The Federal Trade Commission released guidance for increasing privacy and data security while videoconferencing over the internet. The FTC is recommending that video conference users take the following steps:

  1. Make sure that only those individuals who were invited to the meeting are in attendance by securing the meeting by password or providing unique meeting and/or user ID numbers. These settings may not be the default – be sure to check the settings of the service every time you set up a meeting. Despite the name, “zoombombing” is not unique to Zoom. The risk of uninvited people showing up on video conferences exists across all platforms. For additional information specific to Zoom, see Troutman Sanders’s article published in Bloomberg Law, “To Zoom or Not to Zoom – Privacy and Cybersecurity Challenges.”
  2. Look for other settings that limit access to the meetings, such as host approval of all attendees or locking the meeting once all attendees have arrived.
  3. Be aware that your video camera and microphone may be on as soon as you join the meeting.
  4. Be alert to whether the meeting is being recorded and sensitive to the fact that it may be recorded without your knowledge.
  5. Be careful about sharing your screen and do not have anything open (documents, chats, browser windows, email, etc.) that you do not want others to see.
  6. Do not click on unexpected or unplanned video conference links. Tell others when you plan to send out meeting invites, so that they know that the invites are authentic. Spammers are sending false video conference links – be on the lookout.
  7. Consider whether holding the meeting by video conference is appropriate because it is not possible to guarantee that video conference meetings are completely secure. Information that is highly confidential likely should not be shared in a video conference meeting.
  8. Pay attention to the videoconferencing service’s privacy policy and understand what information is collected and whether and with whom it is shared.
  9. Make sure your videoconferencing software is up to date.
  10. Make sure those in your organization also are following company-approved best practices while videoconferencing to ensure the security and privacy of sensitive data. At Troutman Sanders, we have implemented a best-practices guide, consistent with the FTC guidance, for using the popular Zoom conferencing platform, available here.

The coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and work-at-home mandates create new challenges for all of us. In these times, it is of paramount importance to safeguard sensitive information and ensure that employees are following best practices while using videoconferencing services.

For additional information regarding securing remote work environments, please visit the Cybersecurity and Privacy section of the Pepper Hamilton/Troutman Sanders COVID-19 Resource Center.

We will continue to monitor guidance from policymakers and provide further information and updates.

Photo of Daniel Waltz Daniel Waltz

An experienced litigator, Daniel advises and represents regional, national and international companies, financial institutions and insurers in all facets of business, complex commercial and insurance coverage litigation. He is committed to working with his clients to find creative solutions to meet their needs.

Read more about Daniel WaltzEmail
Photo of Sadia Mirza Sadia Mirza

Sadia dedicates her practice to counseling clients on cutting-edge privacy and cybersecurity issues. Clients turn to her for pre-incident response planning and preparedness, and also call her when the first sign of a security incident/data breach appears. Given her years of experience coaching

…

Sadia dedicates her practice to counseling clients on cutting-edge privacy and cybersecurity issues. Clients turn to her for pre-incident response planning and preparedness, and also call her when the first sign of a security incident/data breach appears. Given her years of experience coaching clients through security incidents, Sadia is heavily involved with data breach regulatory and litigation matters, which gives her a 360-view and understanding of the issues most important and relevant to her clients.

Read more about Sadia MirzaEmailSadia's Linkedin Profile
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Photo of Stephen C. Piepgrass Stephen C. Piepgrass

Stephen specializes in state Attorneys General investigations and other government entities, as well as litigation.

Read more about Stephen C. PiepgrassEmailStephen C.'s Linkedin Profile
  • Posted in:
    Financial
  • Blog:
    Consumer Financial Services Law Monitor
  • Organization:
    Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
  • Article: View Original Source

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