How many times have you tried to set something up for your business when you should have hired a professional? Although it seems redundant, there are benefits to hiring an IT professional to set up every technical aspect of your business.

Everything from locking down your sensitive files to setting up your wireless network and videoconferencing system should be done by an IT pro.

Self-installed videoconferencing can leave you wide open to compromise

Most videoconferencing programs are promoted as user-friendly and even plug-and-play. The user downloads an application to their device, creates an account, and with a few clicks they can call any other user or group. This DIY approach is convenient, but it’s not secure.

If you’re like most businesses, you have your employees download applications like Skype or Zoom. The security of these convenient platforms is often left wide open. The same is true if you use top-of-the-line, expensive, professional equipment. Even if you have the most secure network in the world, your self-hosted videoconferencing system is still vulnerable.

Self-hosted security measures are often ignored

It’s been widely reported that HD Moore, the former chief security officer from Rapid7, was able to hack several high-profile videoconferences and take control over the camera. These included venture capital and law firms, a pharmaceutical company, and courtrooms. In one boardroom, he was reportedly able to zoom the camera out through a window 50 yards away where he saw a mouse burrowing in a bush.

Moore was able to gain easy access for several reasons. First, most video conferencing systems are setup outside of a company’s firewalls. Also, many of the conferencing systems left their “auto answer” feature on for the sake of convenience. For most of the meetings, all Moore had to do was call in and he was granted access.

Although what Moore did is been described as “hacking,” it’s actually considered an exploit. He exploited the absence of basic security measures.

Managed videoconferencing in the cloud is more secure

Cloud technology has more to offer than infinite access to your files. It’s also changing the face of IT security. Cloud technology can secure videoconferencing on any platform. IVCi, for example, provides managed cloud-based videoconferencing on familiar platforms like Skype, Google, and Zoom.

What makes managed videoconferencing more secure is the fact that it’s executed on a global MPLS network where each point of connection is secured behind a private cloud. “Communication is only allowed between clients for the purposes of gated, B2B communications,” says IVCi. “This is accomplished through a series of highly secure and gated firewall systems.”

This extra layer of protection eliminates the ability for your videoconference to be hijacked in the way HD Moore did.

All user-friendly devices deserve a professional setup

Even the most user-friendly videoconferencing systems require a professional IT tech to set it up properly. If just one detail is forgotten – like leaving the auto answer feature on – it could mean disaster.

Case in point: when was the last time you changed your router’s channel or IP?

Devices today are more user-friendly than ever, but there are always aspects non-IT professionals are unaware of. For instance, most people don’t know they should change the channel their router operates on to speed up their network. However, an IT tech will tell you that all wireless signals operate within one of eleven frequencies. Most routers run on the same channel by default, which slows down every router operating on that channel.

Another example related to networks is the importance of changing your network’s IP address. Most router login pages can be accessed by visiting the IP address. By default, IP addresses are usually set to 192.168.0.1 (or similar). If someone wants to hack your network, they only need to type in your default IP address and then run a program to obtain your login credentials. By changing your IP address, you eliminate their ability to access your router’s login page. If someone wants to hack your router, they’ve got to first guess your custom IP address.

You can’t take chances with security

There are plenty of risks worthy of taking as a business owner, but poor security isn’t one of them. If you’re not an IT professional, consider using managed videoconferencing in the cloud. You’ll be able to sleep at night knowing you won’t have cybersecurity experts dropping in on your meetings.