When disaster strikes, communication is everything. Your organization’s ability to rapidly notify key individuals, direct employees in real time, and coordinate with emergency responders can make all the difference in minimizing damage and protecting lives. Whether through mobile alerts, mass messaging systems, or even old-school walkie-talkies, an effective emergency communication tool ensures that no message is missed and every second is maximized. In this article, we’ll explore the critical uses of this indispensable tool—from enhancing response times in crisis situations to ensuring continuity of operations during complex events. Ready to boost your organization’s preparedness? Keep reading to learn how this tool can streamline communication across multiple channels and ensure you’re prepared for whatever comes next.
What is an emergency communication tool?
In businesses, the primary communication tool serves various functions:
Project and operational teams use it to collaborate.
Partners or suppliers connect to exchange information.
Technical teams may share updates on the status of network infrastructures.
Additionally, employees and executives use this tool for online meetings, addressing topics of varying sensitivity. This all-encompassing tool is highly strategic in the life of an organization and may be a target for cyberattacks or subject to various malfunctions.
In such scenarios, relying on a backup communication solution is crucial. Deployed across the organization, this solution allows teams to maintain communication under all circumstances. The result is time saved, increased security, and improved efficiency while waiting for the primary tool to be restored to full functionality.
How is it deployed within an organization?
Typically, the emergency communication tool is deployed on a dedicated infrastructure within the company, separate from traditional networks, to enable out-of-band communications. In the event of a crisis, teams can benefit from secure, dedicated communication channels. This setup helps them respond to incidents and ensure business continuity and recovery more easily.
For a backup videoconferencing solution, on-premise deployment is preferred. This allows the company to maintain control over its installation and maintenance, thereby reducing external security risks. The organization can then decide whether to connect the solution to the Internet or restrict its use to internal purposes only.
In its on-premise version, Tixeo, a Secure by Design videoconferencing solution, is deployed without affecting the organization’s general network security policy.
A DDoS attack has just occurred, and numerous internal services, including the primary video collaboration tool, are inaccessible. Crisis management teams, either on-site or remote, must urgently communicate through an alternative software solution to quickly coordinate and delegate tasks.
A DDoS attack involves generating massive Internet traffic toward a target infrastructure (such as a website) via a network of infected machines (botnet). These machines send numerous simultaneous requests to the target, overwhelming the network and rendering the site or service unavailable.
Use Case #2: Ensuring business continuity
During a crisis, employees can rely on the emergency communication tool to continue exchanging information between teams, which is essential for ensuring business continuity and preparing for a return to normal operations.
For example, in a manufacturing plant, if a ransomware attack paralyzes the internal network, managers need to maintain direct contact with teams to keep production lines running. They also need to monitor the receipt of raw materials and the shipping of products with their suppliers.
In the event of a network outage that prevents access to equipment management and intervention systems, technicians must communicate via the emergency communication tool to coordinate their operations.
In the banking sector, a cyberattack may impact trading platforms, and employees must be able to communicate to make quick decisions and place orders.
Use Case #3: Internal communication during emergency situations
In the event of a cyber or other type of incident, employees may feel helpless without access to their usual collaboration tools. This is especially true for remote workers who may feel isolated without the ability to interact easily with their managers or colleagues. The emergency communication tool helps maintain real-time communication, both between teams and regarding the resolution of the incident. As a result, employees will have the same level of information and can better organize their work.
In June 2023, Rennes University Hospital suffered a cyberattack and immediately cut off the facility’s Internet connection. The hospital’s Director of Digital Services (DSN) highlighted the four factors that helped avoid data encryption. Among them, “internal and external communication” through “predefined channels” ensured that all stakeholders in the organization were informed. Rapid, organization-wide communication during the emergency helped prevent the situation from worsening (such as clicking on a compromised email or connecting to a corrupted network).
Other Uses: Training and Telework Security
The secure collaboration tool can also be used to train employees on sensitive topics or specific procedures, such as building security or activity protection. Additionally, the emergency communication solution proves valuable in preparing teams for emergency situations during crisis simulations. Regularly conducting such exercises helps strengthen cyber-resilience.
Emergency Communication Tool for NIS 2 Compliance
More than 100,000 European companies will be required to comply with the NIS 2 Directive by October 2024 to enhance their cybersecurity.
According to Article 21.2.c, the security measures implemented must allow “business continuity, such as backup management, disaster recovery, and crisis management.” Deploying an emergency communication tool is one of the levers that ensure teams remain connected during a crisis.
This recommendation aligns with Article 21.2.j, which refers to the use of “secure voice, video, and text communication solutions and emergency communication systems.” In other words, for companies subject to NIS 2, it is imperative that the deployed emergency communication tool meets strict security criteria (end-to-end encryption, secure deployment, and access).
Tixeo, a videoconferencing solution certified and qualified by the French National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI), is designed for out-of-band communications and meets the NIS 2 requirements.
How is the emergency communication tool typically deployed?
It is typically deployed on a dedicated infrastructure within the company, separate from traditional networks. This ensures out-of-band communications, which are critical during network failures or cyberattacks, allowing teams to maintain secure, uninterrupted communication .
What is the advantage of an on-premise deployment for an emergency videoconferencing solution?
An on-premise deployment allows companies to maintain full control over their emergency communication tools. This includes installation, configuration, and deciding whether to connect to the internet. This method is particularly useful during a cyberattack or network disruption as it enables secure, out-of-band communications on dedicated servers .
What are the primary critical uses of an emergency communication tool?
Emergency communication tools are vital for coordinating teams during a crisis, such as a DDoS attack that renders usual internal systems inoperable. They also ensure that essential alerts and instructions are delivered and received rapidly by relevant teams .
How does the emergency communication tool help ensure business continuity?
These tools allow organizations, especially those in crisis management, to continue communicating during disruptions. They help teams coordinate specific operations, provide real-time updates, and ensure business processes are maintained even under stressful conditions .
What role does the emergency communication tool play in internal communications during emergencies?
Emergency communication tools maintain real-time communication between teams, ensuring all staff has access to consistent and reliable information. This helps to prevent miscommunication, allowing for efficient and coordinated responses .
What are some additional uses of an emergency communication tool?
Beyond crisis scenarios, these tools can be used for training employees on sensitive topics and conducting crisis simulation exercises. They are also useful in routine safety drills and preparing teams for potential emergencies .
How does the emergency communication tool align with NIS 2 Directive compliance?
It complies with the NIS 2 Directive by addressing requirements for business continuity and crisis management as outlined in Article 21.2.c. It also meets the standard for secure communication solutions as stated in Article 21.2.j, ensuring compliance with European standards .
What characteristics must the emergency communication tool have to meet the requirements of NIS 2?
To meet NIS 2 standards, an emergency communication tool must include features such as end-to-end encryption, secure deployment and access, and the possibility of obtaining ANSSI certification to ensure data protection .
What are the main challenges of communication in a crisis situation?
The main challenge is ensuring the use of secure, reliable communication tools that remain operational even when traditional networks fail. Additionally, tools must support hybrid work environments, allowing teams to assign tasks quickly and coordinate responses efficiently across multiple platforms .
What communication tools can be used during a crisis?
Tools like secure videoconferencing, SMS, email, and satellite communication systems can be deployed on the organization’s servers to allow for continuous communication and collaboration between teams, even remotely .
Cyberwarfare, also known as hybrid warfare, is redefining the rules and dimensions of international conflicts. Its actors and consequences are numerous. What are the impacts on the security of states and organizations?
Définition
Cyberwarfare commonly refers to a set of offensive and defensive operations that take place in cyberspace, exploiting the interconnectedness and vulnerability of digital infrastructures.
These global-scale operations now take many forms and target various goals (computer sabotage, subversion, cyber espionage…), sometimes even mobilizing dedicated military resources.
The uniqueness of cyberwarfare lies both in the difficulty of attributing attacks and in the rapid evolution of the methods used.
The Strategic Dimension of Cyberwarfare
Conducting operations in cyberspace also represents a strong strategic dimension for state power. Indeed, nations can exert their influence and act without resorting to conventional military force.
Moreover, one of the criteria for evaluating a nation’s cyber power is its ability to use digital technologies to achieve its national and international objectives, particularly in defense and offense.
Example: The Russia-Ukraine Cyberwar
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the war between the two countries has intensified in cyberspace. Recently, Ukraine’s Economic Security Council published a study titled “Cyber, Artillery, and Propaganda,” which analyzes Russian operational methods.
The conclusion is clear: the Russia-Ukraine conflict is the world’s first large-scale cyberwar. It directly impacts Ukraine, with systematic Russian cyberattacks on state offices, critical infrastructure, and even media outlets.
However, the “cyberwar” also affects Ukraine’s allied nations. In Europe, numerous espionage and disinformation attacks, originating from Russia, have been identified in recent months.
The Various Methods Used
Cyber Espionage
Cyber espionage is one of the primary impacts of geopolitical upheavals and cyberwarfare. It involves stealing confidential and strategic data, sometimes classified, from a nation or organizations.
Cybercriminals can intercept information communicated via video conferencing or messaging, for example, during an election or conflict, to obtain sensitive information.
Espionage can also aim to undermine a company’s competitive advantage by intercepting documents or data shared online. Their compromise affects not only a company’s intellectual property but also the scientific and technical potential of the nation.
Another method used in full-scale cyberwarfare is computer sabotage. This type of attack generally targets critical infrastructures or installations. Their computer and communication systems, networks, or even databases are targeted to compromise their functioning. The objectives may be to harm a nation’s security and economy.
Computer sabotage takes many forms:
• Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to overwhelm servers,
• Malware to infect and damage a system or network,
• Or phishing to trick a user into taking actions that compromise security.
The supply chain (subcontractors, partners, suppliers…) of large companies is also a prime target for computer sabotage. Cyber attackers tend to indirectly disrupt critical organizations by affecting their ecosystem.
Disinformation
Particularly used during election periods, subversion operations aim to influence public opinion about a personality, political party, or institution. Disinformation campaigns, especially on social networks or via the media, are the most visible part. At a national level, disinformation leads to political instability. In companies, it can disrupt governance.
In 2024, a year particularly busy politically, the risks of disinformation are high. According to the “Global Risks 2024” report published by the World Economic Forum, misinformation and disinformation are the two main short-term risks.
Some groups of cybercriminals operate directly under the authority of a government.
According to cfr.org: “since 2005, 34 countries have been suspected of sponsoring cyber operations. China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are believed to be responsible for 77% of all suspected operations.” In full-scale cyberwarfare, the number of states involved in cyber threats is increasing, with known state actors like APT33 in Iran, APT10 in China, Lazarus Group in North Korea, or Sandworm in Russia.
These last two nations are particularly active in the field. The European Repository of Cyber Incidents (EuRepoC) database indicates that since the beginning of the century, a quarter of the detected political cyberattacks have been deployed from China (11.9%) and Russia (11.6%).
In an information sheet (published on the Internet Crime Complain Center website), CISA, the National Security Agency (NSA), and the FBI warn critical organizations about “the urgent risk posed by cyber actors sponsored by the People’s Republic of China (PRC).” These actors, under the name “Volt Typhoon,” work to disrupt essential services in response to geopolitical tensions. These actions can also impact NATO member countries. As the organization warns on its website, “China’s hybrid or cyber-malicious operations threaten NATO’s security.”
Para-State Cybercriminal Groups
Para-state cybercriminal groups do not operate directly under the orders of a state but usually act on their behalf or with their support.
This is the case of the UNC1151 group, linked to the Belarusian government, which has been conducting online disinformation operations for several years, particularly to discredit NATO in the Baltic countries. Since 2017, their information warfare campaign, called Ghostwriter, has been spreading content hostile to the Atlantic Alliance, notably fake news about the deployment of nuclear weapons.
Exemple aussi en Iran où, suite au conflit au Proche-Orient, des hackeurs affiliés au gouvernement iranien ont interrompu plusieurs chaînes de télévision européennes, diffusées aux Emirats arabes unis, pour diffuser un faux journal télévisé généré par IA.
An example in Iran is where, following the conflict in the Middle East, hackers affiliated with the Iranian government disrupted several European television channels broadcast in the United Arab Emirates to air a fake AI-generated news report.
Russian Hackers: Major Players
Russia and its cybercrime actors are major players in cyberwarfare. In recent years, several Russian cyberattacks have targeted Ukraine but also NATO member or partner countries.
In 2017, a Russian sabotage operation against Ukraine paralyzed banks, Kyiv’s airport and metro, railways, media outlets, postal services, energy and gas providers, mobile phone operators, and even hospitals… Russian hackers even managed to affect the French and American economies: companies like Saint-Gobain, BNP, FedEx, or Mondelez were severely affected. The cause: the NotPetya malware, which took 7 minutes to paralyze 55,000 machines, more than 130 per second, at Maersk, a giant in maritime transport.
By targeting more or less critical organizations, cyberwarfare causes direct financial losses, notably through the theft of confidential data, ransomware attacks, or acts of computer sabotage. These cyberattacks generally result in activity disruptions and can harm a company’s reputation.
In key sectors such as energy, telecommunications, or public administration, acts of cyberwarfare also have significant consequences. Power outages, internet disconnections, or inaccessibility of public services disrupt the social and economic balance of a nation.
Political Destabilization
Cyberwarfare is first and foremost political and geopolitical. Disinformation and cyber espionage operations often aim to destabilize politically. Such acts, like the subversion campaigns on social networks ahead of the last European elections, can seriously influence the course and outcome of an election and thus disrupt democratic processes.
Increase in Cybersecurity Investments
The rise in cyber threats, such as espionage and sabotage, is prompting more and more organizations to strengthen their cybersecurity. Indeed, cyberattacks are diversifying and becoming more sophisticated, making them difficult to avoid. In critical entities, as identified by the NIS 2 Directive, cyber resilience is becoming essential. This involves organizations implementing strategies to:
map the cyber risks inherent to their sector of activity,
anticipate crises,
and organize business continuity.
These cyber resilience strategies must be supported by organizational measures (staff training, crisis management teams…) and technical measures (network segmentation, use of backup communication tools…).
What Are Some Famous Cyberwarfare Attacks in History?
1. Stuxnet (2010)
Stuxnet is arguably one of the most famous and sophisticated cyberattacks in history. This computer worm was designed to target the centrifuges used in Iran’s nuclear program. Stuxnet has been widely attributed to the United States and Israel, and it successfully damaged around 1,000 centrifuges, thus slowing down Iran’s nuclear progress.
Estonia, one of the world’s most digitized countries, was the target of a massive cyberattack in 2007. Government websites, banks, media outlets, and other critical infrastructures were paralyzed by distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. This attack was widely attributed to Russian actors, though it was never officially proven.
Initially launched against targets in Ukraine, the NotPetya attack quickly spiraled out of control and spread worldwide, causing billions of dollars in damage. NotPetya is a ransomware masquerade that paralyzed the computer systems of numerous international companies, including Maersk, FedEx, and Saint-Gobain. This attack has been attributed to the Russian Sandworm group.
In November 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment was the target of a massive cyberattack attributed to the Lazarus Group, a North Korean hacker collective. The attackers stole sensitive data and released embarrassing information. The attack was allegedly a response to the upcoming release of “The Interview,” a satirical comedy about North Korea.
Operation Aurora is the name given to a series of cyberattacks carried out against several major American companies, including Google, Adobe, and Dow Chemical. These attacks, attributed to Chinese actors, aimed to steal industrial secrets and sensitive information. The attack on Google led the company to threaten to withdraw from the Chinese market.
Cyberwarfare refers to a set of offensive and defensive operations conducted in cyberspace, exploiting the vulnerabilities of digital infrastructures to achieve various objectives, such as sabotage or cyber espionage.
Who are the main actors in cyberwarfare?
The main actors include states (such as Russia, China, and Iran) as well as cybercriminal groups operating under the authority or with the support of these governments.
Why is cyberwarfare difficult to attribute?
The difficulty of attributing cyberwarfare attacks lies in the anonymity of cyberspace and the use of complex methods that obscure the real perpetrators of the attacks.
What are the impacts of cyberwarfare on states?
Cyberwarfare can lead to economic disruptions, outages of essential services, and political destabilization through disinformation and sabotage campaigns.
How are nations strengthening their cyber defense?
Nations are increasingly investing in cybersecurity by developing cyber resilience strategies, training dedicated teams, and adopting advanced technical measures to protect their critical infrastructures.
There are several ways to deploy videoconferencing within an organization. Whether it’s in the public cloud, private cloud, or an on-premise solution, each deployment meets a specific need and has its own advantages.
Definition of Cloud-Based Videoconferencing Software
Cloud-based videoconferencing software refers to a communication solution hosted on remote servers managed by an external provider.
These servers are accessible online, allowing users to access the solution with just an Internet connection.
What is the difference with an on-premise videoconferencing solution?
On-premise videoconferencing software is installed and operates on a company’s own servers and IT infrastructure. Access to internally stored data is not constrained by an Internet connection for internal communications.
On-premise or cloud: Identifying the Need
Easily Deploying Videoconferencing
For small or medium-sized businesses needing a videoconferencing solution to be deployed quickly and cost-effectively, the cloud is the most suitable. Indeed, public cloud videoconferencing does not require the installation of a server, allowing for the optimization of allocated resources. Additionally, its quick deployment can be appreciated: within a few hours, the service is fully operational.
Having Your Own Cloud Videoconferencing Server
For medium to large organizations with a bigger budget and prioritizing deployment simplicity, private cloud videoconferencing stands out. It offers the benefits of the cloud while allowing the company to have its own videoconferencing server. Organizations can also obtain their own cloud server address. Some providers also allow for the customization of the user interface to match the company’s branding.
Opting for Maximum Security
For large and very large enterprises with stringent cybersecurity requirements, installing and managing a videoconferencing server within their own network infrastructure might be preferred over relying on a cloud provider. Therefore, deploying an on-premise videoconferencing solution will be more suitable.
The Advantages of Cloud-Based vs. On-Premise Videoconferencing
Flexibility and Scalability
Cloud-based videoconferencing easily adapts to the number of users of the solution. For online meetings with a few collaborators or large videoconferences, the solution can be scaled without incurring significant costs, unlike modifications on proprietary servers. Moreover, cloud-based videoconferencing does not require the implementation of IT infrastructure or maintenance by the companies.
Customization of the Interface
Although it is not as technically customizable as an on-premise solution, the private cloud videoconferencing server can be graphically customized. This is the case with the TixeoPrivateCloud offer. Companies can customize the software interface and web access with their colors and logo. Emails sent by Tixeo (meeting invitations, updates, etc.) are also personalized to reflect their branding. During meetings, a watermark text can be added at the bottom right to convey a confidentiality message (e.g., “restricted distribution”).
Ease of Maintenance
The cloud videoconferencing solution provider handles security updates, software improvements, and server maintenance. This reduces the workload for the company’s IT teams and thus limits costs.
Cost Reduction
In addition to resource savings, the subscription model for cloud videoconferencing typically allows companies to adjust their pricing plan according to their current needs. This enables them to achieve cost savings and gain agility.
Tixeo offers its secure, certified, and ANSSI-qualified videoconferencing solution in the public cloud. Hosted in France, with a customized and high-performance offer that optimizes operating costs.
The “cloud at the center” doctrine, promoted by the French government, encourages public administrations to rely on cloud-hosted digital services. To accelerate the digitalization of public services, this widespread adoption of the cloud must ensure data security. This requires choosing sovereign providers qualified as SecNumCloud (or holding a European qualification to guarantee an equivalent level, particularly in cybersecurity).
SecNumCloud is a security qualification offered by ANSSI that guarantees a high level of security for cloud computing operators and clients. It serves as a selection criterion to ensure the security of cloud software.
To benefit from this, the cloud provider must prove compliance with the best practices and security standards listed in the SecNumCloud framework. Once received, the qualification is akin to a recommendation for the use of the service by the French State.
The Higher Commission for Digital and Postal Services (CSNP) has recently called for extending the obligations to host sensitive data in a sovereign cloud to all administrations, in line with the NIS 2 Directive.
Tixeo offers its secure, certified, and ANSSI-qualified videoconferencing solution in a private, sovereign cloud, qualified SecNumCloud.
The Advantages of On-Premise vs. Cloud Videoconferencing
Companies opt for this type of deployment for reasons of compliance, data security, or the need for specific features not available in cloud solutions.
Total Control of the Solution
By deploying on-premise videoconferencing software, the organization has complete control over its IT infrastructure. It becomes responsible for the maintenance and updates of the solution and the necessary software to run the service.
Ensuring Business Continuity
Thanks to its offline operation, on-premise videoconferencing allows organizations to maintain communications. It thus ensures business continuity in case of a crisis, internet connection outage, or IT failure.
Technological Independence
Deploying your own videoconferencing server strengthens your technological independence and sovereignty. Indeed, some cloud-based videoconferencing solutions adhere to extraterritorial regulations that provide limited protection for user data. With on-premise videoconferencing, the company limits security breaches and relies on its own expertise, without external intervention.
Maintaining Control over Personal Data Processing
By adopting the on-premise model, the company retains absolute control over the processing of its users’ personal data. This avoids entrusting the data to a third party and minimizes the risk of data leaks. Consequently, the organization can easily ensure its compliance with GDPR.
Tixeo offers its secure, certified, and ANSSI-qualified videoconferencing solution in an on-premise version for maximum security during integration.
FAQ :
What is an On-Premise Videoconferencing Solution?
An On-Premise solution is installed and hosted on the company’s internal servers, providing the organization with full control over data and security.
What are the Advantages of a Cloud Videoconferencing Solution?
Cloud solutions offer increased flexibility, automatic updates, and do not require dedicated hardware infrastructure. They also allow easy access for users from any location.
Why Choose an On-Premise Solution?
An On-Premise solution is ideal for companies with strict security and data privacy requirements that prefer to maintain full control over their infrastructure.
What are the Main Disadvantages of a Cloud Solution?
Cloud solutions can pose data protection risks if they are not sovereign. Therefore, choosing a SecNumCloud-qualified solution is recommended.
How to Decide Between an On-Premise and Cloud Solution?
The choice depends on several factors, such as security needs, available resources for infrastructure management, required flexibility, and the company’s budget.
What are the Cost Considerations Between On-Premise and Cloud?
On-Premise solutions involve higher initial costs for hardware and installation, while Cloud solutions typically operate on a subscription model with costs spread over time.
What are the Maintenance Requirements for an On-Premise Solution?
On-Premise solutions require an IT team to manage maintenance, updates, and backups, which can represent significant cost and time investments.
How Can a Cloud Solution Improve Collaboration?
Cloud solutions enable real-time collaboration and easy access to meetings from various devices and locations, facilitating remote work.
What are the Security Risks Associated with Cloud Solutions?
Cloud solutions can be vulnerable to cyberattacks if adequate security measures are not implemented, such as data encryption and strict access management.
Does Tixeo Offer Both On-Premise and Cloud Solutions?
Yes, Tixeo offers both On-Premise and Cloud videoconferencing solutions, sovereign and tailored to meet the specific security and flexibility needs of businesses.
As the security and sovereignty of the cloud stir debates in the EUCS project, SecNumCloud qualification remains a benchmark in selecting a highly secure cloud solution.
SecNumCloud: A Security Qualification
In 2016, the ANSSI (National Agency for Information System Security) developed the SecNumCloud security qualification. Its aim is to ensure a high level of security for both operators and clients in cloud computing.
Audit Categories and Requirements
To obtain SecNumCloud qualification, a cloud service provider must demonstrate compliance with the security standards listed in the framework. These standards are divided into 6 audit categories and encompass more than 350 requirements.
Among these are:
The implementation of an information system security policy and risk management,
The encryption of stored data,
The identification, management, and compliance in third-party relationships,
The management of digital and physical assets and identities,
Incident management and business continuity guarantees.
This qualification thus attests to both the technical excellence of the certified provider, its organizational rigor, and its compliance with current regulations.
Once obtained, the SecNumCloud qualification is akin to a recommendation for the service’s use by the French state.
SecNumCloud at the Center of Debates on EUCS and the SREN Law
The new SREN law for the regulation of the digital space, adopted on April 10, 2024, aims in particular to counter the influence of American cloud giants. It could thus favor the choice of sovereign cloud providers, qualified as SecNumCloud.
A SecNumCloud qualified cloud operator strives to ensure a high level of security for user data. This includes robust IT security policies and risk management practices, with particular attention to internal governance organization, security of involved human resources, data backup, and maintenance.
SecNumCloud qualification thus provides strong guarantees regarding business continuity and service availability.
Additionally, relationships with third parties are subject to strict and specific security measures. Indeed, the SecNumCloud operator must clearly identify all stakeholders and monitor changes in these relationships while ensuring the confidentiality of exchanged data. This helps to limit security breaches from external sources, particularly in the context of increasing supply chain attacks.
Enhancing Sovereignty
In its version 3.2, released in 2022, the SecNumCloud certification incorporated measures to protect against extraterritorial laws with lenient data protection standards, such as the Cloud Act. It ensures that citizens and businesses can be confident their data will never be transferred to third parties without prior agreement and legitimate reason, in compliance with GDPR. SecNumCloud thus preserves the sovereignty of the French cloud landscape and limits the risks of industrial espionage.
Recently, the Superior Digital and Postal Commission (CSNP) requested the extension of obligations for hosting sensitive data in a sovereign cloud to all public administrations, in accordance with the NIS 2 Directive.
TixeoPrivateCloud: Secure Videoconferencing in the SecNumCloud-Qualified Cloud
In critical sectors where data digitalization is extensive, cloud attacks disrupt business stability. Videoconferencing tools are not exempt, and their data must receive the highest level of protection against espionage.
To enhance data security, Tixeo hosts its videoconferencing solution in a private cloud operated by 3DS Outscale. SecNumCloud-qualified, 3DS Outscale provides cloud services in France through a French legal entity, free from international interference.
FAQ :
What is SecNumCloud Qualification?
SecNumCloud is a security qualification issued by ANSSI, ensuring a high level of security for cloud services in compliance with strict standards.
What are the requirements to obtain SecNumCloud qualification?
Cloud service providers must comply with over 350 requirements, covering aspects such as information system security, data encryption, incident management, and business continuity.
Why choose a SecNumCloud-qualified cloud provider?
Choosing a SecNumCloud-qualified provider minimizes security risks and ensures enhanced data protection, while also guaranteeing the digital sovereignty of organizations and their compliance with GDPR.
How does SecNumCloud qualification reinforce digital sovereignty?
It includes protective measures against extraterritorial laws, ensuring that data is not transferred to third parties without prior consent and is hosted in France.
What advantages does it offer for critical sectors?
With a SecNumCloud-qualified solution, critical sectors, such as defense and industries, benefit from maximum protection against industrial espionage and guaranteed availability and continuity of cloud services.
An on-premise video conferencing software enhances communication security and data control.
Definition of an on-premise video conferencing
An on-premise video conferencing software refers to an audio and video communication solution deployed and hosted on an organization’s internal infrastructures. This implies the installation and maintenance of physical or virtual servers, LAN/WAN networks, server applications for recording video conferences, or integration with other internal systems (emails, SSO, calendar, etc.) The organization ensures the security of the solution’s deployment, as well as the management of access and updates.
What purposes does it serve?
An on-premise software meets a strong need for data security and communication flow security. This usually concerns Essential Service Operators or Important Services Operators or other organizations operating in sensitive sectors, subject to high levels of cybersecurity.
Three main requirementsinfrastructure
The organization must acquire, install, and maintain the necessary infrastructure for deploying the on-premise software. This is typically located in an internal data center or a dedicated technical room.
Connectivity
Deploying on-premise video conferencing software requires thorough planning of network connectivity to ensure high service quality. This includes bandwidth management, Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize video conferencing traffic on corporate networks, and Network Address Translation/Firewall configuration.
Management and maintenance
To ensure their performance, on-premise solutions require continuous monitoring, both for system surveillance and for server and software maintenance. The security and confidentiality of data in video conferencing must be preserved.
Benefits of on-premise video conferencing software
Technological Independence
By choosing an on-premise video conferencing software, the organization limits its technological dependence on external providers. This improves control over its security policy. This independence provided by the on-premise version also strengthens the companies’ sovereignty, as opposed to choosing a foreign solution hosted in the cloud, therefore subject to extraterritorial data protection laws.
Maximum Security
The company has total control over its on-premise solution, being deployed on a dedicated network and configured by itself. This limits security breach risks and increases reactivity. In case of issues, the internal teams are familiar with the infrastructure and can act more swiftly.
Business Continuity
In a crisis, the on-premise version of video conferencing software allows out-of-band communications, thus ensuring organizations’ business continuity. Indeed, when the general communication solution is down, using an on-premise and end-to-end encrypted software becomes essential. In compliance with the NIS 2 directive, using an emergency communication tool is mandatory for many organizations.
Tixeo offers a secure video conferencing solution, certified and qualified by ANSSI. Its end-to-end encryption, from client to client, prevents any interception of audio, video, and data exchanges, regardless of the number of participants in the online meeting. Its on-premise version, with the TixeoServer offer, ensures secure deployment without any impact on the network security policy. In a crisis, it also allows an “isolated” mode operation, disconnected from the internet network, to ensure the continuity of internal exchanges and activities. Learn more about TixeoServer
Data Control
With an on-premise video conferencing solution, the company also becomes responsible for the personal data processing of the users. It thus retains full control of the data and does not have to rely on subcontractors.
Interoperability
On-premise systems often need to be capable of interoperating with various video conferencing equipment and software platforms, including third-party systems. This may require the use of standard industry protocols, such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) or H.323, and gateways to ensure compatibility.
With the Tixeo Gateway, optionally included in the TixeoServer offer, companies benefit from perfect compatibility with the most common SIP or H.323 hardware devices.
In summary, on-premise video conferencing software offers the most demanding and sensitive organizations complete control and advanced customization of their video conferencing system, while ensuring agility and cyber-resilience.
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