You just added someone to your private group chat by mistake. Now what?
This is precisely what happened recently when sensitive US military plans were accidentally leaked in a Signal group chat. Even with end-to-end encryption (E2EE), human error can expose confidential information if an unauthorized participant is mistakenly included.
If a mistake like this can happen at the highest levels of government, it can happen to any organization. That’s why encryption alone isn’t enough.
Read on to find out why businesses need messaging platforms with robust authorized access controls.
End-to-End Encryption: Secure but Not Foolproof
The stakes for secure communication have never been higher. The average cost of a breach jumped from $4.45 million in 2023 to $4.88 million in 2024, according to IBMโs annual โCost of a Data Breach Reportโ.
End-to-end encryption is often touted as the gold standard for secure communication. It protects messages from interception during transmission. Only the sender and intended recipient can read the content. Added to the protection is that even the service provider can’t access the messages. All this offers a strong defense against external hackers.
However, while E2EE is essential for secure communication, it has several critical vulnerabilities.
Why end-to-end encryption is not a complete solution
Here’s the real wake-up call for organizations looking for greater security: 35% of all breaches involve “shadow data”โinformation shared through unauthorized channels.
This includes storing sensitive information on personal devices or chatting on free public instant messengers. Despite the attractive price tag, these lack security controls, which makes your data vulnerable to breaches.
Most critically, encryption doesnโt address insider threatsโtrusted users with valid keys can leak data.
The latter is one of E2EEโs most significant limitations. It can’t protect against human error or malicious intent. A single misclick can add the wrong person to a sensitive conversation. Once they’re in, encryption actually works against you because they have perfect access to all messages.
The Hidden Vulnerabilities in Business Communication
Letโs consider these common scenarios that encryption alone can’t prevent:
- An employee accidentally adds a contractor to an internal strategy discussion.
- A team member forwards sensitive information to their personal email account.
- Someone shares access credentials with an unauthorized colleague or external party.
- A former employee retains access to company communication channels.
In each case, the messages remain encryptedโbut the wrong people have access to and see them.
Internal threats are a growing concern in business communication. Anyone with access to an encrypted channel can freely communicate with others in the organization. There’s no way to restrict or monitor their interactions.
But there is a solution to this loopholeโauthorized access control.
How Authorized Access Control Bridges the Security Gap
The best encrypted messaging apps also have user access control capabilities. Admins can give or deny permissions to limit use to specific devices. They can also select which users gain access to the platform.
Whatโs more, the added step of verifying a user through a secure link sent to an email address limits exposure to compromised endpoints. This combination of factors provides an extra security layer that remains effective even if encryption is compromised.
Authorized access control is a must for any organization operating with highly sensitive data because:
- Encryption protects your messages, but access control protects your network.
- Without proper access management, sensitive information can spread uncontrollably.
- High-authority professionals handling confidential data need both security layers.
Letโs outline some of the main benefits in more detail:
A private organizational Workspace
You can create a closed ecosystem where only verified members can participate. Unlike public messengers, users must be explicitly approved before joining your network.
Managing user permissions
In most businesses, different employees need different levels of access. Executives discussing merger plans need a more restricted channel than team members coordinating lunch orders. User access control lets admins set appropriate permission levels for different types of communication.
Enabling quick access revocation
When someone leaves the organization or changes roles, their access rights can be immediately adjusted. This prevents lingering access to sensitive information long after it’s needed.
Business-focused communication
Restricting messaging to work-related contacts eliminates the risk of sensitive information leaving your organization’s communication channels.
Real-world impact
Confining data only to approved channels and users dramatically lowers the risk of costly leaks. Organizations with strong access controls face significantly lower breach costs.
The Path Forward: Combining Encryption With Access Control
Does your organization still rely on general-purpose instant messengers? If yes, now is the best time to switch to a more secure solution.
You need a combination of strong encryption and robust access control to truly protect your internal communication. Here’s what to look for in a secure messaging tool:
- End-to-end encryption for all messages
- Admin-controlled user access and permissions
- A private team Workspace with verified members only
- Instant access revocation capabilities
- Clear audit trails of communication patterns
Additionally, to further secure your organization’s information, apply these practices:
1. Demand strict user authentication
Require strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) for all users and verify all accounts via an alternative channel, such as email. These are your first line of defense for protecting your internal communication accounts. Even if credentials are compromised, unauthorized access remains difficult.
2. Create a closed communication Workspace
Use business communication platforms that allow you to create private Workspaces in which only authorized company accounts can participate. This eliminates the risk of accidentally adding external parties to sensitive discussions.
3. Perform regular access reviews
Perform periodic reviews and update administrator permissions to align with current roles and responsibilities. This should be part of your regular security maintenance routine.
4. Establish clear communication policies
Establish clear policies about how sensitive information should be shared. Let your employees know who is authorized to grant access to different communication channels.
Secure Your Communications With a Brosix Private Team Workspace
Brosix provides a full suite of communication tools backed with uncompromised security.
Confidentiality is built into every aspect of our platform. Private Workspaces offer organizations military-grade protection, including the option to include 2FA and integrate your current antivirus system to prevent malware infiltration.
Gain complete control over your dataโadministrators can monitor activity, manage access and contact lists, and more through the Brosix Control Center. Flexible chat history management allows admins to view, download, and export user activity and chat histories at their chosen frequencies. Alternatively, they can set up automatic deletion schedules to maintain tight security protocols.
If file sharing is a priority, Brosix makes it exceptionally straightforward. All communication is encrypted and safeguarded with peer-to-peer technology. You can also swiftly transfer files of any size with automatic compression and without the need for external tools.
Beyond security, Brosix is a complete communication suite. Collaborate through direct text, audio, and video messaging, group chats, and more. Share your screen, collaborate on a Whiteboard, or send a quick screenshot to your authorized contacts with ease.
Try out Brosix in action completely free today, no credit card required.
Conclusion
Our world is increasingly reliant on digital communication. In an era where data breaches cost millions, relying solely on encryption is not good enough.
But remember: Even the most secure software canโt protect your information if it’s accessible to the wrong people. It takes a multilayered approach to protect against both external threats and internal mistakes.
