Best secure enterprise chat software 2024

December 30, 2023

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Remote and distributed teams require a convenient, productive and secure channel for internal communication. According to WFH research working from home rose five-fold from 2019 to 2023, with 40% of US employees now working remotely at least one day a week. It is also predicted that working from home will continue to grow because of the expansion in research and development into new technologies to improve remote working. Business communication tools are among those apps which help to significantly increase productivity of remote teams and in hybrid environments.

Secure business communication is essential today. Many companies put this as the highest priority and look for secure enterprise chat software for their internal communication needs.

However, besides security features enterprise chat software should have the following features:

• Group chats
• User roles and permissions
• Video and audio conferencing
• Files sharing
• Screen sharing and remote control

What's the difference between server encryption and end-to-end encryption?

• Server encryption: the encryption keys are stored on the server.
• End-to-end encryption: encryption occurs both on the sender's and recipient's sides. It usually requires a user first to install a program or app on their device. These programs encrypt messages before they are sent and decrypt messages only when they reach the intended receiver with a similar program installed.

The main benefit of E2EE is that it protects your data and privacy. At the same time, it makes problems with data recovery and data archiving. It also does not guarantee information protection when it is delivered to a recipient's device.

Virola

Virola is secure enterprise software with various useful features for business communication. It provides group chats, audio and video meetings, files sharing, unlimited chats and attachments storage, screen sharing and remote control.

Virola can be used as a secure corporate messenger since it is offered as a hosted on-premises solution and can be installed on your protected server. It supports user authorization through Active Directory and has various permission settings to take control over users' activity in chat rooms. All data is protected during the transfer by public-key cryptography and SSL. For voice communication symmetric-key encryption AES is used. The keys are generated on the server when it is running and are renewed within specific period. The keys are stored in RAM only while the server is running.

Threema

Threema is a secure business messenger, with end-to-end encryption for chat conversations and HIPAA compliance. Threema Work app is open source. All user groups with contact lists are managed solely on the users' devices rather than on a server. Threema is offered both as a cloud and self-hosted enterprise messenger focused on your corporate data security. It is also possible to set access to chats with a PIN code.

Besides solid security Threema provides all necessary for productive communication and collaboration features such as group and private chats, video and audio meetings, files sharing, etc.

NetSfere

NetSfere is an enterprise chat platform for secure communication and efficient collaboration of employees. It is HIPAA compliant and provides 256-bit encryption to protect data and maintain the privacy of company communications. NetSfere also supports secure video and audio calls and makes it possible to create a secure ecosystem for business communication.

Besides robust security features, NetSfere provides everything your team needs for efficient business communication including secure cloud storage and messaging bot platform.

Element

Element is built on the Matrix protocol, an open-source technology that enables decentralized and federated communication between several servers. It provides end-to-end encryption, open source and self-hosted software versions. For individual and team chats Element offers access permissions and device verification.

For communication unlimited audio and video calls are available. Collaboration can be enhanced with help of add-ons bridges, bots and widgets.

Troop Messenger

Troop Messenger is a secure enterprise messenger with features every team needs. It offers group chats, audio and video calls, screen sharing and files sending.

Among security features Troop Messenger provides end-to-end encryption, audit log, multi-factor authentication, SSO with Active Directory or Open LDAP. Both cloud and self-hosted versions are available.

Over to you

Data security is becoming more and more important today. Competitors try to get access to your data, hackers use software vulnerabilities to freeze working process, unscrupulous employees find weak sides of your data protection system and sell sensitive information to third parties. There are many security threats which directly affect your business productivity.