Video conferencing cyber threats are becoming a serious concern as online meeting platforms like Zoom and Google Meet continue to dominate professional, educational, and government communication. Recently, the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) issued a detailed advisory warning users and organizations about increasing cyber risks linked to insecure use of these platforms. The warning highlights how convenience, if not balanced with proper security, can expose sensitive data and systems to attackers.
Growing Reliance, Growing Risks
The rapid shift toward remote work, virtual meetings, and online collaboration has significantly increased the use of video conferencing tools. While these platforms offer ease and flexibility, they have also become attractive targets for cybercriminals. According to National CERT, attackers are actively exploiting weak security settings, poor access controls, and unprotected devices.
One of the most common video conferencing cyber threats identified is unauthorized access to meetings. This occurs when attackers join private sessions without permission, often by guessing meeting IDs or obtaining shared links. Such breaches can expose confidential discussions, business strategies, and personal information.
Understanding “Zoom Bombing” and Similar Attacks
A well-known example of these risks is “Zoom bombing,” where uninvited participants disrupt meetings or spy on conversations. These intrusions are not limited to annoyance or disruption; they can result in serious data leaks and reputational damage, especially for organizations handling sensitive information.
National CERT warned that attackers may also take over accounts, misuse platform management tools, or launch denial-of-service attacks that interrupt meetings entirely. In some cases, compromised meetings can even serve as entry points for attacks on connected devices and organizational networks.
Potential Impact on Users and Organizations
Successful exploitation of video conferencing cyber threats can have wide-ranging consequences. These include leakage or theft of confidential data, exposure of internal systems, service disruption, and loss of trust among clients or stakeholders. For government departments and businesses, such incidents may also lead to legal and compliance issues.
Individual users are not immune either. Personal devices used for online meetings can be targeted with malware, spyware, or phishing attempts, especially if they are not updated regularly. This makes cybersecurity a shared responsibility between platform providers, organizations, and end users.
Practical Steps to Reduce Risks
To counter these threats, National CERT has issued several practical recommendations that can significantly improve meeting security. One of the key steps is to treat meeting links and IDs like sensitive credentials. Sharing them openly on social media, public forums, or unsecured channels increases the risk of misuse.
Users are advised to share meeting links only through secure communication channels and issue them shortly before the meeting begins. Enabling waiting rooms is another effective measure, allowing hosts to verify participants before granting access. Locking meetings once all expected attendees have joined further reduces the risk of intrusion.
Limiting screen sharing to hosts by default is also recommended. This prevents unauthorized participants from displaying malicious or inappropriate content if they manage to gain access.
Device and Software Security Matters
Another critical aspect of defending against video conferencing cyber threats is ensuring device-level security. National CERT emphasized the importance of keeping operating systems, applications, and video conferencing software up to date. Many cyberattacks exploit known vulnerabilities that have already been patched by developers, but only if users install updates.
Using antivirus software, firewalls, and secure network connections adds another layer of protection. Public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks should be avoided for important meetings whenever possible, as they can expose traffic to interception.
Organizational Responsibilities and Advanced Controls
For organizations, basic settings are not enough. National CERT highlighted the need for layered security measures, including network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and continuous monitoring. These controls help detect unusual activity early and limit the spread of an attack if one occurs.
In the event of suspicious behavior during a meeting, organizations should immediately remove unauthorized users, report the incident, and review system logs. Maintaining secure and tested backups ensures that operations can be restored quickly if systems are compromised.
A Shared Cybersecurity Challenge
As reliance on virtual communication continues to grow, video conferencing cyber threats are likely to evolve as well. Awareness and proactive security practices are the first line of defense. National CERT’s advisory serves as a timely reminder that cybersecurity is not optional—it is essential for safe digital collaboration.
By adopting secure meeting practices, updating devices, and implementing strong organizational controls, users can enjoy the benefits of online meetings without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk. In a connected world, staying vigilant is the key to staying secure.
