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Closing the gap: Information Barriers for External Communication Control

COMPLIANCE6 BLOG

In today’s interconnected business landscape, ensuring secure and compliant communication within and outside your organization is paramount. Microsoft Teams Information Barriers has emerged as a valuable tool for managing internal communication and preventing conflicts of interest. However, its limitations in controlling external user communication pose a significant challenge for many companies. AGAT’s Ethical Wall/Information Barriers solution – the missing piece to complete your communication security puzzle. 

Understanding Microsoft Teams Information Barriers 

Microsoft Teams Information Barriers is a feature designed to regulate communication within an organization. It allows administrators to establish barriers between groups of users, preventing them from communicating with each other under certain circumstances. For instance, it can limit interactions between employees in different departments to maintain confidentiality or prevent conflicts of interest. 

The Limitation: Internal Focus Only 

While Microsoft Teams Information Barriers effectively manages internal communication, it falls short when it comes to controlling interactions with external users. This limitation poses a challenge for organizations that frequently collaborate with external partners, clients, or vendors. Without the ability to regulate these external communications, companies risk exposing sensitive information or violating compliance regulations. 

The Need and Benefits of Information Barriers for External User Communication Control: 

Imagine a large multinational corporation, Company X, with multiple departments spread across different regions. Company X frequently collaborates with external partners, including suppliers, contractors, and consultants, to drive innovation and business growth. However, due to the sensitive nature of their projects and the proprietary information involved, Company X needs to maintain strict control over communication with these external entities. 

Protecting Intellectual Property: Company X wants to safeguard its intellectual property and trade secrets. They need to restrict access to detailed project specifications, design plans, and proprietary algorithms to only essential team members within the organization, while still allowing collaboration with external consultants on specific aspects of the project. 

Compliance Requirements: Company X operates in regulated industries where compliance with data privacy and security standards is paramount. They need to ensure that their collaboration with external partners adheres to industry regulations and internal policies. Information Barriers for external user communication control enable them to maintain compliance by restricting access to sensitive data and ensuring proper oversight of communication channels. 

Maintaining Competitive Advantage: Company X understands that maintaining a competitive edge in the market requires discretion and confidentiality. By implementing Information Barriers for external user communication control, they can prevent the inadvertent sharing of sensitive information with competitors or unauthorized parties, preserving their competitive advantage in the industry. 

In this scenario, Information Barriers for external user communication control would allow Company X to maintain secure and compliant collaboration with external partners while safeguarding their proprietary information and maintaining their competitive advantage in the market. By implementing granular control over external communication channels, Company X can mitigate the risk of data breaches, protect their intellectual property, and foster trust and confidence among stakeholders. 

AGAT’s Ethical Wall/Information Barriers: Bridging the Gap 

AGAT’s Ethical Wall/Information Barriers solution fills the void left by Microsoft Teams Information Barriers’ inability to control external user communication. With AGAT, organizations gain granular control over all communication interactions, both internal and external. Here’s how AGAT’s solution addresses the shortcomings: 

Granular Control 

AGAT’s Ethical Wall empowers administrators with granular control over communication policies. Whether it’s restricting access to specific external users or managing communication channels with partners, AGAT ensures that every interaction is governed by predefined rules and guidelines. 

External Communication Management 

Unlike Microsoft Teams Information Barriers, AGAT’s solution extends its reach beyond internal communication. It allows organizations to manage and control communication with external users, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected and compliance requirements are met. 

Comprehensive Compliance 

AGAT’s Ethical Wall provides comprehensive auditing and reporting capabilities, enabling organizations to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements. By maintaining a detailed record of communication activities, companies can ensure accountability and transparency in their operations. 

Conclusion: Closing the Gap for Complete Communication Security 

In the era of remote work and digital collaboration, securing communication channels is non-negotiable. While Microsoft Teams Information Barriers offer valuable internal communication controls, its limitation in managing external user interactions leaves a crucial gap in communication security. AGAT’s Ethical Wall/Information Barriers solution bridges this gap, providing organizations with the tools they need to safeguard sensitive information, maintain compliance, and foster secure collaboration – both internally and externally. Don’t let limitations hinder your communication security efforts. Embrace AGAT’s solution and unlock the full potential of your communication platform. 

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blog DLP eDiscovery Ethical Wall Microsoft Teams

Securing the Digital Workspace: Navigating Compliance Challenges in 2024 

COMPLIANCE5 BLOG

As we move full steam into the new year, the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity is presenting organizations with challenges that demand innovative solutions. In 2024, three pivotal trends—regulatory compliance, technology advancements, and emerging threats—demand the attention of businesses looking to fortify their digital defenses. In this article, we’ll focus on the first trend: regulatory compliance, with a specific lens on the changes and threats surrounding the use of online collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and Webex. 

Stricter and More Global Compliance 

Regulatory compliance is transforming, becoming both more stringent and more global. Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are recognizing the imperative need for comprehensive cybersecurity measures, resulting in the enactment of stricter regulations to enforce them. 

Data Protection Regulations: A Global Web 

Data protection regulations like GDPR in Europe and CCPA in California have paved the way for stringent data protection standards. In 2024, the trend suggests that more countries will follow suit, implementing their own data protection laws. For multinational organizations, this signifies a complex web of compliance requirements. 

Cross-Border Data Transfer Challenges 

Cross-border data transfer is set to become more critical in 2024. Recent regulations like the Schrems II ruling in Europe have heightened concerns about the legality of transferring data between jurisdictions. Companies will need to establish secure and compliant mechanisms for international data transfer. 

Supply Chain Security Mandates 

Governments, particularly in critical industries like healthcare and defense, are increasingly concerned about the security of supply chains. New regulations will demand that organizations ensure the cybersecurity of their suppliers and partners. 

Swift and Transparent Incident Reporting 

Regulations are evolving to demand faster and more transparent reporting of cybersecurity incidents. Organizations will be required to have robust incident response plans in place to comply with these evolving requirements. 

Microsoft Teams and Webex: Mitigating Risks with SphereShield 

In this changing landscape, tools like Microsoft Teams and Webex have become integral to remote collaboration. However, the increased regulatory scrutiny necessitates a comprehensive security and compliance solution. SphereShield emerges as a robust solution specifically designed to address the risks and challenges associated with Microsoft Teams. 

Real-Time DLP: Active Inspection for Comprehensive Protection 

SphereShield offers real-time (active) inspection of content—messages, files, and audio—before reaching the destination. It employs AGAT DLP engine or integrates seamlessly with leading DLP vendors, ensuring compliance with existing policies. Incident links to eDiscovery provide the ability to review conversation context efficiently. 

Ethical Wall/ Information Barriers for Controlled Communication 

To maintain control over user activities, SphereShield incorporates an Ethical Wall. It enables the blocking of communication between users and facilitates control over desktop sharing, file transfer, and more. Communication policies can be set based on various parameters, including groups, users, domains, conversation types, and scope (internal/external). 

eDiscovery  

SphereShield doesn’t stop at real-time protection; it offers extended eDiscovery capabilities. Data can be archived on the cloud or on-site, with a powerful search and export feature based on parameters such as user, time, channel, and text. Integration with existing on-site eDiscovery and archiving solutions is seamless. 

In the face of evolving compliance challenges, organizations must proactively seek solutions that not only protect their digital assets but also ensure adherence to the intricate web of regulations. As we navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape of 2024, SphereShield emerges as a critical tool for organizations relying on Microsoft Teams, providing a comprehensive suite of security and compliance features that align with the heightened regulatory demands of the digital age. 

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DLP blog eDiscovery Ethical Wall

SphereShield: Empowering Legal Firms with Advanced Compliance Solutions

BLOG LEGAL

In the fast-paced and highly regulated world of legal practice, confidentiality, compliance, and effective communication are paramount. Legal firms handle sensitive client information daily, necessitating robust solutions to ensure strict adherence to regulations while maximizing productivity. SphereShield is a comprehensive suite of compliance solutions designed to meet the unique needs of legal firms, providing a secure, controlled, and efficient environment for communication and data management. 

SphereShield recognizes the varying communication needs within legal firms. Its flexibility in creating communication policies based on users, groups, or domains allows for tailored controls. For example, it can restrict external communication for specific cases or enable secure channels for privileged client discussions. 

Ethical Wall: Safeguarding Confidentiality 

Legal firms deal with confidential information daily. SphereShield’s Ethical Wall feature enables these firms to establish barriers restricting interaction among users. This ensures that sensitive client data remains within authorized circles, preventing unauthorized access or communication. 

Real-Time Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Securing Sensitive Data 

The real-time DLP capabilities of SphereShield are indispensable for legal firms. Active content inspection ensures that sensitive information, such as case details or client records, never leaves the firm’s network. Integration with leading DLP vendors strengthens this defence against data breaches. 

Archive & eDiscovery: Effortless Compliance Management 

Legal compliance often involves extensive data retrieval. SphereShield simplifies this process by maintaining a separate repository for all communications. Legal firms can easily search and retrieve files, messages, audio, video, and meeting activities based on specific parameters, aiding in compliance checks and eDiscovery. 

Recording AI Compliance Analysis: Meeting Regulatory Standards 

SphereShield’s recording and AI compliance analysis feature is a game-changer for legal firms. Storing and analyzing meeting transcripts ensures adherence to regulatory standards. Video OCR capabilities allow for the identification of critical phrases or content, facilitating rapid search and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. 

In essence, SphereShield’s suite of solutions is tailor-made for legal firms, addressing their unique compliance, communication, and data security needs. By implementing SphereShield, legal practices can uphold strict confidentiality standards, adhere to regulatory requirements, and maintain efficient communication channels, thereby gaining a competitive edge while safeguarding client trust and confidentiality. With SphereShield, legal firms can confidently navigate the complexities of their industry while ensuring utmost compliance and productivity. 

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