Instant Messaging Security

Controlling IM Security Risks

The use of instant messaging (IM) in business is growing rapidly.  Unified communications platforms, professional community networks, and Web conferencing are all being used to conduct business throughout the world.  There are also public IM networks like Facebook Chat, Google Talk, and Skype that operate outside the control of the corporate IT department and have proven to be popular for professional communications.

However, whether an IM platform is blessed or not by IT, security risks loom:

Inbound threats

Outbound threats

  • Leakage of company confidential information
  • Potential loss of intellectual property

Non-compliance with corporate, legal, and regulatory requirements

  • IM creates "invisible" communications channels that operate below the radar of conventional information security measures (e.g., firewalls)
  • Inability to log, monitor, or archive IMs could expose the organization to compliance breaches

The Leader in IM Security

Ranked #1 in IM market share by IDC for five consecutive years, Actiance is the acknowledged leader in IM security and compliance management.  We manage more than five million seats and have a broad customer list that includes nine of the top ten US banks.

Actiance provides an award-winning platform for managing real-time communications, including public IM networks, unified communications platforms, professional community networks, and Web conferencing.

  • Protection against inbound threats from viruses, worms, and SpIM
  • Prevention of information leakage through content filtering of all text conversations and file attachments
  • Ensuring compliance through strict policy enforcement
  • Seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure (e.g., Active Directory)

Learn more about Vantage, the de facto platform for granular security, policy controls, and compliance features for real-time and unified communications (UC).  Vantage manages the widest array of UC and real-time communications platforms, including Microsoft Lync/OCS, and IBM Sametime; public instant messaging platforms such as Google Talk and Skype; Web conferencing; and industry-focused networks such as Reuters and Bloomberg.

Learn more about Unified Security Gateway, the only Secure Web Gateway to combine content monitoring, management, and security of Web 2.0 applications (e.g., social media, IM), with URL filtering, anti-malware and Web anti-virus protection.