Zoom: Growing National Security Concerns

Zoom is a popular video conferencing tool that has seen significant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent months, cybersecurity professionals in both the public and private sectors have unveiled growing security concerns with the application, specifically its ties to China. While some of this information remains classified for security purposes, many of Zoom’s known security concerns have been widely publicized.

For Example:

• Researchers at the University of Toronto found that Zoom does not use effective methods to safeguard information, which could let anyone eavesdrop on  a conversation. Read more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2020/04/03/warning-zoom-sends-encryption-keys-to-china-sometimes/#702111083fd9
• Reports have surfaced that Zoom is suspending accounts or suspending meetings involving critics of the Chinese Communist Party. Read more: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/06/zoom-cites-chinese-law-to-defend-censorship-of-human-rights-activists/
• Zoom uses non-industry-standard encryption for securing meetings, and the company has been dishonest in its security claims in the past. Read more: https://citizenlab.ca/2020/04/faq-on-zoom-security-issues/

The more our cyber professionals learn about Zoom, the more concerns we have. Because of this, Senator Rounds has made the decision not to use Zoom at this time.