Zoom is one of the most widely used SaaS collaboration platforms for video conferencing, webinars, chat, and hybrid work, and became a popular choice for video conferencing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. But as usage has skyrocketed around the world, so have concerns about Zoom security, vulnerabilities, and data privacy. From early headlines about encryption gaps to evolving risks around user access, Zoom remains a high-value target for attackers and a persistent area of concern for security teams. These security concerns have had a significant impact on the video conferencing industry, prompting companies to improve their security measures in response to industry-wide challenges.
This page breaks down the security architecture of Zoom, reviews known risks and common misconfigurations, and offers best practices to help organizations reduce the risk of a Zoom cyber attack or data breach.
Zoom Vulnerabilities and Breaches
While Zoom has significantly improved its security posture in recent years, it has experienced several high-profile security events:
- Early 2020: A vulnerability in the Zoom client happened that enabled attackers to access webcams or inject malicious code, putting user information at risk.
- Zoom-bombing incidents: Unprotected meetings became frequent targets for harassment or data exposure. During these incidents, meetings and sometimes accounts were compromised, leading to unauthorized access and disruption.
- July 2023: Zoom faced scrutiny for unclear AI data usage practices. What happened raised concerns about the type of information that could be collected or shared without user consent, highlighting ongoing privacy issues.
- Ongoing: Vulnerabilities in Zoom’s integrations or third-party apps continue to pose risk when not actively managed.
These incidents highlight the need for proactive configuration management and continuous monitoring to prevent a Zoom data breach or cyber attack.
Is Zoom Secure?
Yes, Zoom can be secure—but only when properly configured and monitored. Like many SaaS tools, Zoom provides robust native security features, but these must be actively managed and enforced by the organization. Risks typically arise from:
- Misconfigured meeting settings
- Overly permissive admin or host access
- Poor visibility into user activity and account access
- Weak integrations security controls
To address these risks, Zoom has taken several steps to improve its security, such as implementing end-to-end encryption and enhancing privacy controls. Meeting high security and privacy standards is essential for any video conferencing platform, and Zoom continues to work toward compliance with industry benchmarks. For concerned users, it's important to know that Zoom is transparent about its ongoing security improvements and is committed to protecting user data. Organizations and users can also implement additional solutions, such as enabling advanced authentication and regularly reviewing access permissions, to further mitigate these risks.
Understanding Zoom’s security posture starts with knowing where the gaps exist—and how to address them proactively.
Key Components of Zoom Security
Zoom’s security architecture includes multiple layers of controls to protect meetings, users, and data. As part of its overall security strategy, Zoom offers a suite of security products and services, including advanced data management, security measures, and cloud storage solutions, to help safeguard both personal and business users. Core components include:
Meeting Security Settings
Zoom provides controls to limit who can join and what participants can do, including adjusting meeting settings to enhance security:
- Waiting rooms and meeting passcodes (set a strong password for each meeting to protect against unauthorized access)
- Securing meeting IDs to prevent unauthorized users from joining
- Limiting screen sharing to hosts only
- Enabling watermarks and audio signatures
- Locking meetings once they’ve started
These settings are critical to prevent Zoom bombing and unauthorized data sharing.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Zoom administrators can create and assign roles that determine who can manage users, settings, and recordings. Users can also be assigned to groups with specific permissions, but improper group management can introduce security risks if group access is not carefully controlled. However, many organizations fail to properly segment admin privileges, resulting in overexposed permissions.
Recording and Data Retention
Zoom allows meetings to be recorded and stored in the cloud. For business Zoom video calls, recorded meetings—both personal and professional—can unintentionally become accessible on the open web due to misconfigurations or improper file sharing practices. If these recordings are not properly secured, there is a significant risk that sensitive information discussed during meetings could be leaked or exposed. Without proper controls, these recordings can be accessed or shared inappropriately. Risks increase when default settings allow automatic cloud recording or fail to restrict download permissions.
Authentication and SSO Integration
Zoom supports multi-factor authentication (MFA) (with two factor authentication being a highly recommended option) and SAML-based SSO to secure access. Enabling two-factor authentication is crucial to protect accounts from unauthorized access. Misconfigured identity integrations or lack of enforcement can leave accounts vulnerable to credential-based attacks, highlighting the importance of securing user credentials.
Zoom App Marketplace and Integrations
Third-party apps can be integrated via the Zoom App Marketplace or APIs, as well as through partnerships with third party companies such as cloud storage providers, marketing entities, or other service providers. While powerful, these integrations expand the attack surface and must be monitored closely to prevent unauthorized access or data leaks. Additionally, users can be automatically added to groups or contact lists through certain integrations, which may raise privacy concerns.
Common Zoom Security Issues
Security teams often face several recurring issues and challenges when managing Zoom at scale. These challenges include privacy concerns, security flaws, and the need for effective mitigation strategies. We invite you to explore these issues in more detail throughout this article.
Overprivileged Admins
Too many users with administrator or host-level access can result in mismanaged settings, uncontrolled data sharing, or improper use of security policies. If an unauthorized person gains admin privileges, they could exploit these permissions to compromise user security or expose sensitive information.
Unrestricted Meeting Access
Meetings without passcodes, waiting rooms, or domain-based restrictions are easy targets for external actors or accidental exposure. Free public meetings are especially vulnerable to unauthorized access, as their open nature allows anyone to join without barriers.
Insecure Recordings
Without tight access controls, cloud recordings may be accessed by unintended users—or left available via public links. If you discover any exposed recordings, it is important to promptly report them to the appropriate security team to help mitigate potential risks.
Weak Integration Oversight
Integrations with email, calendars, CRMs, or productivity tools often inherit or grant excessive permissions that are difficult to track. If not properly managed, these integrations can also provide access to sensitive data, increasing the risk of unauthorized exposure.
Limited Visibility and Audit Logging
Zoom’s native logging capabilities are limited unless advanced packages or third-party SIEM integrations are in place. This makes it difficult to investigate incidents or detect account misuse, highlighting the importance of generating and reviewing reports to identify suspicious activity and ensure comprehensive oversight.
Zoom Security Risks by Category
User Access
Overprivileged users, lack of MFA, inactive or orphaned accounts, risk of location data being collected or exposed
Meeting Controls
No passcodes or waiting rooms, external participants, unmoderated sessions, unsecured meeting link can lead to unauthorized access
Recording Access
Publicly accessible cloud recordings, no expiration or download restrictions, potential exposure of location data
Third-Party Apps
Unvetted integrations with excessive permissions or broad data access
Logging & Visibility
Limited insight into user activity, admin changes, and integration behavior
Zoom Security Best Practices
In order to maintain strong security, organizations should follow these best practices. To reduce risk and maintain control over your Zoom environment, follow these best practices:
Enforce Role-Based Access Control
Limit admin privileges to only those who need them. Use custom roles with minimal permissions and review access regularly.
Lock Down Meeting Settings
Require passcodes or waiting rooms for all meetings. Restrict screen sharing to hosts and disable unnecessary in-meeting features by default.
Secure Cloud Recordings
Restrict access to recordings, set expiration dates, and prevent downloads where possible. Avoid public sharing unless required.
Audit Third-Party Integrations
Review all installed apps for permission scope and business necessity. Revoke unused or overprivileged integrations.
Require MFA and SSO
Mandate multi-factor authentication and enforce SSO for all user logins. Ensure SAML configurations are correctly set up and monitored. In addition to MFA and SSO, require users to create strong passwords to further protect accounts from unauthorized access.
Monitor for Misconfigurations
Establish a process to detect configuration drift, user anomalies, and changes to key settings. Regularly review audit logs or use tools that integrate with your SIEM.
Note: Regular monitoring and review are essential to maintain security and quickly address any misconfigurations.
How Valence Helps Secure Zoom
Valence helps organizations gain deep visibility into SaaS applications like Zoom, backed by years of experience in securing SaaS environments. With Valence, you can:
- Discover misconfigurations across Zoom settings and permissions
- Identify overprivileged accounts and inactive users
- Monitor for configuration drift and policy violations
- Audit third-party integrations and app permissions
- Strengthen SaaS posture through continuous, automated assessments
Valence offers comprehensive solutions to address Zoom security challenges, enabling security and IT teams to proactively detect and remediate risks in Zoom—before they become incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zoom secure for enterprise use?
Yes, Zoom can be secure for enterprise zoom users when proper configuration, access control, and monitoring are in place. It is important to follow best privacy and security practices, including regular reviews of settings and user permissions. Risks often stem from mismanagement or overlooked settings.
What are the most common Zoom vulnerabilities?
Insecure meeting settings, exposed meeting links, weak or reused passwords, generated meeting IDs that can be guessed, overprivileged accounts, exposed cloud recordings, and risky integrations are among the top concerns.
Has Zoom ever had a data breach?
Zoom has experienced several security incidents over the years, including vulnerabilities in the desktop client and issues related to data privacy and meeting access. In some cases, zoom users had their information added to public contact lists without consent, increasing privacy risks. However, the company has invested heavily in improving security since 2020.
How can I reduce my organization’s Zoom security risks?
Apply least-privilege access, enforce secure meeting defaults, use strong passwords, secure meeting links, monitor for screenshots that may leak sensitive information, review all third-party apps, and use continuous monitoring tools to maintain strong security hygiene.
What are some alternatives to Zoom for secure virtual meetings?
Microsoft Teams is a popular alternative to Zoom, offering robust security features, advanced encryption, and privacy controls suitable for sensitive meetings and enterprise use.
What security features do Zoom products offer?
Zoom products include features such as end-to-end encryption, secure account management, and options to control meeting access, helping zoom users protect their privacy and security during video conferencing.
Why is security and privacy important for every Zoom user?
Security and privacy are critical for every zoom user to prevent unauthorized access, data leaks, and protect sensitive information during virtual meetings. Understanding privacy and security settings helps users safeguard their accounts and communications.
