In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, organisations face relentless cybersecurity threats, demanding compliance requirements, and the constant challenge of safeguarding sensitive information. Conventional communication platforms such as Outlook, Gmail and WhatsApp are built for convenience, yet they struggle to keep pace with sophisticated, targeted attacks. As data breaches become more frequent and regulatory landscapes shift, the need for a robust, purpose-built secure communication solution has never been more acute.
CyberPlus strategic partner Armour Comms delivers secure communication solutions tailored for organisations requiring robust protection of sensitive data across voice, video, messaging, and conferencing. Designed as a fully cross-platform solution, ensuring seamless operation on Windows 11, macOS, iOS and Android, its solutions meet stringent standards such as that from the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) a set of standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States; North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) certification; and Commercial Product Assurance (CPA) the UK government-backed certification scheme managed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to evaluate the security of commercial IT products used for handling sensitive government or public sector data. Certification to FIPS, NATO, and CPA is up to OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE, with additional layers for threats up to SECRET.
- OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE: A UK classification for sensitive data where compromise could cause limited damage. FIPS-certified tools like Armour Comms support this level by providing strong encryption.
- SECRET: A higher UK classification for data where compromise could seriously damage national interests. While Armour Comms supports SECRET via partners, FIPS certification ensures its cryptography is robust enough for such high-stakes environments.
To help you understand why we’ve partnered with Armour Comms, we’ve outlined below their unique benefits and compared them to popular communication tools like WhatsApp, Apple Messaging/FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Outlook, and Gmail, highlighting the security gulf with these platforms, and identifying key scenarios where Armour Comms is most pertinent.
Unique Benefits of Armour Comms
- Military-Grade Encryption Across All Channels:
- Armour Comms employs military-grade, end-to-end encryption for voice, video, messaging, and file transfers, ensuring data is protected in transit and at rest. It also safeguards metadata, concealing communication patterns and existence, critical for preventing interception by threats like IMSI catchers or SS7 protocol exploits.
- Unlike many mainstream platforms, Armour Comms ensures comprehensive encryption across all communication types without requiring manual configuration.
- Certified for High-Security Environments:
- Certified to meet FIPS, NATO, and CPA standards up to OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE, with partnerships enabling protection up to SECRET. This makes Armour Comms ideal for government, defence, and regulated industries where compliance is paramount.
- GDPR compliance and optional audit capabilities support regulatory requirements, particularly for finance and healthcare sectors.
- Scalable and Device-Agnostic Deployment:
- Built on Docker containers, Armour Comms supports rapid scaling for unlimited users, suitable for enterprises of all sizes. Its compatibility with iOS, Android, macOS and Windows ensures seamless integration without specialised hardware.
- Unified Secure Communication Platform:
- Armour Comms consolidates secure voice, video, messaging, and conferencing into a single platform, reducing risks associated with multiple tools. Features like secure file sharing and a Corporate Contact Directory enhance collaboration while maintaining security.
- This unified approach minimises vulnerabilities compared to fragmented mainstream solutions.
- Advanced Threat Mitigation:
- The platform protects against sophisticated threats, including SS7 exploits, rogue base stations, and man-in-the-middle attacks, essential for organisations handling classified or sensitive data.
- Unlike mainstream tools, Armour Comms prioritises privacy by avoiding data harvesting and ensuring no third-party access to communications.
Comparison with Popular Communication Tools
Armour Comms’ strength lies in its comprehensive security, metadata protection, and certifications, making it the preferred choice for high-stakes environments compared to mainstream or specialised competitors.
| Feature | Armour Comms | Apple Messaging/ FaceTime | Microsoft Teams | Zoom | Outlook | Gmail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encryption | Military-grade, end-to-end, metadata protection | End-to-end encryption for messages, calls, backups (if enabled) | End-to-end encryption for messages, FaceTime | End-to-end encryption for calls, not default for messages | End-to-end encryption optional, not default | S/MIME or OME, not default end-to-end | S/MIME with add-ons, not default end-to-end |
| Metadata Protection | Yes, conceals communication existence | No, metadata accessible to Meta | Limited, metadata accessible to Apple | No, metadata accessible to Microsoft | No, metadata accessible to Zoom | No, metadata accessible to Microsoft | No, metadata accessible to Google |
| Certifications | FIPS, NATO, CPA up to OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE, SECRET via partners | None for high-security environments | None for high-security environments | Compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, but not for classified data | None for high-security environments | None for high-security environments | None for high-security environments |
| Data Privacy | No data harvesting, GDPR-compliant | Data used for analytics, ads (Meta ecosystem) | Limited data collection, but iCloud sync raises concerns | Data used for analytics, Microsoft 365 ecosystem | Data used for analytics, optional telemetry | Data used for analytics, ads (Microsoft 365) | Data used for ads, analytics |
| Threat Protection | Mitigates IMSI catchers, SS7 exploits | Basic phishing, malware filters | Strong device-level security, but vulnerable to SS7 | MFA, phishing filters, data loss prevention | Password protection, waiting rooms, basic encryption | Limited to phishing, malware filters | Filters 68% unknown phishing, vulnerabilities remain |
| Compliance | Audit capabilities, GDPR | Limited compliance, not for classified data | Limited compliance, not for classified data | Strong compliance for regulated industries, not classified data | Limited compliance, not for classified data | Compliance features, not for classified data | Limited compliance, not for classified data |
| Primary Use | Secure comms for high-stakes environments | Personal and business messaging, calls | Messaging, video calls within Apple ecosystem | All-in-one collaboration, Microsoft 365 integration | Video conferencing, webinars | Email, calendar management | Email, Google Workspace integration |
| Unique Strength | Metadata protection, high-security certifications | Widespread adoption, cross-platform messaging | Seamless Apple ecosystem integration, user-friendly | Deep Microsoft 365 integration, document collaboration | High-quality video, large-scale webinars | Formal email communication, calendar integration | Seamless Google Workspace integration |
| Weakness | Higher cost for advanced features | Metadata exposure, Meta’s data practices | Apple ecosystem limitation, iCloud vulnerabilities | Complex interface, Microsoft ecosystem dependency | Security concerns, optional encryption | Weak default encryption, no metadata protection | Data harvesting, weak default encryption |
Security Gulf with Mainstream Communication Tools
The security gulf between Armour Comms and mainstream tools is significant, especially for organisations handling sensitive or classified information. Below is a detailed comparison:
- Encryption and Metadata:
- Armour Comms: Default military-grade, end-to-end encryption across all channels, with metadata protection to conceal communication patterns. This prevents adversaries from detecting who is communicating, when, or where, thwarting advanced threats like SS7 exploits or IMSI catchers.
- WhatsApp: End-to-end encryption for messages, calls, and backups (if enabled), but metadata is accessible to Meta, revealing communication patterns. SS7 vulnerabilities can expose call data.
- Apple Messaging/FaceTime: End-to-end encryption for messages and FaceTime calls, but metadata is accessible to Apple. iCloud backups, if enabled, may expose data to Apple or third parties.
- Microsoft Teams: End-to-end encryption for calls and data encryption at rest, but messages lack default end-to-end encryption. Metadata is accessible to Microsoft, and centralised key management poses risks.
- Zoom: Optional end-to-end encryption requires manual setup, and metadata is accessible to Zoom, increasing exposure risks.
- Outlook and Gmail: Rely on S/MIME or OME, which are not default, require complex setup, and offer no metadata protection, exposing communication patterns.
- Data Privacy:
- Armour Comms: Avoids data harvesting, ensuring no third-party access. GDPR compliance and audit capabilities support regulated industries.
- WhatsApp: Collects data for analytics and ads within Meta’s ecosystem, raising privacy concerns for sensitive communications.
- Apple Messaging/FaceTime: Limited data collection compared to others, but iCloud sync and metadata access by Apple pose risks, especially if backups are enabled.
- Microsoft Teams, Zoom: Collect data for analytics and integrations. Teams’ Microsoft 365 integration and Zoom’s optional telemetry raise privacy concerns.
- Outlook and Gmail: Harvest data for analytics and ads (especially Gmail’s free version). Both are subject to government access under legal orders.
- Threat Protection:
- Armour Comms: Mitigates advanced threats like SS7 exploits, rogue base stations, and man-in-the-middle attacks, designed for high-security environments.
- WhatsApp: Offers basic phishing and malware filters but is vulnerable to SS7 exploits and telecom-based attacks, as noted in security analyses.
- Apple Messaging/FaceTime: Strong device-level security, but SS7 vulnerabilities and iCloud backup risks persist.
- Microsoft Teams: Provides MFA and phishing filters but lacks protection against advanced telecom threats.
- Zoom: Relies on basic protections like passwords and waiting rooms, vulnerable to sophisticated attacks.
- Outlook and Gmail: Limited to phishing filters (Gmail blocks 68% of unknown phishing emails) but susceptible to account takeovers and government access.
- Certifications and Compliance:
- Armour Comms: Certified for FIPS, NATO, and CPA up to OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE, with SECRET-level protection via partners, suitable for classified environments.
- WhatsApp, Apple Messaging/FaceTime, Zoom, Outlook, Gmail: Lack certifications for high-security environments. Teams supports HIPAA and GDPR but not classified data.
- Microsoft Teams: Offers compliance for regulated industries but not for classified communications.
- Vulnerability to Attacks:
- Armour Comms: Low vulnerability due to decentralised key management and high-security design, minimising risks from server compromises.
- WhatsApp, Apple Messaging/FaceTime, Teams, Zoom, Outlook, Gmail: High-profile targets due to widespread use. Centralised key management increases risks if servers are compromised. WhatsApp’s SS7 vulnerabilities, Zoom’s past security issues, and email platforms’ data harvesting amplify exposure.
Security Gulf Summary: Armour Comms is purpose-built for high-security environments, offering unmatched encryption, metadata protection, and certifications. Mainstream tools prioritise broad adoption over security and their metadata exposure, data harvesting, and lack of advanced threat protection make them unsuitable for classified or highly sensitive communications. Even Apple’s strong encryption is limited by ecosystem constraints and iCloud risks, while WhatsApp’s Meta ownership raises privacy concerns.
Use Cases Demanding Armour Comms
Armour Comms is critical in scenarios where security, privacy, and compliance are non-negotiable. Below are key use cases:
- Government and Defence Operations:
- Scenario: Intelligence agencies or military units communicating classified information during missions.
- Why Armour Comms? Certified for OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE and SECRET, protects against advanced interception (e.g., IMSI catchers), and ensures metadata privacy, unlike WhatsApp or Apple Messaging.
- Financial Institutions Handling Sensitive Transactions:
- Scenario: Banks discussing high-value transactions or client data remotely.
- Why Armour Comms? GDPR compliance, audit capabilities, and military-grade encryption prevent leaks, offering stronger security than Teams or Zoom.
- Healthcare Organisations Sharing Patient Data:
- Scenario: Hospitals exchanging protected health information (PHI) across teams or partners.
- Why Armour Comms? Secures PHI, complies with GDPR, and supports secure file sharing, unlike Outlook or Gmail, which expose metadata.
- Corporate Executives in High-Risk Industries:
- Scenario: C-suite executives in tech or energy discussing mergers or intellectual property.
- Why Armour Comms? Protects against espionage with metadata privacy and secure conferencing, unlike Zoom’s optional encryption.
- Remote Work in Regulated Sectors:
- Scenario: Legal or government employees using personal devices for sensitive communications.
- Why Armour Comms? Enables secure communication on standard devices, mitigates unsecured network risks, unlike WhatsApp or Teams.
- Critical Infrastructure Protection:
- Scenario: Utility companies coordinating responses to cyber threats or operational crises.
- Why Armour Comms? Safeguards communications, supports scaling, and ensures continuity, offering stronger security than mainstream tools.
- Legal Firms Handling Confidential Client Information:
- Scenario: Law firms discussing sensitive case details or negotiations.
- Why Armour Comms? Provides end-to-end encryption and audit trails, unlike Apple Messaging or Gmail, which are vulnerable to data harvesting.
- High-Profile/ High-Net-Worth Individuals and Families:
- Scenario: High-profile individuals, regardless of their wealth or fame, remain prime targets for criminals and nefarious operatives.
- Why Armour Comms? Enables secure communication on standard devices, mitigates unsecured network risks, unlike WhatsApp or Teams.
In these environments, Armour Comms provides not just a solution, but the assurance that even under the most challenging circumstances, your data -and your secrets- remains impenetrable. CyberPlus an Armour Comms Managed Security Provider (MSP) partner, merges decades of accredited information and cybersecurity expertise with experience, together with leading edge innovation from strategic partners such as Fortinet and TeamViewer. Contact us today to discover more.