Cybercrime is on the rise, and consumers are more aware than ever. In fact, a Cisco survey found that 95% of customers won’t buy from a brand if they believe their data is not properly protected.
As a marketer, you’re responsible for a lot of customer data, and the strategies and channels you leverage can have a tremendous impact on how well that sensitive information is secured. If you’re reading this post, there’s a good chance you’ve already wondered: Are text messages secure?
Here’s what you need to know about text message security, and a few tips to strengthen your defenses:
How Text Messages Work
Before we dive into text security, it’s helpful to understand how your messages get from point A to point B (i.e., from your text messaging platform to your audience).
When you send a text as a business, your messages travel through a Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) to third-party aggregators, who pass them onto carriers, who deliver the messages to your contacts.
In other words, questions like “Are text messages secure and private?” can be tricky to answer because numerous players and factors are involved.
Why SMS Is Not Fully Secure
It’s important to note that CPaaS providers, aggregators, and carriers all work hard to protect communicators from vulnerabilities and are subject to industry regulations with strict data privacy and security requirements.
However, because the SMS (Short Message Service) protocol was developed decades ago, it wasn’t built to combat the digital threats we face today. Additionally, since these messages travel through carrier networks unencrypted, SMS messaging isn’t considered a fully secure channel.
That said, newer protocols like RCS (Rich Communication Services) do encrypt messages during transit, and some apps even offer full end-to-end encryption. However, since SMS is the standard fallback (i.e., the protocol that mass texting solutions like TrueDialog use when a recipient cannot receive messages in RCS format), your messages may not always arrive encrypted.
Common Security Risks of Text Messaging
Text messaging isn’t without risks, but understanding the sorts of threats you may face can help you prepare.
Here are a few of the most common:
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Smishing attacks
Smishing, or text-based phishing, is a type of threat in which attackers impersonate a legitimate organization and send messages designed to deceive recipients into clicking malicious links, sharing login credentials, or providing sensitive information (such as account numbers). Because SMS messages don’t always display a sender’s identity, it’s easy to confuse recipients into thinking they’re engaging with a trusted brand — especially since generative AI makes it easier for criminals to create error-free, legitimate-looking content.
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Device theft and unauthorized access
Even if you take every precaution on your end, there’s no way to control your contact’s device security practices. Lost, stolen, or unlocked devices, shared accounts, and even notification previews can all expose confidential information to unauthorized individuals.
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Network interception and accidental data exposure
Since SMS and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) travel unencrypted across older network architectures, there’s a greater chance that a threat actor could intercept these messages. Additionally, a simple mistake (such as sending a message to the wrong recipient) could expose sensitive data.
How to Make Texting More Secure
In most cases, when brands ask, “Is text messaging secure?” their follow-up question is, “How can I make my messaging more secure?”
Here are a few SMS best practices to help you boost your data privacy and overall texting security:
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Use encrypted messaging
One way to reduce your risk of data exposure is to use RCS messaging, which encrypts message contents during transit. (Additionally, some apps also offer end-to-end encryption to protect data further.) However, keep in mind that although RCS has become much more widely adopted, it’s still not as universal as SMS. So, not all of your contacts may be able to receive messages in their encrypted format.
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Use a solution with two-factor authentication
Another step you can take is to choose an enterprise SMS platform that offers built-in security safeguards, such as multi-factor authentication. For example, TrueDialog offers multi-factor authentication as an added layer of protection in case your passwords are compromised. This way, it’s much harder for unauthorized individuals to access customer data through your platform.
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Avoid sharing sensitive data via text
Of course, the best and most important thing you can do is to avoid sending any sensitive information via text. Instead, use text messaging for marketing promotions, notifications, alerts, reminders, and support, but keep all sensitive data confined to fully encrypted channels (such as secure file-sharing platforms and industry-compliant portals).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are text messages encrypted?
Standard SMS and MMS messages are not encrypted, so carriers can view their contents as they travel through their networks. RCS messages are encrypted during transit, and some applications support full end-to-end encryption. That said, even with encryption available, it’s still wise to avoid sending any sensitive information via text — just in case.
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Are text messages private?
Two-way text messaging is relatively private, but it’s not an airtight communication channel. For example, there’s always a chance your contact’s device could be lost or stolen, or someone could gain access to the cloud account where they back up their messages. Additionally, if you or your colleagues aren’t following proper security precautions or your organization becomes a victim of a cyberattack, these communications could be exposed.
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How does TrueDialog ensure my messaging is secure and compliant?
TrueDialog works with several organizations in highly regulated industries, and we’ve built our platform with several built-in security and compliance features. For example, our platform meets rigorous SOC 2 Type II and TX-RAMP standards, and we leverage an ISO-certified cloud data center. We also offer multi-factor authentication, advanced access control settings, and opt-out and opt-in records to help you stay compliant with industry regulations.
We can’t fully control message security once your texts leave our system (since carrier and customer security practices also play a role), but we have taken numerous steps to keep your data as private and secure as possible.
Ready to see our award-winning platform in action? Request a demo today.
