Silent Circle, the company that turns your privacy into a business

Image courtesy of Maurizio Pesce at Flickr.com

There is no more to it. Privacy and security in communications has to be included within the public and private security plans of organizations and individuals. Silent Circle is a company founded from the need for a new form of digital privacy. It was created in 2011 when Mike Janke, former member of the US Navy; and Phil Zimmerman, creator of PGP (Pretty Good Privacy), met with the idea of developing a new, safer version of Skype.

From this they summoned the other co-founders: Jon Callas, creator of Apple's encryption software, and Vincent Moscaritolo to found the company, in 2014, with the launch of the first phone designed to protect the privacy and digital safety of users. Its name: the BlackPhone.

To reinforce their commitment to the privacy of information, in 2014 they moved their headquarters to Geneva (Switzerland) since this is considered one of the countries with a stronger legislation to protect the privacy of information and, therefore, its customers’.

After four years of operation in Europe and the US, the company committed to emerging markets, targeting Mexico and the rest of Latin America. This is a region that has all elements at play when it comes to security, but there is still work to be done regarding the awareness of risks that exist and how much of the users contributions play a part in being at risk.

Privacy and security in communications must be included within the security plan of organizations and individuals. This initial phase should provoke a cultural and organizational change. Prevention is always the best tool when it comes to crises. The lack of privacy and security can bring financial and reputational losses to both organisations and individuals.

Silent Circle wants to work for the privacy of Latin American markets and their people. They will focus in carrying their message to CEOs or CTOs, as well as the whole society by talking about the risks that exist today in mobile environments. And at the operational level, within organizations, for them to understand the current severity of implementing these policies.

Over the past few years, losses have been reported due to leakages or theft of information equivalent to more than 156 billion dollars. But we should keep in mind that this risk is for companies, organizations and the end consumer. It's not about restricting, but raising awareness and giving people the right tools for them to have a professional and personal balance without losing connectivity or sacrificing functionality.

Image courtesy of Jon Callas at Flickr.com

In this scenario, Silent Circle offers the first platform designed for the privacy of individuals, which is composed of their mobile device, the BlackPhone 2 and the software Silent OS, and the Silent Phone, along with services that add value such as the Silent Manager. The purpose of each of the components of this platform is to provide private and secure communications to the users.

Silent OS the operating system which is exclusive to the BlackPhone 2. It is based on Android but it's designed to address the current concerns about the privacy and safety of users. This means there won't be any leakages of information. The operating system gives users control of their personal, work and family privacy without sacrificing their lifestyles.

Blackphone 2 is the device that provides extra levels of security, such as the Security Center to give absolute control over the personal information that apps request on the mobile device.

The potential markets

The company got to Mexico with an aggressive plan. Seeking to consolidate in that country and then opening to other markets in order to meet the needs of digital privacy and security of the region, it includes staffing and business partners that allows them to develop and effectively execute their operations, which in turn directly affects job creation.

Thanks to their portfolio, the company works hand in hand with the constant needs of private entities, government or whoever handles sensitive information in a more frequent way that has an impact on their organizations. In addition, at the moment, they believe they have an offer and a solution that penetrates different niches and contemplates the growing need for privacy and security of communications and the information in society. This allows them to position themselves in the various Latin American markets and consumer preferences.

How will the BlackPhone be marketed?

The company started operations in its first phase with just one mobile carrier, but it will subsequently do it with the rest of the carriers. The phone is intended for all users, not just businesses, as it provides all the functionality of the best smartphones in the industry and it adds an important piece of privacy and information security and communications. This gives them a very broad spectrum of consumers and they are not limiting functionality or connectivity to their daily lives, but they protect them through the Silent OS and their communications platform, Silent Phone, at the highest level, both information management and communications.

Live Video Streaming Brings the Best of the Web Directly to You

As recently as 25 years ago, only large corporations and government agencies used video conferencing technology, mostly because they were the ones that had the funding necessary to purchase the costly equipment. However, recent technological advances have brought live video streaming and video conferencing to the masses, with more options coming to the marketplace every day. Instructors are using live video streaming to conduct courses, business owners are connecting with their customers through video conferencing, and everyday people are using it to communicate with their followers on social networks.

Skype

Possibly the most well-known video conferencing platform, Skype was one of the first applications of its kind to reach the mainstream. What began as a novelty used by teens and those in long-distance relationships has since morphed into something much bigger. Today, most people have at least heard of Skype, and many people already have an account. One main benefit of the app is that, unlike Apple’s FaceTime, any user on any operating system can use Skype to communicate.

Making video calls with Skype is pretty straightforward. Most laptops and netbooks come standard with a built-in webcam, and there are mobile apps for Android, Apple, and Windows smartphones, so one can use the same Skype account on any of these devices. Skype also has dedicated apps for calling over Wi-Fi (for devices that support this feature). Free to download, Skype apps for desktop and mobile come with pay-as-you-go credits. Premium options begin at $2.99 per month.

Livestream

Livestream has been around since 2007. Quite possibly the most robust platform of those overviewed here, Livestream enables users to view and broadcast live events as well as stream video in real time. Users can even save video for viewing at a later date and time, which is a great feature for those who use multiple platforms to post video content or those who deliver content at regular intervals, because it allows these users to save time by automating the process. Livestream also has plug-ins that directly link to social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, so users can instantly share content.

What sets Livestream apart from other video services are its features that are tailored for business use. For example, Livestream offers a higher level of security than other streaming platforms, which enables users to stream their content to a select group of viewers. Livestream plans also include cloud storage, and businesses can apply their unique brand information to video content. Additionally, Livestream offers significant customer support, which is something that other streaming services lack.

Creating a Livestream account is free, but to post content users must pay a fee. Plans begin at $42 per month for the Basic Plan and go up to $1199 per month for the Custom Plan. Obviously, the priciest plans are more suitable for established companies or networks that will be live streaming a large amount of content on a regular basis.

Periscope

Periscope is a newer videoconference app from the creators of Twitter. The fact that Periscope is broadcast in real-time is its strongest feature, because this provides a truly interactive experience. It is also less formal than Live Stream. Moreover, Periscope offers Twitter integration, so you can follow anyone you already follow on Twitter, if they have a Periscope account.

Periscope is a unique tool for business owners or anyone who wants to communicate visually with their audiences. Many people use the platform to present tutorials, offer life-coaching sessions, provide fitness instruction, and even host virtual listening parties for original music. The possibilities are only limited by the user’s imagination. Periscope is available as a free download for Android and iOS smartphones.

Video technology has given way to scores of online and mobile applications that all put their focus on video chatting and streaming. While other apps offer video chat in a more limited form (Snapchat is quickly gaining popularity, but the short videos, or snaps, expire quickly, and creating longer videos is currently not possible), the apps outlined here provide a solid way to communicate and deliver content.

All of the video streaming options mentioned here allow users to chat within the app (similar to text messaging), and group collaboration is standard as well. Because these apps are all free, you should experiment with them to see which platform best suits your needs.