Govt adopts TrueConf to boost online security

The Ministry of Technology and Communications has set up the TrueConf online meeting platform for use in virtual conferences between state bodies, which are increasingly the norm during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The server is located at the Lao National Internet Centre and the use of TrueConf for online meetings will ensure that the content of discussions is secure.
The pandemic has forced people around the world to hold meetings online instead of face-to-face in order to comply with restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of the virus. The Ministry of Technology and Communications recently issued an instruction highlighting the importance of the platform in maintaining the security of classified information discussed by state leaders.
 Previously, the public and private sectors have mostly used Zoom, WebEx, BlueJeans, Google Meet and Teams for online meetings but the servers for these apps are installed in foreign countries, which is not appropriate for the topics discussed by top leaders.
Wanting to heighten security, the government bought a licence from a foreign company to use TrueConf and installed a server in Laos.
The system enables central-level state bodies to hold meetings with provincial authorities in a way that is efficient, saves time and costs less.
Ministries, state bodies, and provincial and district authorities have been instructed to use this system for their meetings through laptops and smartphones connected to the Internet.
Director General of the ministry’s E-Government Centre, Dr Thavisak Manotham, who works on the system told Vientiane Times that since TrueConf and the Intranet are managed in Laos, online meetings can be held securely.
TrueConf is more convenient than other videoconferencing platforms because it can be used on many devices. It is easy to navigate the system and users can record meetings and share presentations. It provides videoconferencing tools for business communication and discussion between state sectors. People can exchange messages in private and group chats, share content, or show slides.
TrueConf can be used in conference rooms, on desktop computers and mobile devices. The system is in line with industry standards and legal video systems, and leverages machine learning and other techniques for bandwidth adaptation and high-quality video.
Experts say virtual conferences will remain an important part of communication post-pandemic and will be part of the new normal.
Videoconferencing apps are an increasingly useful option for many people in Laos as lockdown rules ban large gatherings and require people to stay at home and practice social distancing. Acknowledging the benefits of online communication, many schools and companies are using various apps for meetings and online teaching/learning.

By Somsack Pongkhao
(Latest Update May 11, 2021)