European Organizations’ Overconfidence in Collaboration Security Exposed by Recent Survey
A new study has revealed a stark contrast between European organizations’ confidence in their collaboration security and the reality of how sensitive information is handled. Despite 84% of IT professionals in the UK, France, and Germany expressing faith in the security of their collaboration environments, only 29% believe their tools are fully suitable for handling sensitive communications.
This disconnect suggests that many organizations are relying on a false sense of security when it comes to collaboration platforms. The survey found that 61% of respondents reported that access to shared files often remained active longer than necessary, while 34% struggled to determine who had access to sensitive files within their organizations. What’s more, 19% found it very difficult to revoke access to collaboration data after granting that access.
The study, conducted by communications provider Wire, highlights the tension between confidence and reality when it comes to collaboration security. As Benjamin Schilz, CEO at Wire, notes, “If you only consider whether you have officially sanctioned collaboration tools, if those tools are governed by IT processes, and whether they live under the umbrella of standard corporate security measures, you might conclude that your official tools are properly secured. But that’s not a wrong answer, it’s just incomplete.”
The survey also shed light on the prevalence of shadow IT in European organizations. Employees frequently resort to using consumer messaging apps, personal cloud storage, and file-sharing services for official purposes when speed and urgency matter, or when external partners don’t use the same tools as them. This practice exposes organizations to significant security and compliance risks.
Wire’s survey found that most organizations are using a combination of collaboration tools, including enterprise messaging platforms, email, online file storage, and consumer messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal. While many organizations are confident in their ability to control access to collaboration data, the reality is often different. Less than a third (28%) of respondents used secure tools for external collaboration, which raises concerns about the control over externally shared files.
The survey’s findings should serve as a wake-up call for European organizations. It’s clear that confidence alone is not enough to secure enterprise collaboration. Organizations need to take a more nuanced approach, acknowledging the risks associated with unsanctioned collaboration tools and implementing robust governance measures to mitigate these risks.
To bridge this gap, IT leaders must reassess their collaboration security strategies, taking into account both officially sanctioned tools and shadow IT practices. By doing so, they can reduce the risk of data breaches, improve compliance, and protect sensitive information shared within and outside their organizations.
Source: Dark Reading — 2026-07-09