Intelligence officers scan banks of monitors in an operations room, viewing live satellite feeds, while mission-critical updates stream in. Mission commanders and analysts from partner nations join a secure briefing and discuss a common operation picture. An operator in the field, close to the action, provides a real-time situational assessment. They aren’t in the same location, or even the same continent, but the success of the mission depends on their ability to collaborate in real time, without compromise.
For defense organizations, secure collaboration goes far beyond simply keeping conversations private. It’s about ensuring that sensitive data never falls into the wrong hands. Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, and threat actors are no longer simply trying to ‘listen in’; they aim to manipulate and exploit digital communications. In these high-stakes environments, conventional security measures aren’t enough. A more dynamic advantage is needed – an approach in which security follows the data, with access carefully controlled and granted only under the right conditions.
The power of access control in defense collaboration
This challenge is the catalyst behind the collaboration between Pexip and Virtru, two companies with deep expertise in secure communications. Pexip provides secure, private video conferencing solutions built for mission-critical environments, while Virtru delivers data-centric security with granular access controls that protect sensitive information at the data level—ensuring security persists even when shared across diverse networks.
“In defense operations, real-time collaboration is essential, but so is the ability to control exactly who has access,” says Nick Ross, Head of Defense UK&I, Pexip. “By integrating Pexip’s secure video solutions with Virtru's advanced data protection and granular access controls, we are giving defense organizations the ability to protect sensitive conversations while improving operational agility, giving mission partners the advantage of speed and control.”
Secure collaboration across systems and requirements
As military alliances and defense networks grow more interconnected, balancing security with interoperability is becoming increasingly complex. Defense agencies need to collaborate with partners across different domains and systems while ensuring compliance with information classifications and frameworks such as NIST, ITAR, and NATO standards. The Pexip + Virtru solution enforces Zero Trust principles while allowing seamless communication across multiple platforms, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access classified discussions.
“It has been impressive how quickly the community has picked up Data-Centric Interoperability. Looking at recent exercises alone, you've seen partner nations realizing that data-centric security and real-time communications are now an imperative,” says Shannon Vaughn, General Manager, Federal at Virtru.
Every interaction protected
The need for secure, policy-driven communications extends beyond classified briefings. From joint military operations and intelligence sharing to virtual training and mission planning, defense organizations must ensure that every interaction remains protected from cyber intrusion, insider threats, and unauthorized access. As cyber risks continue to evolve, Pexip and Virtru offer a solution that ensures national security stays in the hands of those entrusted with it.
Learn more about our approach to secure collaboration in defense.
