Top 12 Slack Security Best Practices In 2024

Slack might feel like the digital version of your office break room with quick chats, project updates, and even a few memes thrown in. 

But beneath all the banter lies series business, and with business comes responsibility. 

So, while you’re busy coordinating projects, someone with less-than-good intentions might be eyeing those sensitive conversations. 

Just ask The Walt Disney Company, which recently decided to move away from Slack after a massive hack exposed over a terabyte of sensitive company data. 

This shows that security should never be an afterthought, no matter how casual a tool feels. 

So, how do you keep Slack safe in 2024? Spoiler alert: strong passwords alone won’t help. Stick around as we discuss the top 12 Slack security best practices you need to keep your workspace running smoothly, minus the unpleasant surprises. 

Slack Security Best Practices to Consider In 2024

According to the official Slack website, a staggering 80% of Fortune 100 companies use the tool for business communication. Any weak spot in security can open the door to unauthorized access, which may lead to data breaches. 

So, whether you’re part of a small team or a large enterprise, implementing Slack security best practices is a non-negotiable. 

1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

According to research, a whopping 80% of data breaches occur due to weak passwords. Sure, you might now think your strong password has you covered but don’t celebrate just yet. 

Turns out that it takes no more than 37 seconds to crack a simple eight-character password. One straightforward fact is that hackers are getting more sophisticated. 

However, Multi-Factor Authentication can help you in this regard. MFA requires users to provide two or more verification factors (think one-time codes, fingerprint scans, or security tokens). 

According to IBM, MFA adds “an extra layer of security.” 

So, even if someone gets their hands on your password, they’ll still hit a wall without the additional authentication steps. 

It’s a simple yet highly effective way to keep your sensitive information safe.

2. Use Single Sign-On (SSO)

Single Sign-On (SSO) simplifies your access to Slack by allowing you to use a single set of credentials from a centralized identity provider (like Microsoft Azure Active Directory or Okta). 

This means no more password overload or frantic password resets when you forget that one random login. 

The beauty of SSO lies in its dual benefits: enhanced security and improved efficiency. In other words, SSO keeps unauthorized access at bay and streamlines your team’s login process. 

Research highlights that SSO “undoubtedly makes it easier and safer by reducing to only one account per user for all services, number of passwords, and central management of roles to define resource access control.”

3. Control Channel Access

Let’s be real: not every Slack channel needs an open-door policy. 

Put simply, you need to manage who can join which channels. This will keep the sensitive information where it belongs (among the right people).

Start by clearly defining public and private channels, and make it a habit to regularly audit memberships. 

This way, you minimize the risk of leaks and maintain a space where discussions can take place without unnecessary distractions.

Further, encourage your team leads to keep their channel guest lists fresh. As projects evolve, so should access. We mean, just because someone is on the guest list today doesn’t mean they should stay forever.

1. Monitor and Limit Third-Party App Integrations

Integrating third-party apps into Slack can improve your workflow, but you need to tread carefully. While these apps make your life easier, if left unchecked, they can also be potential entry points for security breaches.

Following Slack security best practices, start by keeping a close eye on which apps your team is using. Regular audits of your app integrations can help you identify unnecessary apps that could pose a risk. 

If an app hasn’t seen action in months, it’s probably time to kick it to the curb.

And don’t forget to set strict guidelines for app integrations. We recommend sticking to using well-known apps that have a solid reputation and strong security protocols. A little vigilance goes a long way in keeping your Slack workspace secure. 

2. Deactivate Inactive or Old Accounts

Those inactive or old accounts sitting in your Slack workspace are just waiting to be a problem. When someone leaves the team, or an account gathers dust, it’s a security risk you don’t need. 

So, why keep them around?

Make it a regular habit to review your user list and deactivate any accounts that are no longer needed. It’s a quick win for security. Plus, it means only the right people have access to your workspace.

3. Set Session Timeouts

Nobody remembers to log out every time, and that’s precisely where session timeouts help. 

Slack security best practices recommend using this feature to automatically log out users after a period of inactivity.

As a business, this gives you peace of mind that no one’s account is left wide open.

First, it prevents unauthorized access when someone leaves their desk or steps away. Second, it adds an extra layer of security on shared devices. 

You can customize how long users can stay logged in before this feature works (just enough time to grab a coffee, but not enough to risk any security mishaps). 

Check out this page to learn how session duration works. 

4. Use Guest Accounts for External Collaborators

Bringing in external collaborators? Great! But handing them the keys to your entire Slack workspace? Not so great. This is where you can take advantage of Slack’s guest accounts. 

Guest accounts let you give freelancers, clients, or partners access to only what they need. Nothing more, nothing less. 

This way, instead of granting them full access, you get to keep sensitive channels and information tucked away safely. 

It’s an easy, no-nonsense way to keep things secure while collaborating. You get the help you need without opening the door to potential security risks.

5. Educate Employees on Phishing Risks

All the fancy security tools in the world won’t help if your team falls for a phishing scam. 

Hackers love to exploit human error, and phishing emails are their favorite trick. 

IBM highlights that hackers can send “fraudulent emails, text messages, phone calls, or websites” to trick individuals into sharing their personal information. 

This implies these scams are no longer limited to emails. Besides, according to Statistica, the number of these attacks is growing, with 1 million unique phishing scams taking place worldwide in the first quarter of this year.  

Therefore, make sure your team knows what to look for. This may include sketchy links, unexpected attachments, or emails asking for login information. 

So, a quick reminder to “think before you click” can save your workspace from a world of trouble. Regular training will make it harder for scammers to slip through the cracks. 

6. Data Encryption and Enterprise Key Management (EKM)

When it comes to keeping your data under wraps, Slack doesn’t disappoint. It offers solid data encryption, keeping your messages scrambled into unreadable code. This makes it nearly impossible for any snoopy intruders to eavesdrop. 

But that’s not all. With Enterprise Key Management (EKM), you’re in the driver’s seat. Put simply, you get to control and rotate your encryption keys, which keeps your data locked up tight. 

So whether you’re sharing trade secrets or just your lunch order, you can trust that the platform lets you implement some Slack security best practices to keep your sensitive info safe. 

7.  Conduct Regular Audits

Security isn’t a “set it and forget it” situation. You need to conduct regular audits to look at who has access to what. 

The beauty of audits lies in their ability to reveal hidden vulnerabilities. They help tighten security protocols by letting the right people access your sensitive information. 

This proactive approach boosts the team’s confidence since everyone knows their data is in good hands.

Plus, audits can uncover opportunities for improvement. Maybe you’ll discover that your team needs a new extension for better collaboration. 

Regular check-ins mean your workspace is secure and optimized for efficiency. So, make audits a habit. Your Slack workspace will thank you!

8. Verify Email Domains 

When adding new members to your Slack workspace, it’s crucial to balance convenience with security. One of the Slack security best practices is to set up a signup mode that allows only those with an approved email domain to join.

As a workspace owner, you have the authority to set up a signup mode that lets anyone with an approved email domain waltz right in.

But don’t get too carried away with the “open doors” policy just yet. It’s important to verify that you actually own the email domains you’ve approved. 

Verifying email domains keeps your workspace exclusive by allowing only the right folks to join the conversation. 

So, check those domains and make sure your digital space is full of trusted people. Here’s a quick guide on how to verify email domains in Slack. 

9. Third-Party Data Protection

Finally, you can go for a third-party integration with SpinOne for Slack. It brings functionality right to your fingertips, all while keeping your data safe. Here’s how it delivers top-notch protection. 

• Slack Backup and Recovery: Accidental message deletion? No problem! SpinOne has your back with reliable backup options.
• Multi-Workspace Management: If you’re juggling multiple teams, SpinOne for Slack lets you manage all your workspaces from one dashboard. This keeps chaos at bay and everyone on the same page.
• Powerful Automation: SpinOne takes care of your data with automated backups because who has time for manual labor? 
• Risk Assessment: It provides automated inventories and assessments of your apps to help you spot potential risks before they become problems.
• Misconfiguration Management: Say goodbye to compliance headaches by Identifying and addressing misconfigurations automatically.
• Flexible Retention & Secure Storage: Choose how long you want to keep your backups, from six months to forever, with secure storage options like AWS and GCP.

Overall, SpinOne handles Slack security by providing a full suite of protection that goes beyond the basics. Curious to see how it works? 

Book your Demo today to find out more about our services!