Key takeaways
- C Chat protects messages with TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest, using per-organization keys.
- Team owners and admins can audit and export their team's group conversations.
- Direct messages between people are private and are not part of the team audit.
- C Chat is not end-to-end encrypted by design: the business keeps oversight of work groups.
- Platform access to content happens only for reported-message moderation or legal requirements, and it is logged.
Business messaging has two jobs that pull in opposite directions. It must keep outsiders from reading what your team says, and it must let the company answer for what was said in its name. Consumer messengers usually optimize for the first job only. C Chat uses auditable encryption so that both jobs get done.
What auditable encryption does in C Chat
Auditable encryption in C Chat combines strong encryption with business oversight of work groups. It has three layers:
| Layer | What it protects | Who can review content |
|---|---|---|
| TLS in transit | Messages moving between your device and C Chat | Nobody on the network path |
| AES-256 at rest, per-organization key | Messages stored on the servers | Not readable as plain data in storage |
| Auditable groups | Your team’s group conversations | Team owners and admins, for audit and export |
Direct messages between two people sit outside the third layer: they are encrypted the same way, but owners and admins cannot audit them. The full model is explained in auditable encryption vs end-to-end encryption.
Security companies that run CGuard Pro have one extra case: they can audit groups and security-related chats between guards and the office, because those conversations are part of the security service itself.
How to use auditable encryption step by step
There is nothing to switch on. Auditable encryption is how C Chat works for every team. What you decide is how to use the oversight:
- Put work in groups. Site updates, client communication and incident reports belong in team groups, where they can be audited.
- Assign owners and admins deliberately. Only people who should be able to review records get those roles.
- Tell your team the rules. Explain that group conversations can be reviewed by the company and that direct messages are private.
- Audit or export when there is a reason. Use audit and export of group conversations for a dispute, an incident or a records request.
Real scenarios from business teams
- A client dispute. A facility manager claims a cleaning crew skipped a floor. The owner exports the site group with its timestamps and photos instead of collecting screenshots from five phones.
- A former employee. A technician leaves on bad terms. His work in groups stays with the company because the groups belong to the team, not to his phone.
- A regulated contractor. A firm working with public agencies needs to show how project communication is kept. See messaging for government contractors and keeping compliant chat records.
Privacy, permissions and limits
Auditable does not mean open to everyone. Keep these boundaries in mind:
- Only owners and admins audit, and only group conversations of their team. Regular members cannot.
- Direct messages are private. Use them for personal matters, HR questions or anything that should not be part of the work record. Read why direct messages stay private.
- Platform access is narrow and logged. C Chat itself only accesses content for reported-message moderation or legal requirements, and that access leaves an audit log entry.
- C Chat is not end-to-end encrypted. If your organization needs a tool where no one except participants can ever read content, compare options in C Chat vs Signal for business and C Chat vs Threema Work.
Tips for admins
- Audit with a purpose. Follow how to audit team conversations responsibly: have a reason, limit the scope, record who looked.
- Decide how long you keep records. The chat data retention policy guide helps you set expectations; confirm legal obligations with your counsel.
- Prepare exports properly. For disputes, follow exporting chats for compliance and disputes.
- Evaluate fit honestly. If you are still choosing a tool, read how to choose a secure messenger for business.
Getting started
Create your team in the web app at getcchat.com/c, set up groups for the work you need on record, and invite your staff. The encryption is on from the first message, and the security overview covers the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between auditable encryption and end-to-end encryption?
With end-to-end encryption, only the devices in a conversation hold the keys, so not even the organization can review messages. With auditable encryption, content is still encrypted in transit and at rest, but the business that owns the work groups can review and export them for compliance, disputes or investigations.
Can my boss read my direct messages in C Chat?
No. Team owners and admins can audit and export group conversations of their team, but direct messages between people are private and are not included in that audit.
Can C Chat staff read our messages?
The C Chat platform only accesses content to moderate messages that were reported or to meet legal requirements, and every such access is logged. It does not browse team conversations otherwise.
Why would a company choose auditable encryption?
Many businesses need a record of work communication: to settle disputes with clients, investigate incidents, answer regulators or keep evidence after an employee leaves. Auditable encryption keeps that record available to the business while still encrypting the data.
Is auditable encryption less secure?
It is a different trade-off, not a weaker cipher. The data is still protected with TLS and AES-256; the difference is who can review group content. If your priority is that nobody but the participants can ever read a message, an end-to-end encrypted tool is the better fit.