Secure SMS Feature

This feature encrypts all SMS messages for Enterprises that need secure messaging, such as medical providers and financial institutions.

When Secure SMS is enabled, these things happen:

1. The content of all SMS messages is encrypted.

2. 1. SMS messages can only be sent from and received in the MS Teams chat interface so that all access to the SMS content can be tracked and recorded by the Microsoft Audit Log Feature.

   1. If using the new Unified Connector App, SMS messages are available only within the associated Group Chat which has the “Do Not Relay User:
      

   2. If using the legacy SMS Connector App, SMS messages are available only within the Teams channel associated with the SMS number. Messages must be sent using the SMS message composer.

3. The SMS application chat screen in Teams is disabled.
   

4. Administrative access to SMS content is restricted to encrypted downloads from the ConnecttoTeams Enterprise Portal.

Compliance Note

ll SMS activity is logged through Microsoft Purview Audit Logs to ensure traceability, monitoring, and regulatory compliance.

Microsoft Requirements

To use Secure SMS, users must have access to:

• Microsoft Purview Audit Logs

• OneDrive for Business

These services are available with Microsoft 365 Premium licenses (for example, Microsoft 365 E5).

Important Note

Secure SMS will not function properly if users do not have a license that includes both Microsoft Purview Audit and OneDrive for Business.

For instructions on enabling and managing audit logs, refer to Microsoft’s documentation:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/purview/audit-teams-audit-log-events#retrieve-teams-data-from-the-audit-log.

Enabling the Secure SMS Feature

Only your ConnecttoTeams service provider can enable the Secure SMS feature for an enterprise. If your enterprise would use this feature, please contact your provider enable this feature for your enterprise.

Note to Provider:

For the instruction to manage this feature, see Secure SMS Configuration.

Export to CSV Behavior (Secure SMS Enabled)

When Secure SMS is enabled, the Export to CSV function on the SMS Transactions page changes to maintain encryption and audit compliance.

Standard Behavior (Secure SMS Disabled)

• Selecting Export to CSV downloads the report directly to the user’s device.

Behavior with Secure SMS Enabled

• The report is not downloaded locally.

• The file is saved to the OneDrive for Business My files folder of the user specified as the Registered Email address.

• The file is saved using the fixed filename: sms_transaction_report.zip

  ⚠️ Warning

  If historical export files are required, download and rename the file before generating a new export to prevent data loss.

Group Texting Limitation with Secure SMS

When Secure SMS is enabled:

• Users cannot initiate new outbound group text messages.

• Group texting is limited to replying within existing group conversations.

• New group chats can only be created after Secure SMS is disabled.

MMS Encryption Considerations

• MMS transmissions within ConnecttoTeams are secured using TLS.

• Not all SMS carriers encrypt MMS content outside the ConnecttoTeams environment.

Compliance Advisory

If your organization requires end-to-end encryption for MMS, confirm encryption standards directly with your SMS carrier.