Zoom has made a major move into the defence technology market with the launch of Zoom for Defense, a secure collaboration platform designed specifically for the U.S. Department of Defense.
The platform is purpose-built to operate at Impact Level 4 (IL4), meaning it can handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and function safely over the Department’s NIPRNet.
It combines Zoom’s familiar interface with strict security and compliance, making it suitable for agencies, contractors, and mission-critical partners.
“From entrepreneurs to global enterprises and government agencies, Zoom is designed to enable seamless and secure collaboration, while prioritizing users’ privacy, security, and experience, all in one easy to use platform,” said Velchamy Sankarlingam, President of Product and Engineering at Zoom.
“Zoom for Defense reflects our continued commitment to delivering trusted, mission-critical technology that supports the essential work of the Department of Defense.”
Familiar Tools, Rebuilt for Defence
Zoom for Defense offers enterprise users the tools they already know – Zoom Meetings, Team Chat, Webinars, Events, Rooms, and the Zoom AI Companion – but with a secure, mission-ready foundation.
Data is isolated, monitored, and controlled to meet the Department’s stringent security standards.
All hosting is US-based, and the company says the platform integrates smoothly into military workflows.
Zoom plans to expand the suite next year with Zoom Phone and Zoom Contact Centre, providing agencies with a fully integrated communications environment.
This would allow voice, video, messaging, and workflow orchestration all from one platform.
The Pentagon’s Push into AI
Zoom’s launch arrives alongside a significant digital transformation in the Pentagon.
Earlier this week, the Department deployed Gemini for Government, Google Cloud’s generative AI platform, across its GenAI.mil system.
This makes AI tools available on desktops throughout U.S. military installations worldwide.
Personnel can use Gemini for Government to conduct research, format documents, analyse video and imagery, and automate routine administrative tasks.
Google confirmed that none of the Department’s data would be used to train public models, ensuring data security.
Although Zoom for Defense and Gemini are not directly integrated, their near-simultaneous deployment highlights a broader shift – the Pentagon is rapidly adopting commercial technologies hardened for mission-critical environments.
Secure communications are being modernised, and AI capabilities are now deployed at scale, supporting daily operations and decision-making.
Emil Michael, US Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, described the AI rollout as a step towards creating an “AI-first workforce.”
What This Means for Collaboration Technology
Zoom for Defense could mark a turning point for unified communications in government.
Defence agencies have traditionally avoided mainstream collaboration tools due to compliance and security concerns.
By achieving IL4 standards, Zoom has demonstrated that commercial platforms can meet strict military requirements while remaining user-friendly.
The launch will likely push competitors, such as Microsoft and Cisco, to develop secure, defence-ready environments.
Zoom’s move suggests that hardened commercial platforms, rather than bespoke legacy systems, could become the default approach for national-security communications.
There is also potential for future convergence with AI.
While Zoom’s AI Companion is not yet integrated with Gemini, the platform may eventually support summarisation and task automation.
Challenges Remain
But adopting commercial platforms in defence comes with challenges.
Security is critical – even hardened tools must withstand sophisticated cyber threats.
Integration with legacy systems can be complex, and reliance on commercial providers introduces supply-chain and vendor dependency risks.
Workforce adoption is another factor, as tools must meet compliance requirements but remain intuitive for personnel.
The Pentagon is providing training, but embedding these platforms across millions of users will take careful planning.
Generative AI adds further complexity. While Gemini can accelerate research and administrative tasks, potential errors or hallucinations require strong governance and validation.
Both Zoom and Gemini’s AI deployments must balance efficiency with accuracy and security.
A Look Ahead
Zoom for Defense is more than a product launch – it represents a milestone in the Pentagon’s digital transformation.
Secure collaboration, once limited to bespoke, slow-moving systems, is now delivered through commercial platforms that are easy to use, continuously updated, and scalable.
By entering this market, Zoom positions itself as a key player in the evolving defence technology landscape. The launch demonstrates how commercial-grade technology can underpin secure, mission-ready collaboration in government and national security contexts – a trend likely to shape the sector for years to come.
