Learn from 5,000+ comms leaders on exec buy-in, engagement, and the ROI puzzle.
10 years ago, intranets mostly shared lunch menus and holiday schedules. Today, they process payroll, store trade secrets, and coordinate global operations.
This means that IT departments now evaluate intranets the same way they evaluate any system that touches sensitive data. These platforms should have access controls, compliance credentials, and detailed audit logs.
On top of these basics, IT teams now defend against threats that barely existed a decade ago:
- Insider threats from compromised credentials or malicious actors.
- Data leakage through unsecured file sharing and external integrations.
- Compliance gaps that fail audits for GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2 requirements.
- Shadow IT where employees use unapproved tools that bypass security protocols.
- Phishing attacks that target internal communication channels.
- Misconfigured permissions that expose sensitive information to the wrong people.
Modern intranet platforms have come a long way from basic file storage and announcement boards. They function as complete digital workplaces where teams communicate in real time, manage tasks, and connect all your existing tools under one roof. And they do it without compromising on security.
Platforms like SharePoint, Workvivo, Simpplr, Confluence, and Happeo each approach security differently based on what matters most to their customers.
This guide walks through seven vendors that give you both tight security controls and the smooth user experience that brings natural adoption.
What to look for in a secure intranet solution
Not all employee intranet software treats security with the same level of seriousness. When you evaluate vendors, pay attention to these features:
Granular access controls and permissions: The platform should let you define who sees what at multiple levels, like departments, teams, and individual files. Role-based permissions help you enforce the principle of least privilege across the organization – after all, compromised privileged accounts drive about 33% of security incidents.
Compliance certifications: Verify that vendors hold certifications relevant to your industry, whether SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR compliance, or HIPAA. These third-party validations confirm that the platform meets the defined security frameworks.
Single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication: The platform should connect with your existing identity tools like Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, or Active Directory. When you pair SSO with multi-factor authentication, you strengthen security while employees only need to log in once.
Comprehensive audit logs: Every action on the platform should leave a trail of who accessed what, when they did it, and what changes they made. Considering that organizations take an average of 181 days to detect a breach, detailed audit logs can dramatically shorten the window between compromise and containment.
Built-in intrusion detection systems: The system should log every attempted intrusion and stop high-risk access based on threat level. When the system spots a potential threat, it blocks access immediately and alerts your security team.
7 best intranet platforms for secure IT environments
To find these platforms, we reviewed official security pages, verified compliance credentials, and read through user reviews on G2 and Capterra.
We also spent time in Reddit threads and IT forums where security teams discuss their honest experiences with different intranet solutions.
Here’s what we found.
1. Workvivo
Best for: Companies that want an employee experience platform that balances exceptional user experience with enterprise-grade security in a single, straightforward solution.
Workvivo is a complete employee experience platform that unifies internal comms, employee engagement tools, and end-to-end intranet functionality in one digital hub.
The platform balances great user experience and a social-media style interface with enterprise-grade security, so companies can get high employee engagement without compromising data protection.
Key features
- Social-style employee engagement feed: Employees interact through a familiar social media interface with likes, comments, sharing, and rich media support that drives authentic worker engagement.
- Mobile access for all employees: Frontline workers get the same features as desk employees through dedicated iOS and Android apps. Downloads work offline, so staff can read company updates anywhere.
- Insights into employee engagement: Track how employees feel, which content performs best, and where communication breaks down across different teams and offices.
- Unified integration hub: Workvivo connects 40+ tools to create a central workplace hub. Employees access Slack documents, view Teams updates, and check HR schedules without switching platforms.
- Employee recognition and rewards system: Workvivo makes it easy to build culture through peer-to-peer recognition, milestone celebrations, and customizable rewards programs.
Why security-focused teams choose it
- ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications: Workvivo maintains both ISO 27001 certification and SOC 2 Type 2 compliance through annual audits by independent firms. SOC 2 reports are available under NDA to verify security controls.
- Comprehensive ISMS with employee accountability: The company puts security first in all operations and trains every employee on the Information Security Management System. Staff members accept security policy requirements as a condition of employment.
What real users like about Workvivo
Workvivo has been the most secure platform that is available out there. We can interact with our peers, get to know about the recent activities, events, and all sorts of professional updates. Just like how we get on other social media, but this is completely secured.
- G2 Review, Amit K.
What customers are saying about Workvivo
AIB is one of Ireland's largest banks, with over 10,000 employees working across 170 branches throughout Ireland and the UK.
Before Workvivo, AIB used a static SharePoint intranet that only broadcast one-way messages from leadership. Employees couldn't create content, engage with updates, or connect with colleagues across different branches and departments.
And with employees spread across home offices, corporate headquarters, and 170 branch locations, AIB needed a modern communications solution that could reach everyone (from tellers to executives) on any device.
Here's what changed after AIB adopted Workvivo:
- 96% adoption rate across the entire company: More than 10,000 employees signed up and now check Workvivo daily for updates and connections.
- 97% of staff stay active each month: In two years, employees exchanged 191,578 likes and 48,426 comments as they built stronger workplace relationships.
- Survey responses doubled industry averages: AIB now sees 50% to 60% participation rates compared to the typical 30% to 40%, which helps them make better decisions about workplace improvements.
Here's what Roísín Byrne, Employee Communications Manager at AIB, shared about their experience:
Workvivo stood out as its mobile and desktop features could enable us to provide real-time, relevant information that could reach the right employees at the right time.
Having the ability to measure the effectiveness of our comms via the in-platform analytics was really important to us. The built-in secure survey, awards, events, and company news tools would reduce the need for alternative standalone solutions.
Pricing
Workvivo creates custom packages for businesses with 250+ staff members across two service levels:
- Business Plan (250-2,000 staff): Covers employee communications, content library, app integrations, mobile access, and live video broadcasting. Annual costs start at approximately $20,000.
- Enterprise Plan (2,000+ staff): Includes Business Plan features with extra perks like personal account management, comprehensive analytics, and no storage limits. Rates are determined individually.
Each package comes with standard functionality, including campaign tools, employee pulse surveys, recognition systems, and security compliance.
Get in touch with Workvivo to discuss pricing for your organization.
3. Simpplr
Best for: Companies looking to modernize their intranet quickly with AI-powered features and minimal technical overhead.
Simpplr is a unified employee experience platform built around an AI-powered intranet that brings together communication, collaboration, and knowledge management.
Key features
- AI assistant for automated support: The virtual assistant handles routine employee inquiries, resolves common issues, and provides personalized guidance based on user context.
- Advanced analytics with sentiment analysis: Track employee engagement through comprehensive dashboards that include AI-powered sentiment analysis of feedback and interactions.
- No-code extensibility and 200+ integrations: Connect Simpplr to existing cloud applications through pre-built seamless integrations with software platforms like Workday, Salesforce, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace.
Why security-focused teams choose it
- Comprehensive compliance framework support: Companies can meet GDPR, HIPAA, GXP, and 23 NYCRR Part 500 compliance rules through features like retention policies, data subject access requests, standard contractual clauses, and audit trails.
- Enterprise-grade encryption and SIEM integration: The platform protects data through comprehensive encryption, whether stored or moving between systems, complemented by SIEM integration for unified security oversight.
- Regular security audits by independent firms: External security experts audit the platform on an ongoing basis to outline any potential threats. Every sub-processor and cloud provider in the infrastructure maintains SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, too.
What G2 users like about Simpplr
The overall look, features, ease of use, and security checked all the boxes. Simpplr sales worked with us when an unexpected internal issue arose that could have derailed the entire project.
- G2 Review, Anonymous user.
What G2 users dislike about Simpplr
Simpplr appears to cater primarily to large companies with dedicated internal communications staff. As a small to mid-size non-profit, we found that their implementation plan and onboarding support did not align with the realities of our workflow and the many, many different hats our staff wear.
They struggled to adjust their approach to better suit our organization's structure and capacity, oftentimes making it seem like they were rushing us to get things done simply so they could check it off on their own to-do lists.
- G2 Review, Anonymous user.
Pricing
Simpplr builds custom quotes based on your company's size and the intranet features you want. Your subscription includes the platform, training, customer support, and four yearly updates.
Companies with over 500 employees get volume discounts. They offer 14-day free plan trials, but spots are limited.
4. Happeo
Best for: Companies already using Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 who want a native intranet that leverages their existing productivity investments.
Happeo is an AI-powered social intranet platform that connects knowledge management, internal communications, and collaboration tools into one digital workspace. It’s built specifically to support Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 environments.
Key features
- Federated AI search function across all systems: The platform's universal search capability can find information across email, Drive, Slack, Jira, Zendesk, and other integrated tools.
- Template-based page builder with widgets: You can create branded intranet pages using drag-and-drop editors, pre-built templates, and a 12-column grid system.
- Channels for targeted communication: Organize conversations and collaboration around projects, teams, or topics with channels that support posts, announcements, articles, polls, and file sharing.
Why security-focused teams choose it
- ISO 27001:2013 certification and regular audits: Happeo maintains ISO 27001 certification through annual audits by Kiwa Inspecta, an independent global specialist in testing, inspection, and certification.
- SSO and SAML authentication: Single sign-on reduces all application logins to one secure entry point through Google Workspace or Microsoft credentials.
- Built-in DDoS protection and physical security: The platform uses Google Cloud Platform's precautions against Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks across multiple services.
What G2 users like about Happeo
The digital platform has a great way to manage permissions and works on an opt-in rather than opt-out basis, ensuring that the security of information has to be explicitly shared with other participants.
- G2 Review, Nejc P.
What G2 users dislike about Happeo
“We found that Happeo's features were not as smooth or error-free as Google’s products. In the end, now that we have a culture of ownership and collaboration, we decided to make the shift back to Google for our intranet needs.”
- G2 Review, Chris C.
Pricing
Pricing varies based on your team size and which features you need.
Happeo provides three plans (Starter, Growth, and Enterprise), with custom quotes available through their sales team.
5. Confluence (Atlassian)
Best for: Teams that need comprehensive documentation capabilities with strong version control and native integration with Jira and other Atlassian tools.
Confluence functions as Atlassian’s collaborative documentation platform that centralizes team knowledge, project information, and company docs in organized spaces.
Key features
- Hierarchical page organization with spaces: Create structured knowledge bases organized into spaces for teams, projects, or departments, with nested page trees that make information easy to find.
- Real-time collaborative editing with version history: Multiple team members can edit documents simultaneously, with changes syncing instantly across all users.
- Customizable templates and macros: Jump-start documentation with pre-built templates for product requirements, meeting notes, project plans, and technical specifications.
Why security-focused teams choose it
- Comprehensive compliance certifications: Atlassian maintains SOC 2 Type 2, SOC 3, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27018, PCI DSS, and GDPR compliance through regular third-party audits.
- 99.9% uptime SLA with Premium plans: Confluence Cloud Premium guarantees uptime backed by financially supported service credits.
- Bug Bounty program and security partnerships: Atlassian partners with Bugcrowd to reward security researchers who find and report vulnerabilities.
What G2 users like about Confluence
The security features of the application are great, it keeps all the content and important data encrypted while processing or sending. No data is misplaced or leaked due to this.
- G2 Review, Manoj J.
What G2 users dislike about Confluence
The intuitiveness, the ease of use, could be a little more 'dumbed down.' Sometimes it can be hard to link articles and reference each article.
We moved to the cloud version a couple of months ago, and the original version of Confluence definitely felt more user-friendly.
- G2 Review, Olivier G.
Pricing
The platform offers four pricing levels:
- Free: No cost for up to 10 users. Includes 2GB storage, essential features, and community-based support.
- Standard: $5.16 monthly per user. Provides advanced permission settings, 250GB storage, business hours support (9/5), and supports up to 150,000 users.
- Premium: $9.73 monthly per user. Features unlimited storage, AI tools, round-the-clock support, and guarantees 99.9% uptime.
- Enterprise: Custom rates. Delivers advanced analytics, multi-site capabilities, 24/7 support, and ensures 99.95% uptime.
Annual payment saves you 17%, and paid tiers include free trial options.
6. LumApps
Best for: Large enterprises using Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 that need AI-powered personalization and extensive customization for global, distributed workforces.
LumApps is an enterprise-grade employee experience platform that leverages artificial intelligence to personalize every interaction employees have with company content and communications.
Key features
- AI-powered hyper-personalization: The platform uses advanced analytics and AI to customize communications and content for individual employees based on roles, geographic locations, departments, and interests.
- Multi-channel communication campaigns: Teams can deliver targeted messages and notifications through web, mobile app, email newsletters, social feeds, and integrated chat platforms simultaneously.
- Extensive customization and white-labeling: Organizations can fully customize the platform with company branding, custom themes, layouts, widget styling, and branded mobile apps.
Why security-focused teams choose it
- Data encryption at rest and in transit: All data encrypts automatically whether stored or transmitted. The platform runs on Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure with a 99.97% uptime SLA.
- GDPR compliance with full data control: The platform meets GDPR requirements through proper data processing agreements, standard contractual clauses, and a dedicated Data Protection Officer.
- Microsoft Conditional Access integration: Integration with Microsoft Conditional Access gives you control over who accesses what and how. You can set rules based on employee location, device type, or security level needed for specific documents.
What G2 users like about LumApps
It is easy to publish, we have a strong intuitive navigation, search works well, metadata is very helpful in sorting information, and easy-to-use widgets to create different types of content.
I am on the platform every day and find it easy to use as a content creator, admin, and end user.
- G2 Review, Anonymous user.
What G2 users dislike about LumApps
While it mostly integrates well with the platform, there are some limitations, especially for larger companies that have one Azure tenant for multiple sub-companies.
Restrictions placed on us by IT have limited some of the integrations we wanted, such as calendars, due to security concerns and Microsoft bugs.
- G2 Review, Anonymous user.
Pricing
LumApps offers tailored enterprise pricing that depends on your selected package level and number of users. You'll need to contact their sales team to get a specific quote.
7. Unily
Best for: Global enterprises with complex, multi-location operations that need an enterprise-grade intranet with white-glove implementation support.
Unily is another popular enterprise intranet solution that’s built specifically for organizations with thousands of employees spread across multiple countries, languages, and business units.
Key features
- Multi-language and multi-site architecture: Support global workforces with native multi-language capabilities and separate site structures for different regions and business units.
- Mobile-first experience with offline access: Native mobile apps bring consistent experiences across devices with offline capabilities that keep field workers and frontline employees connected.
- Enterprise task management with advanced personalization: You can build complex content structures with targeting rules that show the right information to the right employees based on their role or department.
Why security-focused teams choose it
- Comprehensive threat protection and monitoring: The platform uses network intrusion detection and prevention, cloud-native SIEM/SOAR for monitoring, data loss prevention tools, and weekly vulnerability scans.
- Strong encryption using NIST and Azure standards: The platform encrypts data at rest and in transit using industry standards like NIST Cyber-Security Framework and Azure CIS 1.3.0.
- Multi-factor authentication and privileged access management: MFA protects internal access and VPN connections, while privileged identity management systems control emergency access to production environments with temporary credentials.
What G2 users like about Unily
Unily is very security / GDPR conscious - this is important to us, and Unily has been extremely responsive in addressing any questions we have had in these areas.
“We consider their compliance in these areas to be top tier among our supplier base.
- G2 Review, Steve B.
What G2 users dislike about Unily
We'd love for there to be additional customizable options for end users to take advantage of. Currently, there are offerings from Unily, but many of the customized choices are only offered at an additional SOW cost.
If there were more out-of-the-box solutions, but with some small custom options (such as icon changes, colors, etc.), this would be a great enhancement.
- G2 Review, Lindsay S.
Pricing
Unily prices their platform based on which modules you pick (Reach, Engage, Amplify, Extend) and how many users you have.
Every plan includes the basics like onboarding, customer success, support, and security. You'll need to contact them for a quote that fits your specific needs.
Upgrade your intranet security with Workvivo
IT teams in charge of data can't afford intranets that make them choose between employee experience and security controls.
Without granular access control, multi-layered authentication, and integration with current security tools, your intranet platform can become your weakest link.
Workvivo delivers exactly what security-conscious organizations need.
Workvivo is an all-in-one central hub where employees connect, share files and updates, and find information instantly, all protected by bank-level security that satisfies your strictest compliance requirements.
When it comes to security, teams choose Workvivo because:
- Dual gold-standard certifications: Independent auditors verify Workvivo's security controls annually, with both certifications publicly available through Zoom's trust center.
- Transparent security reporting: Get full access to SOC 2 Type 2 reports under NDA that detail Workvivo's controls for security, availability, confidentiality, privacy, and process integrity.
- Comprehensive ISMS with embedded security culture: Every Workvivo employee operates within a well-defined Information Security Management System, with security responsibilities written directly into employment contracts and regular training requirements.
- Enterprise-grade encryption and data protection: Workvivo encrypts all data in storage and during transmission, runs frequent security assessments, and builds protection directly into the platform architecture.
- Seamless SSO and authentication options: You can connect Workvivo directly to Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Active Directory, and your other identity tools for single sign-on with MFA protection.
Schedule a demo to see the platform in action and discuss your specific security requirements.
FAQs about secure intranet software
How does a secure intranet solution streamline employee communication and engagement?
Security and engagement work together – employees only adopt platforms they trust, and they only trust platforms that protect their data. The right intranet software balances both needs seamlessly.
- Employees share ideas freely when they know the platform protects their data and conversations stay within company walls audience.
- Teams collaborate on sensitive projects without worrying about information leaking to competitors or unauthorized users.
- Remote and deskless workers can access company resources from anywhere while IT maintains complete control over who sees what.
- Managers communicate transparently about company changes, knowing only the right people receive the message.
- Staff can easily use the platform daily because single sign-on removes the friction of multiple passwords and logins.
What are common security use cases for modern company intranet tools?
Security-focused organizations use intranets for their most sensitive operations, from handling employee data to protecting trade secrets. Here are some common use cases:
- Incident response coordination: Security teams coordinate breach responses through protected channels while audit logs track every employee who views or shares crisis information.
- Compliance documentation: HR teams store medical records, financial documents, and employee files behind permissions that restrict access to only those who need it.
- M&A communications: Executives discuss potential deals in locked-down channels where every message and document view gets logged for regulatory compliance.
- Intellectual property protection: R&D teams work on confidential projects with controls that track document versions and block unauthorized copying or external sharing.
- Remote workforce management: IT adds or removes employee access in real-time, keeping data secure as contractors finish projects and new hires start remotely.
How does Workvivo compare to competitors when it comes to intranet security?
While many complex enterprise systems sacrifice user experience for intranet security, Workvivo proves you can have both. Here's how Workvivo's security measures up against the competition:
- Dual certifications like enterprise leaders: Workvivo holds the same ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications as SharePoint and Confluence, validated through independent annual audits.
- Transparent security reporting: Unlike many competitors, Workvivo makes SOC 2 reports available under NDA so you can verify their security controls yourself.
- Zoom's security infrastructure: As part of Zoom, Workvivo benefits from enterprise-grade security investments that smaller intranet software solutions can't match.
- Security without complexity: While SharePoint requires extensive IT configuration and Confluence needs multiple add-ons for full security, Workvivo delivers protection out of the box.
- Comprehensive ISMS like Unily and LumApps: Every Workvivo employee operates within their Information Security Management System, with security built into employment contracts.
What security-focused integrations does Workvivo offer?
Workvivo's security integrations connect with your existing identity infrastructure and authentication systems to keep data protected across every connected platform:
- SSO with major identity providers: Workvivo supports SAML 2.0 single sign-on through Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Okta, and Active Directory, so employees can access the platform with their existing credentials while IT has centralized control.
- Deep Microsoft 365 security integration: Native connections with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive leverage Microsoft's security infrastructure.
- Google Workspace authentication: Organizations using Google can integrate authentication and access management through Google's security framework.
- Secure productivity suite connections: Files accessed through integrated platforms like Box, Confluence, Google Drive, and SharePoint remain protected.