Business security is always a big concern for companies both big and small. More so when people start moving to a newer technology, there are worries about how safe it is. It is among the biggest worries for companies thinking about switching to VoIP (it is even a concern for businesses that have already made the switch). For most businesses, the big question is, what does VoIP mean for your business? We have tried to answer your questions below.
Is VoIP Secure?
Using VoIP for your telephone needs has lots of benefits, yet despite proven benefits, many companies are still using old systems.
So, can you trust a VoIP system?
We explain here why VoIP is a secure form of telephony, and how to make sure your VoIP solution is safe and effective.
Why Does VoIP Security Matter?
Business leaders worry about the security of VoIP for the same reason they worry about online data security in lots of different use cases.
Internet security (and web-based telephony systems) is a concern from a broad perspective.
Some people worry that:
- Calls may be recorded without the user’s knowledge
- Call logs can escape into the wild
- VoIP accounts can get hacked, and criminals will run up huge bills that account holders will be forced to pay
- Regulation: Will my VoIP solution be compliant with the latest data protection regulation?
- Service disruptions thanks to a Denial of Service (or DoS) attack
- Concern that the software on VoIP phones will get infected with a virus
Security risks can always be alleviated, and professionally installed VoIP networks are highly secure.
How can you make sure your VoIP is more secure?
Consider these two important factors:
First, be aware of the security protocols your VoIP provider has in place. Some VoIP applications will not put up any security hurdles, thereby leaving your business data vulnerable. Make sure to use a VoIP provider that puts up security hurdles that
Second, make sure to secure your own network. Ensure the secured VoIP system you choose relies on the security of the networks that carry the VoIP traffic. Securing your own network, for example, is therefore key.
Make sure your VoIP implementation is secure. How can you do this? One way is to engage with a secure Voice over IP service provider such as Savincom.
End-to-End Encryption
Now that you have ensured that you use a secure provider such as Nextiva, you need to make sure your own internal networks are sufficiently secure to avoid any possible VoIP risks.
Unencrypted Internet networks are prone to hacker snooping. By contrast, Internet data that is encrypted is of no use to anyone who manages to record the data transmission. Encryption that runs end-to-end is therefore important. Data should be encrypted on every possible layer.
WiFi Encryption
Data sent over your internal office WiFi should be encrypted because WiFi is easily susceptible to snooping. VoIP calls made over unencrypted WiFi can leave key data points exposed to anyone who cares to snoop. Your users should never connect their mobile devices to unsecured WiFi networks because doing so can expose network transmissions – including VoIP data.
User Security
User security is also an important factor when it comes to making sure your VoIP traffic stays out of prying hands.
A few security tips:
- Enforce strong password rules for your VoIP sessions
- Always make sure default passwords are changed (including default passwords for handsets and user accounts)
- Set rules for all passwords (including character length and requirements for both symbols and capital letters)
- Change passwords every 12 months
- Restrict the use of insecure Wi-Fi networks
- Encourage users to report anomalies (often a hacker will leave a trace, like a deleted voicemail or a voicemail forwarded to an odd destination)
- Don’t store voicemails longer than you need to, as this increases the amount of information a hacker has access to
User security also pushes through to device security on a number of layers. For example, passwords are important. Users should pay attention to the password they use on their devices. Many users use hosted VoIP via apps for Android and iOS handsets. These handsets are only as secure as the passwords used to protect them. Make sure users use strong passwords for their devices.
Mobile Device Management Policies
On an enterprise level, it is important to secure VoIP devices by enforcing secure passwords and having the ability to remotely wipe a device.
Firmware on VoIP phones
Still, many calls inside enterprises will be made from a traditional phone-like handset. VoIP handsets may look and feel like a normal phone, but they carry sophisticated software.
Any software-driven device is prone to intrusion attempts, and the chance of success often depends on how up to date the software is.
This is why it is so important to always update the firmware on your VoIP handsets. These updates are regularly released by manufacturers when vulnerabilities are discovered. In turn, hackers tend to seize on known vulnerabilities, so if you don’t keep your hardware up to date the chance of handsets getting hacked increases.
The same concerns apply to companies who prefer to keep VoIP infrastructure hardware on-premise; VoIP servers should also be patched regularly. Device security is an important layer when it comes to making sure your VoIP network is secure against intrusion.
Choosing a Secure VoIP Provider
A good VoIP provider will help you to put in place the right security measures to make sure your VoIP infrastructure meets the necessary security requirements. When thinking about how to secure VoIP, it is just a matter of putting the right measures in place and selecting the right provider. In doing so, your VoIP solution can be far more secure than a PSTN solution.
You can rest assured that your VoIP solution, when acquired from a provider such as Savincom, will meet all the important regulatory obligations.
VoIP is Secure
To summarise, VoIP is secure in the same way many other activities are secure if precautions are taken, and if a reliable supplier is utilized. The reliability of your VoIP supplier is your first concern when it comes to security. An established supplier is key to ensuring that you avoid VoIP security issues.
Much of the security responsibilities lie with your VoIP provider and are simply beyond your control. That’s why it is so important to work with a VoIP provider that you can trust. Your VoIP solution will be secure if in addition to making use of a secure VoIP provider you also take your own security precautions, including securing your internal network and making sure user practices are in line with security requirements.
An ultimate layer of protection is, of course, making use of encrypted VoIP. With encrypted VoIP, other issues such as network security protocols will simply play less of a role.
