Security Choosing A Secure VoIP Provider February 18, 2020August 21, 2020 Cyber crime operations in telecommunications are now among the multi-million dollar businesses thriving in 2020. Cyber criminals are able to blitz telecommunication infrastructure and pilfer precious pieces of data with ease. Attacks are becoming extremely sophisticated and at the same time very discreet. At times, they are only detectable once the damage has been done. The new wave of cyber crime is sending organizations into a panic. How do vulnerable industries such as healthcare and financial services prevent confidential client information from being sold on the dark web? Incessantly upgrading security solutions is one way, however, this can be an exhaustive and expensive process. It may help to thwart the latest threats, but it is not unlike a hamster-wheel. Many CIOs want to stop running in circles and start making real, affordable improvements to their company’s voice security. Now more than ever, businesses are turning to telecommunication providers who focus on security for results. Reputable and secure telecom providers are imperative to high-risk industries that require enhanced security features to protect their sensitive voice communications. These organizations are employing professionals who can navigate complex, unknown threats and adapt to constant changes. Selecting a capable, consistent and reliable provider is an important decision. Here are the five key characteristics to look for in a VoIP provider that will help narrow your search. Data Encryption A new basic prerequisite for all VoIP service providers is their level of commitment to data encryption. Encryption is the practice of converting data from plain text to cipher text. It essentially takes information in its original, fully vulnerable form and encoding it. This helps to protect sensitive data from prying eyes. It should be mandatory that a VoIP service provider works to protect your data when it is in use, in transit and at rest. This protection should be at all levels, from the IP desk phones to the PBX, and right to the SIP trunk that provides connectivity. Voice is data, and no matter where the information is travelling to, it should never be at significant risk of compromise. Redundancy Redundancy is paramount for VoIP architecture. When infrastructure is redundant, it means that it employs several channels of connection to switch between in the instance of a failure. This ensures that all voice traffic is kept safe. It helps guarantee prompt data recovery with zero loss, compromise or corruption. A VoIP provider must be able to prove that they have a fully redundant infrastructure and that there is no single point of failure. Secure Access Controls Granular access control is an effective option that VoIP service providers use to reduce unwarranted disclosure of private voice data. Ask yourself, how are default passwords handled? Who has access to call recordings? Who can access private voicemail recordings? A secure provider will proactively outline and apply the rules that dictate who can access what information. Certain users within your organization can be permitted to access data that is otherwise restricted. These authorizations can be highly filtered based on specific times, dates and locations. Whatever unique requirements your business has, a provider can find a solution that keeps client information in safe hands. Active Monitoring A provider should be consistently available, offering 24/7 monitoring of your voice network. A constant meticulous scan of activity can easily help to detect security issues. A good provider will go beyond detection after the fact to solve the problem and make changes. To help prevent a recurrence, ideally you want to choose a team that is well-versed in standard and little-known threats. With the constant monitoring of all of the layers of your voice network, a secure provider can prevent intruders from unauthorized access, DoS attacks, Toll-Fraud, and other common vulnerabilities. Expertise Great providers are consistently exploring the latest dangers facing the modern VoIP landscape. Great providers work together to deliver exceptional service and renowned security to their customers. They make their customers feel safe, respected and informed. When looking for a VoIP provider, you are seeking a team that is like an extension of your own staff. You are looking for experts that will collaborate with your business to build a secure and profitable future. The cost of choosing a substandard provider is high, as the entirety of your business could be left unsecure. This list should help you to look beyond the price point and settle on a company that is experienced and will benefit your business – not put it in jeopardy. Other Related Topics: Why Phone Security Matters Frequently Asked Questions: Choosing A VoIP Provider Managed Telephony Protecting Your Voice: A Security Checklist for Choosing A Phone Provider (Part 3 of 3)
