Protecting Your Voice: A Security Checklist for Choosing A Phone Provider (Part 3 of 3)

Over the course of this three part series, we have examined the advantages and vulnerabilities of digital telephony. We have also looked at the ways that a VoIP provider can either strengthen or hinder a phone system’s fortification. We have provided comprehensive checklists for assessing your risk factors along with your current provider’s aptitude for fixing problems and offering solutions.

If you have been using our checklists to evaluate your system and are having doubts about your current structure, this article will help you make a positive change! It could be that your current VoIP system could use an upgrade. Or maybe you need to make a fresh start with a new provider. You need the right tools to choose the most secure option and you will find them below!

Don’t Settle for Second-rate Service, Or You May End Up Like This Company:

A New York Times article recently detailed stories of businesses that were left picking up the massive tab for fraudsters who siphoned their phone service. One story involves a seven-person architectural firm that managed to rack up a massive $166,000 phone bill over a single weekend. This occurred after hackers commandeered the firm’s network and made a number of calls to Somalia.

Incidents such as this are by no means rare and VoIP phones are not infallible. Attackers can gain access through a phone’s firmware, just like a computer. This can be done remotely without any need for physical contact. Once accessed, the hacker can hear every conversation that the phone hears.

Rudimentary customer data is boring to these malicious parties. They may want financial details or valuable information they can use for extortion. They may bypass those specifics and simply activate a speech-to-text engine. Imagine confidential exchanges being sent, in real-time, to a Twitter feed!

What sounds like the possible plot of a sci-fi thriller is a genuine consequence for any company that has inferior security safeguards. Sometimes hackers can gain access to your business phone by performing a few quick Internet searches! This is why it is so crucial to have trusted experts in charge of your risk mitigation strategy.

Security Checklist to Ask a Prospective Phone Provider:

Do they offer a Cloud Based Solution?

Keeping information in the ‘Cloud’ may sound alarming to those unfamiliar with this technology. However, Cloud platforms hold benefits for enterprises both large and small. You don’t have to be tech-savvy to adopt a Cloud-based solution. A good provider will handle all back-end operations with your safety in mind.

Do they monitor the network traffic?

Network monitoring is a necessary tool for catching weak spots and redundant traffic patterns. It is a great starting base for detecting irregularities. A provider should be capable of monitoring your network traffic.

Will they update their system and your phones regularly?

All good Cloud-based providers make system updates a priority. They should also remotely provision phones and ensure that all firmware is current. This will patch security holes while increasing your phone’s performance and reliability.

Do they provide Secure SIP, SRTP , and IP Authentication to encrypt your calls?

High-grade encryption should come standard with your provider. Having this security layer in place will certify that your voice data is safe at all times.

Do they offer infrastructure redundancy?

High-availability is key for all modern industries. Customers are impatience during service interruptions, and so are employees! More uptime and an excellent backup strategy will keep revenue flowing even in the event of an outage.

Where do they backup your data?

Is the team responsible for the safety of your data storing it in accordance with privacy laws? As mentioned in the second installment of this series, some data must be stored within Canadian borders by a Canadian-owned and operated company. A provider who does not meet this criteria could end up putting you in harms way.

Do they offer Fax over IP (FoIP)?

Can they provide an alternative to a legacy fax machine? Fax over Internet Protocol (FoIP) is a fast, functional and trouble-free solution to traditional fax that keeps your information safe from intruders.

Will they protect you from A – Z?

When interviewing a potential provider, it is important to ensure that they are educated on the latest threats plaguing VoIP systems. Their team should be capable and confident. They should continually implement best practices with your safety in mind.

Through this series we have worked to best equip you as a business owner, decision maker, security officer or IT staff member with tools to evaluate both your phone network and your current or future provider. Our goal is to assist you in making the soundest decisions when it comes to one of your most valuable assets – your voice data.

Premium security doesn’t always have to cost a fortune. There are many options, such as Telecom Metric’s Secure Cloud Hosted PBX solutions, that are backed by industry leading security experts. Options like this can provide you with all the major benefits to help keep you safe. Best of all, these benefits are available at an affordable price.

The ball is in your court when it comes to protecting your organization from the world of cumbrous cyber threats. Core decisions, including choosing to seek help and connecting with the right help, can have an important impact on the future of your business. Security is not a game of ‘wait and see’. Acting now can save you a lot of money and stress in the long run. You have the tools – now it is time to take charge!

Other Related Topics:

• Why Phone Security Matters
• VoIP is Data! When Your Data Must Stay In Canada
• Protecting Your Voice: A Security Checklist for Your Current Phone Provider (Part 2 of 3)
• Protecting Your Voice: Questions to Ask About Your Phone Security (Part 1 of 3)