8:02 AM
Kira Permunian
There are those who will try and tell you that VOIP-based telephone systems are more vulnerable to attack. Who has been listing in on your standard phone calls all your life? With top of the line dedicated servers, and other simple solutions, you can protect yourself. If you are still worried, you might want to leave the country.
If the CIA and Sony’s Playstation networks can be hacked, then it is pretty obvious our VOIP (Voice/Video Over Internet Protocol) business phone systems are at risk. Business is using VOIP communications like never before. There are those that will tell you using a VOIP phone system will mean we are at more risk than ever, but is this really the case? Our normal phone lines have been listened in, and on, by governments, police and other organisations for a long time. There is little we can do about protecting them. At least with VOIP communications, we have a chance at protecting ourselves, and we can make those changes and decisions ourselves. If you have a business phone system, you should make sure your vendor is keeping you up-to-date with the latest in security improvements. I, for one, would much prefer to use a VOIP communication tool (on a dedicated server) compared with a standard phone call. Here is a look at some security features you should understand with your applications running from dedicated server hosting.
Encryption. Encryption should be standard with your application and set-up on digital phone systems. Even Skype uses encryption. It is hard enough to listen in on a Skype call, let alone other more sophisticated encryption tools. Ask your vendor about your encryption level, and always ask for more. They might be supplying you with standard levels of encryption, but extremely high levels are available.
VPN, TLS, SIP. Standard security encryption methods like a VPN (Virtual Private Network), TLS (Transport Layer Security), and SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), all need to be a part of your system. Essentially, they hide your location, secure the data transit of your calls, and assist with the cloaked (or quiet) establishment of your VOIP call.
Dedicated Managed Server. To be really safe, you need your calls to be going through your own dedicated servers. If you have a VOIP provider, you will probably be using theirs, and they should know what they doing. Find out all information about where your server is, how it is built, and obtain full hardware descriptions. You should ask for verification, and you need proof. If you have just installed software on your computer, you could be using one or many servers to transmit your calls. The technology levels of these protocols is increasing all the time, and staying up to date is important.
Password Management. Passwords are one of the most common problems with VOIP systems, as they are with all accounts, and other online services. You must change your password monthly. It should not be easily quested. Someone near you could be accessing your system without you even knowing.
Firewall. The firewall is like, well a firewall. It stops a fire from entering your place of business. Even when you are using your computer at home, you should always have it on. The firewall attempts to stop anyone using your computer at a distance without your approval. There are specialised resources on the internet to help you understand. If it is not on, then you are wide open for attack.
Disabling. If you are not using some services (features) of your VOIP system, make sure you turn them off. Running features are some of the best ways for unwanted entry to your VOIP system. Talk to your provider, and see what they have to say.
Wifi. Wifi means you are more open to attack, more than before. Wifi systems need to be secured with a password, and it is better to use secure encryption, for the transmission of that password when you log on, and securing the data floating through the air.
The list of security options continues. And continues to get better all the time. Keep your standard phone line and your VOIP lines separate, and make sure you are up to day with the latest in VOIP encryption. If you don’t understand all the types of security needed, then you have a problem with your vendor, because they should have told you in the first place. If you have what is available on the market, there is no way anyone can listen in on what you are talking about.
If you are small target, it is only someone who is surfing ports (and just happens to bump into you) that can sneak through your protection. Unless you are a drug dealer, or a spy in another country, you do not have much to worry about.
Tom Mallet is an Australian freelance writer and journalist. He writes extensively in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the US. He’s published more than 500 articles about various topics, including business phone systems and phone systems.
If you are small target, it is only someone who is surfing ports (and just happens to bump into you) that can sneak through your protection. Unless you are a drug dealer, or a spy in another country, you do not have much to worry about.
Tom Mallet is an Australian freelance writer and journalist. He writes extensively in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the US. He’s published more than 500 articles about various topics, including business phone systems and phone systems.
Stealing is for suckers. You can’t have this. © Copyright November 2011 | | Telephone Systems | Business Phone Systems | Secure Phone Systems | Secure Computers | Protecting Business Computers |
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