Home Technology How To Ensure The Security Of VoIP Phones For Small Business

How To Ensure The Security Of VoIP Phones For Small Business

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VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telecoms systems and SIP trunk channels are two of the most useful technologies when it comes to providing telecoms services for small businesses. Home and business phones are both being disrupted by the development of newer VoIP platforms. Lower call costs, higher call quality and advanced call features like automated attendants and hunt groups are just some of the advantages of VoIP for business customers.

However, as both VoIP and SIP run on top of the internet, they both require more engagement with cybersecurity than their analogue counterparts. This extra layer of technical knowledge and business internet security can be off-putting for some and is one of the major reasons some customers are still struggling with the choice of VoIP vs landline for business telecoms.

But when it’s done right, the security of VoIP and SIP trunks doesn’t have to be confusing. We’re going to go over some of the basics today.

Why Is VoIP and SIP Security Important?
A high degree of security is required in every organisation. It doesn’t matter if you work for a large organisation or a small business, it could be devastating to your business’s operations and reputation if your telecoms system was to be hacked.

What Are The Cybersecurity Concerns For VoIP?
The concerns we most often hear about VoIP are as follows:

  • Interception/Privacy
    As analogue voice signals are converted into digital information “packets” and sent across the internet, they could then be intercepted and copied allowing a third-party to listen in on your conversations.
  • VoIP Hijacking/Impersonation
    If a hacker was able to obtain access to your VoIP systems, they could make calls from your account and either impersonate you, or call premium rate numbers secretly so that you end up paying for their call charges.
  • Data Breaches/Ransom
    If there is sensitive data stored on your VoIP platform (such as customer information), this data could be at risk of being leaked or held to ransom. This should be a concern for any user of a VoIP phone system for small business. UK data protection laws are some of the strictest in the world and as such you must take great care with any customer information you hold.

How You Can Secure Your Small Business VoIP Systems
These are steps you can take today that will immediately make any VoIP phone system for small business more secure:

  • Implement Access Controls
    Like most cloud technologies, the main concern for a cloud-hosted VoIP platform should be properly securing access. Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to maximise your access security.
  • Place More Stringent Controls On Your Phone Calls
    By default, you should block expensive or illegitimate numbers. If your company isn’t international, you can, for example, restrict foreign calls. You can also block commonly used high-toll numbers, such as 0844 or 0870 numbers.
  • Audit Your Call Records
    Audit the call logs of your company for any unusual calling trends or behaviours. Investigate your weekly and monthly call volumes using a specialised call analytics dashboard and investigate any unusual activity.
  • Keep Your VoIP Software And Firewalls Up To Date
    Out-of-date operating systems, VoIP software and firewalls are a crucial issue in any type of cyberattack. Ensure that you are regularly checking for security updates and installing them ASAP to stay protected.
  • Remove Team Members Who Have LeftYour Organisation
    Often, cybercriminals do not need to hack into a company at all as there is a healthy black market for old user accounts which are still active. To this end, you should ensure that you remove every one of a team member’s accounts from your system when they leave your organisation. There should be a process in place to ensure that it is done correctly and promptly.
  • Partner With A Managed Telecoms Services Provider
    One sure-fire way to have peace of mind is to let the experts handle things. Contact a business broadband and phone provider, they will be able to audit the security of your existing telecoms, as well as finding new and potentially more cost-effective options for your business phone and broadband. Investigate all the telecoms providers near you, you will often find that smaller, local specialists can get you better deals and provide you with a better service than some of the leading telecom companies in the UK.