Introduction:

There is an avalanche of questions about VoIP security and how reliable it is while dealing with sensitive information of an organization. Our readers find out the interesting concept of VoIP security in this article in detail.

A digital telephone technology called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) allows users to place and receive calls over the Internet as opposed to the conventional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

Numerous terms are used to describe VoIP, including virtual telephony, online phone system, cloud-based phone system, IP telephony, virtual calling tool, and more. All these phrases refer to the same thing as it handles phone communication over the Internet as opposed to a conventional landline phone for voice calls.

• Utilize voice data packets to interact with one another via the Internet.
• Use the PSTN's copper and fiber optic lines to communicate.
• Internet connection necessary for the operation
• Functions with the physical phone connected with ATA, apps installed over laptop, mobile, or desktop.
• Users can make both local and long-distance calls for free. 
• International calls are less expensive 
• Simple to grow and add new features when necessary
• During a power outage, it still works as it works on the internet

How Does VoIP Function?

VoIP converts the voice audio from a phone call into digital data packets, which are then transmitted over the Internet to the destination.

These voice data packets are compressed/disassembled by codecs to travel across the IP network (local area network or a wide area network). These data packets are turned back into words and phrases after being sent to the recipient and being decompressed/reassembled after they have arrived at their destination.

Users of VoIP can place calls using VoIP softphones, VoIP phones, or by utilizing an analog telephone adaptor (ATA) to link their conventional analog phones to a VoIP system.

Is It Safer Than Landlines?

Yes! VoIP phones are typically more secure than landlines when configured properly. Cloud phones communication and store data in a different way from landlines to get a better understanding of the response.

Calls are placed and received using traditional analog phones via the copper- and fiber-optic-wired PSTN network, whereas VoIP uses packet switching to make digital phone calls. It transfers data over the Internet, where voice data is divided into smaller packets and transferred to the other end of the line over the Internet connection that reconnects there and successfully sends voice data.

Eavesdroppers break into the cables and wires to access landline phones, also known as "wiretapping". But in the case of VoIP, preventing this is significantly expensive and difficult. Due to the absence of technology and monitoring tools that VoIP systems have in spades, landline security is highly constrained.

On paper, landlines may appear to be safer, but VoIP systems give a higher level of protection overall. It can readily provide you with the tools the system offers, such as VoIP encryption.

How Does Security Differ from VoIP Encryption?

To prevent hackers from intercepting or deciphering voice data packets while they are in transit, VoIP encryption scrambles the packets into unintelligible jumbles. It makes sure that even if a hacker manages to intercept the call, they won't be able to understand what they find. Let's find out in detail.

• The SRTP IP transport protocol is used to transmit voice data packets from the transmitter to the recipient (Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol.)
• It is a cryptographic protocol that encrypts data packets using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), authenticates messages, and provides additional security against potential replay attacks.
• To safeguard further call information, VoIP operators also employ Transport Layer Security (TLS), also known as SIP over TLS, in addition to SRTP.
• TLS scrambles information, including phone numbers, caller names, usernames, and more additionally, it effectively prevents call and message eavesdropping.

Both large and small businesses can benefit from VoIP phone systems' improved communications, quicker customer service response times, and increased productivity.

How Important VoIP Security Is?

A remote and hybrid workforce has become the "new normal" for businesses. As a result, VoIP security has become more of an afterthought than an initial factor. Unfortunately, many firms did not realize the need for VoIP security until it was too late and also failed to see the catastrophic effects of data breaches and other cybercrimes.

Answer the below queries to find out the importance of VOIP security:

• Are you using the same passwords for your work and personal accounts? 
• Have you pre-saved your credit card details to facilitate a quicker checkout? 
• Your home address and phone number, along with other personal contact details, are already filled in.
• What about those synchronized devices, business reports, taxes, bills, and other things?

By neglecting VoIP security, you're also endangering the confidentiality of the firm’s clients' data and personal information. This will harm your company's finances and consumer trust in your brand.

By taking a proactive approach to VoIP security and recognizing it as a severe issue, read out the solution:

End-To-End Encryption: What is it?

When looking at VoIP security, "end-to-end encryption" has come up frequently.

• Only client-to-server encryption, or C2S, is used in standard TLS encryption. Any hacker who gains access to the C2S server will have full access to all information and communications on your network and can listen in on and record calls, alter files as they are transferred, and view the whole history of messages sent and received by your business.
• End-to-end encryption (E2EE) encrypts user communication directly so that only the sender and recipient of calls and texts will be able to access them. The data packets delivered during a call are encrypted at the receiver end and are only decrypted once they reach the recipient, thus providing the highest level of security to the transactions by not allowing unauthorized users to gain control over the data.

 Apart from the E2EE solution, find out more important steps to secure data:

Install a Robust Password Policy

Although it may seem obvious, a significant portion of data leaks is caused by brute force assaults, in which hackers try to guess your passwords.

Instruct staff to avoid using any personal or public information in work passwords, to change their passwords at least every two weeks, and to avoid using the same passwords across numerous accounts.

Stay away from public WiFi

Since viruses and other malware may spread quickly over an unprotected network, public Wi-Fi is a haven for hackers. Never allow team members to utilize insecure Wi-Fi on company equipment.

Regularly do security audits and updates

The security and quality of VoIP communications are significantly impacted by even the smallest breach in network security. To ensure that nothing is missed and the appropriate preventive measures are taken, security assessments should ideally be carried out by independent and trusted security companies.

Even while many VoIP providers provide routine software updates, make sure that all of your corporate communication tools are up to current. Not only do these upgrades improve the user experience but they also boost functionalities. Additionally, they also offer protection against malware and viruses that might not even be aware exist, as well as crucial security updates.

Important aspects of an impartial security assessment include:

Gateway evaluations - VoIP is transported to PSTN lines by VoIP gateways, so these endpoints, along with all endpoints on your network, need to have security measures in place.

Firewall setup - The firewall must keep off cybercriminals while enabling data packets you send out to pass through uninhibited.

Cyberattack simulations - These are carried out to assist your company in identifying its weaknesses and enhancing intrusion detection.

Security inspection of applications- Every program on a typical company network, which is used for a variety of purposes, should be checked for problems.

Patching methods should be evaluated to see whether any software or hardware has vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

Mobile device security

For offices with remote/mixed staff, frequently on fully secured networks, mobile VoIP apps are appropriate. However, due to insecure wireless connections, they are extremely exposed to fraudsters if the mobile device is utilized over public Wi-Fi for VoIP.

Till now, we have mentioned many steps or measures that need to be taken to provide the highest level of data security to business communications which are successfully provided by our company VITEL GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS,

Vitel Global India is equipped with an expert team for the same, and we are just a call away to reach out. We promise the highest uptime simple system administration and quick addition of new members from anywhere in the world. Additionally, all of your staff can connect easily regardless of the devices they each use. Why not request a demo today?