Why You Need a VoIP for Security

The year 2020 has taught us that businesses using flexible and secure communications tend to survive disruptions better. VoIP is one such telecommunication service that has evolved over two decades and found its greatest appreciation at the age of digital overhaul and rapid growth. 

But facilitating a seamless and secure VoIP service across the workspace is more challenging than you think. In this article, we’ll explore what makes VoIP better than traditional phone calls and how you can secure your digital infrastructure. 

How VoIP differs from phone calls

VoIP stands for voice over internet protocol. It’s fundamentally different from phone calls in its reliance on virtual networks. In VoIP calls, voice data packets are transferred using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). SIP is much more secure than the analog infrastructure of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) that telephones rely on. 

VoIP: A better alternative

Since the calls take place over the internet, it comes with a lot of features. 

Low cost of infrastructure: Setting up and maintaining VoIP is much more cost-effective than phone lines. Companies of all shapes and sizes can just subscribe to a platform of their choice and quickly improve communication metrics.

Much more secure than landlines: Landlines can easily be wiretapped by eavesdroppers and it’s expensive to keep the lines secure. VoIP on the other hand uses packet switching, which is much harder to break into.

Conducive to remote work: VoIP is made for remote workspaces. Thanks to a low barrier of entry, employees can use VoIP connections from any device and any place. A solid internet connection is the only prerequisite.

Highly scalable and feature-rich: VoIP infrastructure can be modified and scaled with time. Companies can add and remove team members depending on seasons, use IVR menus and call recording, and monitor plan usage in real-time. It can also be encrypted for better security. 

Security considerations for VoIP

VoIP, despite being a more secure alternative, does come with a few caveats. Here are the most common security threats:

• Vishing: It’s one of the most common types of cyber security fraud. Scammers use ID spoofing to impersonate authentic agents 
• DDoS attacks: Hackers forcefully overwhelm servers to render your infrastructure unusable for a fixed period of time
• Phreaking: Attackers infiltrate the system to make coordinated long-distance calls that charge your accounts
• SPIT: Spam over IP Telephony is a robocall scam that can compromise an unsuspecting listener
• Malware attack: Attackers inject malware and viruses through software or attachments to cripple the digital network
• VOMIT: With Voice over Misconfigured Internet Telephones tool, scammers can eavesdrop and extract voice packets right from the call

How to keep your VoIP system secure?

VoIP systems can be secured by investing in secure VoIP platforms like Microsoft Teams, using TLS, or SRTP encryptions and private virtual LANs. Frequently changing passwords and training employees on how to handle fraud are also parts of the security measures. However, it can be overwhelming for small businesses to do everything together. IT companies like MyTek have been implementing and securing VoIP systems for years. Get in touch with us to know we can keep your company secure and help it grow.