Few of us really use a desktop phone anymore. Instead, we all use software apps and answer our phones in our kitchens, or at the airport.
It gives us freedom, but making VoIP calls like traditional phone calls is a big no-no. Making VoIP calls chop your voice up into little packets of data.
If you transmit them over an unencrypted network, it’s as if you were broadcasting them to the world. With some software they can easily intercept them, and eavesdrop on your private business calls.
Why VoIP Teams Need Better Protection?
Here are some important reasons why VoiP teams need better protection :
Problem with Residential Wi-Fi
Consider the usual security measures at an office. There are corporate firewalls and IT professionals to watch over it. And now think about the Wi-Fi at home. Internet service providers design consumer-grade routers to be fast and easy to configure so you can watch your favourite show. They are not built with security in mind. This is a big problem for companies, particularly employees working from a Starbucks or hotel.
To address this, businesses typically use a business VPN as it establishes an encrypted connection between an employee’s laptop and the corporate server. Since the network traffic is encrypted, the data remains secure regardless of location. It’s a simple way to extend the security of the office into your home and prevent hackers getting through your low-cost home router.
Blocking Unwanted Listeners
In most cases, hackers don’t have you in their sights. They simply use tools to steal any unencrypted data they can get their hands on. If it’s not protected, they can easily put the voice packets back together. Now they’re eavesdropping on your weekly work meeting or top-secret strategy session.
The way to prevent this is to strengthen your network security. Effective security software uses a scrambler to encode all voice data into a random stream of rubbish before they leave your PC. This means that even if someone does manage to tap into the call, it’s unreadable without the key to decode it. It allows remote teams to communicate with confidence knowing no-one can listen in on their conversations.
Keeping Client Details Private
You’re trusted by clients to keep their data confidential. If a call about a forthcoming merger, or a legal matter, was leaked it could be devastating. It takes years, and a lot of money, to recover from that.
Encrypting your voice calls demonstrates your commitment to privacy. It’s like a silent security guard, ensuring what you talk about on the phone stays within the organisation and in the grasp of opportunistic hackers.
Passing Compliance Audits
If you are in the right business, you most likely have a lot of data governance guidelines. Healthcare firms pay fines for breaches of patient privacy; global businesses deal with intricate European data protection rules. Using a non-encrypted channel to take a confidential call is a sure way to flunk your compliance test.
They don’t want to hear it was a mistake; they don’t accept ignorance. Encrypted calls make it easier to meet the compliance requirements. It demonstrates to regulators you are doing something to secure customers’ data.
Choosing the Right VoIP Provider
Security isn’t always the top priority for VoIP services. Some providers prioritise affordability and simplicity over security features that are not fundamental to encryption standards. So when shopping for a VoIP provider, ensure they support SRTP (Secure Real-time Transport Protocol) to encrypt the actual voice information and TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt the information that controls the call. If either is missing, your voice communications can still be intercepted even though some aspects of the connection may appear secure.
Some smaller or cost-conscious vendors may skimp here because secure encryption increases processing load and needs to be maintained. Inquire about encryption levels before committing to a vendor. If they can’t or won’t tell you, be wary. A legitimate vendor will provide information on how they store your data, where their data centers are, and if they track call data. An hour or two spent investigating a provider could prevent costly problems in the future.
Human Side of Security
A simple mistake can render even the best security useless. The weakest link in most security systems is usually the human factor, not because of carelessness, but because of a lack of education. An employee that makes an unencrypted call to a client from an unsecured Wi-Fi network at the airport can do as much damage as a computer hacker. Location and convenience always win out over security, unless the users understand why the rules are in place.
Practical security training is important. It doesn’t have to be a long compliance session. A quick education on why open networks are bad, how to recognise unusual activity, and when to use encrypted communication channels is often sufficient. Developing these easy-to-understand practices, such as always connecting to the secure tunnel before using the phone for work, is easy to pick up with a little direction.
Technology is only as secure as its users. Coupled with a workforce that understands the importance of network security, strong network protections make remote operations all the more secure than either could be alone.
It’s not worth the risk of leaving internet calls unencrypted. By improving your network security you keep your private calls private, and allow people to do their jobs securely from whatever location they choose.
