VoIP is an amazing tool for fast, cost-effective, and convenient telecommunications. Much has been made of VoIP cybersecurity in the news.
As with all internet protocol, it can be vulnerable to attack, but it doesn’t have to be.
In this article, we will look at what the security risks are from VoIP and how it can be made more secure.
As a VoIP reseller, it is likely you will be asked about VoIP cybersecurity at some point from your customers, so having a thorough answer full of guidance can help you win and retain happy customers.
Read on to find out more about answering the VoIP cybersecurity questions.
Is VoIP Secure?
VoIP works by transferring data across the internet. It is a phone call made digitally instead of over traditional telephone lines.
Because it is on the internet, it can be hacked if it is unsecured. Calls can be intercepted and in some cases, it can be used as an access portal into servers.
The good news is VoIP can be secured using some basic cybersecurity methods and good practice.
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What Are The Cybersecurity Risks With VoIP?
Because data is being transferred over the internet, the data can be intercepted and listened to. This is particularly dangerous if you are taking or making credit card payments over the phone or discussing sensitive information.
Using VoIP internally is as secure as traditional phone lines, as long as the internal IT infrastructure is secure. The calls are being made within an internal system so external hackers cannot easily intercept the data.
However, when calls are made outside the internal infrastructure, they are vulnerable.
A SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) opens and closes a VoIP telephone call. In very simple terms, it is essentially a portal from the phone into the internet.
One of several other protocols then transmits the call data over the internet and the SIP closes the portal at the end. PCMag has a good article here explaining SIPs in more detail.
Because SIPS were not designed to be secure they can be hacked, allowing access out to the call, or into the IT infrastructure.
This can mean either the phone call be listened to or more aggressive attacks can be committed against an IT network. This might be address spoofing leading to a DDOS (Distributed Denial Of Service) attack.
DDOS attacks can devastate a business, so it is essential that steps are taken to secure VoIP.
If you are reselling VoIP into a business, take care to give them thorough advice on securing their systems so their VoIP is not vulnerable.
How Can We Make VoIP Secure?
VoIP cybersecurity can be achieved by following some simple steps. This list is not exhaustive.
1) Encrypt Everything
Encryption can be one of the most effective ways to ensure the information being transferred across the internet cannot be understood if it is intercepted.
This is highly advantageous if your clients are having conversations that are sensitive or would cause damage reputation if the details are leaked.
Make sure there is encryption on the VoIP and SMB servicer and encrypt the data at several points to make it harder for hackers.
VIPVoIP’s hosted VoIP solution manages all the encryption for you.
2) Lockdown your passwords
A strong password is the cornerstone of cybersecurity.
Make sure the routers, servers, IP switches, and firewalls have strong passwords. Follow the standard password security protocol:
- A combination of letters (upper case and lower case), numbers, and symbols
- A different password for each device or platform
- Over 12 characters
- Isn’t a dictionary word
- Not obvious substitutions (for example, a zero for an o)
3) Thoroughly test the network
Invest in regular penetration testing.
Penetration, or Pen, testing is where systems are deliberately hacked by an IT professional to see how vulnerable they are. Once the weaknesses are known, they can be secured.
4) Use a VPN
A VPN is a great way of securing data transmitting over the internet. A VPN essentially acts like an internal network by creating a private network over which data can be sent.
Setting up VoIP over a VPN secures the SIP by making the portal it is opening private and secure. They are virtually untraceable.
5) Enable a Network Address Translation (NAT)
NAT is a feature on routers that provides a private IP address for phones, computers, and other internet devices.
The private IP address can only be seen on your LAN (Local Area Network). If an IP address cannot be identified by a hacker, the network cannot be remotely manipulated.
A VoIP phone that has a public IP address is open to being hacked.
Ready To Sell Cybersecure VoIP?
The reseller proposition from VIP VoIP is a secure and safe VoIP service that you sell into other companies.
It provides an additional income to your existing telecoms or IT services without any hassle.
We provide all the hardware and software, so you just have to concentrate on selling and building your client relationships.
If you would like to find out more about that or VoIP cybersecurity, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
You can ring us on 03300881182, email sales@vipvoip.co.uk or contact us here.