Six ways to secure your VoIP communications

Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology has been around for a while and it has revolutionised telecommunications, especially for large enterprises and call centres. It is a highly flexible and cost-effective communications solution for businesses of all sizes.

However, like other internet-based technologies, VoIP is susceptible to cyber threats and security vulnerabilities that can compromise communications and sensitive information. In late 2022, a group of researchers began investigating a rise in attacks on VoIP providers through distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.

The total number of DDoS attacks on South African businesses in 2022 is estimated to be around 6.4 million. Although the percentage of these attacks on VoIP systems is small (less than 2%), the threat still exists. Companies that utilise VoIP communications should take the following steps to secure their systems.

Securing VoIP communications in six steps

The following steps are recommended to safeguard VoIP systems from cyber threats. Check with your VoIP communications provider if they have these features in place.

1. Encryption - This is an essential component of communications security. It involves scrambling the voice data during transmission to prevent hackers from listening in on sensitive conversations and to prevent unauthorised interception of comms by third parties. Choose VoIP services that offer secure real-time transport protocol (SRTP) and transport layer security (TLS).
2. Firewalls - A firewall is a basic security system that monitors and controls network traffic based on predetermined security rules. A firewall can help to protect VoIP comms from unauthorised access, DDoS attacks and other malware. Firewalls can either be hardware installed on-site or software installed on the network.
3. Access controls - These are measures that restrict access to your VoIP system, allowing only authorised employees to access the network. They can include password controls, multi-factor authentication (MFA) and other security systems. By limiting the number of employees who have access to sensitive information, companies can improve their cyber security stance.
4. Updates and patches - Like many internet-based technologies, VoIP requires regular updates and patches to fix security vulnerabilities and glitches. Always keep your VoIP system up-to-date with the latest software and security features. Some VoIP providers will offer automatic updates, but companies can also run these themselves.
5. VoIP provider security - When choosing a VoIP provider, look at their security features and protocols on offer. A good provider will use trusted and secure data centres, encryption protocols and access controls. Also, ensure that your provider is compliant with industry standards and best practices.
6. Employee training - Employees play a significant role in cyber security. Regular user awareness training (UAT) will ensure that they are all familiar with best practices for cyber security, including password management, recognising potential cyber threats and taking the necessary steps to secure their communications. Employees must know how to react to potential security breaches.

Cyber security is a vital part of modern business, even for VoIP communications. Implementing these six foundational security features will ensure that your comms are safe and that no sensitive information can be leaked through your telephony systems.

SEACOM offers cloud-based VoIP communications that can improve your company’s communications by offering a secure, flexible telephony platform. We configure and deploy these services for enterprises in South Africa. For more information about these services or to get a quote, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.

SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.

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