How to keep your VoIP systems safe

Posted on Friday November 18, 2022

While investing in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems is known to help businesses reduce their telecommunication costs, failing to secure these can nullify the financial advantages gained and even lead to some serious consequences. If VoIP systems are left vulnerable, hackers can eavesdrop on your conversations and steal sensitive information. It's therefore crucial to take the necessary measures to protect your VoIP systems. Here are 6 solutions to help you do just that.

Virtual private network (VPN)

A VPN encrypts all the data passing through it, including voice and video calls. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to eavesdrop on conversations or steal sensitive information. VPNs are particularly useful when people are calling over public Wi-Fi networks, as they make it much more difficult for someone to intercept the data being transmitted.

VoIP firewalls

VoIP-specific firewalls can filter malicious network traffic based on known IP addresses, port numbers, and data packets. If a hacker is trying to access your VoIP system, a well-configured firewall will be able to block their attempts. This is especially important for stopping denial-of-service attacks, a common cyberthreat that involves flooding a system with so much traffic that it crashes. Firewalls can also be used to limit which devices are able to connect to your VoIP system, further increasing security.

Intrusion prevention systems (IPS)

An IPS complements firewalls by identifying and stopping malicious traffic that's already gotten through. While firewalls block known threats, intrusion prevention systems are designed to closely inspect traffic for suspicious behavior like unusually high bandwidth usage or attempts to download massive volumes of data. If an IPS detects something suspicious, it can block the traffic and alert you so you can take further action.

Call behavior monitoring

Call behavior monitoring is a process of monitoring and analyzing the way users make and receive calls to identify any unusual or suspicious activity. For instance, if there are sudden spikes in the number of calls being made to a particular number or if calls are being made outside of normal office hours, this could indicate a security breach. Call behavior monitoring uses automated tools to help identify these patterns and can be a useful way to keep an eye on activity without having to constantly monitor calls manually.

Multifactor authentication (MFA)

VoIP accounts are often protected with just a username and password, which isn't enough to deter the most determined hackers. Even if users set strong passwords, these can still be stolen using brute force attacks or social engineering.

MFA can make it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to VoIP accounts. With MFA in place, users have to provide additional verification, such as a one-time code from a mobile app, in order to log in. This means that even if hackers manage to steal a password, they won't be able to access the account without the additional authentication factor.

Physical security

It's important to properly secure VoIP phone systems and networks tied to physical devices. Network routers and switches, in particular, need to be kept in a secure location under lock and key. They should also be password-protected and regularly updated with the latest security patches. The same applies to any device used for VoIP, such as IP phones, smartphones, and laptops. These devices should be treated with the utmost care, especially if users are carrying them around outside the office.

Protecting your VoIP system requires a comprehensive and multilayered approach. If you need any help securing your system, our team of VoIP experts can provide expert advice. We can also carry out a full security audit to identify any vulnerabilities and recommend the best course of action to address them. Call us today.