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Posted on 04.06.07 by Admin @ 9:37 pm
VoIP security has been called in question recently, though there is little evidence to indicate that VoIP security is any less than conventional telephony systems. VoIP voice data is transmitted via a packet-switched data network using IP. VoIP systems can carry a significant higher number of calls, and very much faster, than traditional PSTN networks due to compression of the voice packets, modern broadband technology and a number of other gateway developments which have reduced the previous packet delivery problems to an extent that the protocol is now a viable mainstream telephony solution to most business needs. VoIP security should therefore be shown to be at least as effective as that of traditional telephone systems. There is actually very little difference between VoIP security and that required for any other type of data transmission system. Look on it the same as you do your email system. The same as your office LAN if you have one. You probably have a system in operation whereby only authorized personnel can use certain aspects of the network. VoIP security can, and do, use the same techniques. However, having said that, let’s have a look at potential weak points in VoIP security that budding hackers may see as good points of attack. IP PBX CALL MANAGEMENT BOXES PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange, and is piece of software running on a server. It’s function is to deal with all the switches and connections involved in the telephone system. These can be attacked by hackers or viruses which could compromise sensitive data. VoIP security systems are designed with this risk in mind. PBX equipment should be placed behind firewalls, locked down and regularly monitored for unwarranted intrusions using intrusion-detection software. It is also possible to put the server in a different domain from the rest of the system, making it much more difficult for intruders to reach. PBX security is a basic aspect of VoIP security systems GATEWAYS AND DATA PACKETS The gateway’s job is to convert voice to data packets, transmit them then receive and convert the packets back into voice. These are a potential VoIP security risk in that thy can be hacked into unless there is an access-control system in place to prevent unauthorized people from accessing the system. VoIP calls should only be permitted to specific people, and most good VoIP security systems allow only authorized user to operate VoIP systems under password control. The data packets themselves can be hacked into using data-sniffing techniques. This can be a serious VoIP security risk and packet sniffers, as they are often called, capture binary data passing through your network and can reroute it to a computer on another network for decoding into a readable form. In order to do this, the ‘sniffers’ has to be on the same network wire as the packet is using to reach its destination. The problem in installing an effective VoIP security system is that there is usually a lot of information passing at any one time, and the hacker has a higher probability of getting useful information than from a conventional telephone system. Encrypting VoIP traffic and routing it through a virtual private network would reduce the VoIP security risk, and most corporate systems have multiple encryption layers for external messages. Internal security could be improved by running internal VoIP messages through this corporate network. Small businesses should seek the advice of their supplier, or of a security expert if they feel that they may be subject to such attacks. However, VoIP security advisors can point small to medium companies in the right direction. Corporate VoIP security is generally not so much problem in that it is normally contracted out to expert advisers. In the final analysis, however, there are no real differences between VoIP security and the normal security concerns associated with any data network service, such as normal office internet and email LANs. The security firewalls and restricted access to use, common on these systems, should suffice to deal with VoIP security Copyright 2006 Peter Nisbet About The Author Filed under: VOIP News Comments: None |
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Posted on 04.06.07 by Admin @ 9:37 pm
I have been in telecom for 12 years and for 12 years I have spoken to my mom at least once a week if not more. She always asks me how is work? Are you still doing that little telephone thing? About six months ago she called me up because she had heard something that may be of interest to me on her talk radio program earlier that morning. She did not want to forget to ask me about it so she wrote it down, (my mom will not call before 5 because she still believes the calling rates go down in half after 5), but she can’t seem to find the paper she just had in her hands- she asked if I could hold a minute. After I hear the rotary phone hit the counter and a bunch papers rustling- she gets back on the phone with her revelation. She is going to spell it for me and she wants to know if I am ready to write it down. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again….expecting a different result. So here I am insane and armed with a pen she starts to spell it for me V-O-I-P. VoIP….. My mom wants to know if I have ever heard of it. I respond with a yes mom that is what I do. She responds with an OK I just wanted to make sure you knew about this new way of calling. They say it is really going to become popular. On that note I shifted the conversation. Time passed and two weeks ago I called my mom and I got the where have you been? Working mom on a product for small businesses that already have an existing phone system and want to use VoIP. I proceeded with explaining how it will save companies a lot of money on their monthly phone bills and in some cases up to 70%. She responds with “Well Lisa, VoIP- now is what you are doing legal? I was stunned and amused so I responded with well mom I guess I will be find out soon enough if it is legal. It is not like I live a life of a criminal, but as far as my parents and their age group 60-80 if it is new and innovative……it is probably illegal or a scam. Senior Citizens are the fastest growing population in America accessing the internet today. They also have the most discretionary income. The VoIP providers are really missing out on this market by not educating seniors about VoIP and the amount of savings they can save a month or annually on the phone service. So as it stands now my mom thinks I am a thug, but the good news is she sent me a clipping from one of her magazines with a little note attached that read Google have you heard of them? About The Author Filed under: VOIP News Comments: None |
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Posted on 03.21.06 by Admin @ 1:59 am
5 Reasons Your Business Should Switch to VoIP Today, many businesses are choosing to unplug and go with VoIP technology. There are many advantages for using VoIP including cost effectiveness, greater productivity, and the incorporation of data, audio, and video all intertwined in one program. Here is an overview of five reasons that your business should make the switch to VoIP. VoIP Reduces Cost Businesses today depend upon telecommunications. Whether it is Internet, E-mail, Customer Service through telephone, online web applications, and E-mail, or whatever your IT business needs may be, VoIP offers to handle all of your needs with one application. Additionally, this reduces cost and increases productivity. VoIP also has combined with software applications that are perfect for many business needs. Software such as accounting programs, Email, and PC based applications help to save money by combining services. The reduction in long distance charges is another great advantage for switching to VoIP for business needs. By combining data, video, and audio needs, companies save on bandwidth usage, which ultimately leads to financial savings. VoIP is perfect for Call Centers VoIP is slowly becoming the standard choice for Call Centers. VoIP offers some major benefits for Call Centers such as flexibility, cost efficiency, and enhanced customer service applications. For instance, in the past, a Call Center needed to be a stabilized facility equipped with many phone lines used by people who would physically be located in the Call Center. By using VoIP for your Call Center, not only is your main location easily relocated as your business expands, but you can hire employees virtually world wide. Larger companies take advantage of VoIP Call Centers by outsourcing work overseas where they can hire employees for less. The Integration of data, audio, and web based features is another reason why businesses are opting for VoIP. Customer service calls are handled more efficiently with the integration of these three components. Not only are calls transferred more proficiently, but also greater care can be given to customers when Call Centers use integrated software platforms. More Call Centers are taking advantage of the opportunity to hire employees world wide through VoIP services. Employees may work in different time zones, giving greater customer service benefits year round, and hiring home based employees is another way businesses are choosing to save money. VoIP is better for Mobile Employees Many companies employ mobile workers. Mobile Employees have typically used cell phones at the company’s expense to stay in touch during the day. By utilizing VoIP Mobile Employees can remain virtually connected with the company, and the company saves money on fees. When mobile employees rely on cell phones, many times a customer will call the main office, only to hear a message or be told the worker’s cell phone number. This requires the customer to hang up and call the employee on their cell phone- increasing the chance that the employee will lose the sale. By using VoIP, a call is instantly routed to the mobile employee and productivity increases. Since VoIP integrates many other technologies, including E-mail, mobile employees are able to conduct many more transactions with one application. VoIP allows Real Time Global Conferencing Global conferencing and training can put a burden on a business. Attempts to reach employees worldwide are not only expensive but time consuming as well. With VoIP technology businesses can avoid conferencing costs, and enable secure audio and videoconferences to offices worldwide. By reducing long distance costs, employees are also taking advantage of calling each other and corporate headquarters more frequently. VoIP offers Flexibility that Ultimately Increases Productivity VoIP allows greater flexibility. By using a standard VoIP Phone Adapter, you are able to take your telephone number with you. This allows greater productivity by allowing employees to conduct business overseas, while traveling, staying in hotels, etc. Your customers will be able to call you on your regular business phone number, and you won’t have to use your cell phone. Many VoIP services are fully integrated with PC applications such as fax and email. There is greater productivity when employees can integrate their email and phone services with one application. Conduct business with VoIP on your laptop, any time day or night. With the option to get VoIP phone numbers with area codes throughout the country, and some world wide, businesses can expand by choosing local area codes for the city, state, or country they are targeting. About the Author Filed under: VOIP News Comments: None |
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