VoIP Security: How to Protect Your Business VoIP System

By
Raxxos Media Team
December 14, 2019

New technology comes with the need for new security systems. VoIP is no different.

VoIP is a trusted telecommunication technology that is taking hold of the business world. It has a slew of perks that set it apart from its more traditional counterpart, the landline.

With the added benefits comes a challenge: protecting the often easy-to-access network from security breaches.

How can you improve your business’s VoIP security? Read on for 10 steps to keeping your phone system protected.

What is VoIP?

VoIP—which is the common shorthand for “Voice Over Internet Protocol”—is a modern alternative to traditional telecommunication technology. Instead of using a landline, telephones are connected to the same wireless connection as your internet.

This newer way to use phones is favored for a few reasons. It cuts costs, eliminates bulky hardware and tangles of cords and it makes transferring extensions to smartphones a possibility. It even allows you to use your business’s phone system from anywhere in the world.

All of this convenience presents a bit of an issue: your VoIP system that is so easily accessed by your team may be easily compromised by those on the outside. Implementing VoIP security practices is definitely the way to go to ensure your sensitive information’s safety.

10 Ways to Protect Your VoIP System

VoIP security is a major concern for many businesses that have switched to this modern telecommunication system. Many businesses receive very personal information from their clients over the phone.

Whether the client is sharing their social security number or their home address, it is important to make sure none of the information is accessible to the wrong person.

Use these 10 techniques to up your VoIP security and to keep your sensitive information safe.

Need a secure VoIP system? We’ve got you covered.

1. Use Strong Passwords

This one may seem like a no brainer, but there is a surprising amount of people who still use “1234” or “password” as their passwords, so it’s definitely worth mentioning.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to securing your VoIP system is choosing a generic password. Don’t use the same password for all of your systems, especially if they house sensitive information.

Also, avoid using your business’s name in the password. Use something with upper and lowercase. Mix in numbers and special characters to be safe.

Many cybersecurity specialists suggest changing passwords every one to three months.

2. Encrypt Your Systems

One feature that many VoIP systems lack is state-of-the-art encryption, so you’ll likely have to take care of this after your system has been installed.

Encrypting your system helps to ensure nobody on the outside can eavesdrop on your conversation.

3. Up the Internal Security

As trustworthy as your team might be, you may run into the issue of a leak. Information leaks are not always on purpose, so preparing your employees to avoid mistakes is a must.

There are a few important measures you should take when improving your internal security:

  • Enforce system security protocols with all employees
  • Prohibit call forwarding
  • Keep user passwords strong and update them regularly
  • Review call logs regularly
  • Keep login credentials secure

Make sure your employees understand that you’re not targeting them out of a place of distrust but as part of a standard VoIP security protocol.

4. Use a VPN Connection

Virtual Private Networks—or VPN for short—are exactly what they sound like: virtual private networks that are extended across public networks.

This means that you need to log into a network within your network, which creates another layer of security.

5. Manage Access Lists

When you place a call with a VoIP system, sensitive information is automatically collected from both lines. One piece of information that is recorded is the customer’s IP address.

It is your duty to keep this information out of the wrong hands, so tightening the restraints on who can view your access lists is a must. Access lists do not need to be shared with the entire company. Keep them available to a limited number of trustworthy people.

Need help recovering from an IT disaster? Explore our disaster recovery services.

6. Invest in a Good Firewall

You have invested in VoIP in order to modernize your office’s telephone system. Since it is such a critical component of your business, where downtime can affect your reputation, you must protect it from attackers.

A good firewall is never a bad investment. The firewall that is built into your ISP’s (internet service provider) modem does not offer the power or customization your business needs. It will not protect you sufficiently and might negatively affect performance.

With a good firewall, your VoIP system will stay protected while running smoothly.

7. Take Advantage of Call Behavior Monitoring Services

Monitoring your office’s call activity can help to avoid any sort of scam or hacking. However, it’s virtually impossible to stay on top of all of your employees’ calls.

Lucky for you, there is a special type of software called call monitoring algorithms. These systems keep eyes on your business’s call activity.

You’ll be notified if there is anything that seems concerning, such as an excessive amount of incoming calls from a specific number or unusual activity on one of your lines.

8. Set in Place Intrusion Prevention Systems

An intrusion prevention system (IPS) is the line of defense that is right behind a firewall. It monitors your VoIP system’s activity and puts caller information on lockdown.

An IPS is constantly on the lookout for threats. It is an added layer of security that you need to keep all of your information safe.

9. Create Geo Limits

Setting up geo limits for your VoIP system is a great way to decrease the risk of infiltration. When you implement geo limits, you prohibit the use of the VoIP system outside of the designated geographic confines.

It is important to eliminate the opportunity for remote hackers to get into your system. If you contain your geo limits to your office space, this helps to ward off users that do not work in said space.

10. Hire a Specialist

If you’ve gone through these techniques but are still worried about your system’s security, you should definitely seek guidance from a specialist.

Raxxos has a team of VoIP system experts who can help you set up your VoIP systems and make sure that your security is top of the line.

It never hurts to get a professional’s opinion, especially when it comes to securing sensitive information. You’ll be glad you called for back up.

Implement These VoIP Security Practices Today

Some of these VoIP security practices are easier to implement as others, but they are all very important.

Have a talk with your team so that everybody is on the same page when it comes to internal security protocols and invest in outsourcing the more technical security measures.

It is better to plan ahead to protect your data than to deal with the unfortunate aftermath of an unfortunate hack. Make your VoIP security a priority today.

Need assistance with your VoIP system? Let Raxxos help you!

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