Are VoIP Phones Secure?
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Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones have become the new norm for businesses of all sizes — and for good reason. They’re affordable and flexible. VoIP’s market value will grow substantially as a result. Some estimate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% from 2024 to 2028, reaching a value of $236 billion.
But are VoIP phones secure? Once you understand this modern technology — starting with its inner workings — you can devise proper mitigation tactics.
How Does VoIP Work?
VoIP allows users to make voice calls using the internet. Here’s a quick rundown of how VoIPs work:
- Conversion: When users speak into a VoIP-enabled device, the device’s microphone and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) transform the user’s voice into digital data.
- Compression: The device uses a codec (coder-decoder) to reduce the size of the digital voice data.
- Packetization: This digital data is broken down into small packets, each containing a piece of the conversation.
- Transmission: These packets travel over the internet to the recipient. Think of the internet as a postal service that delivers packets from the sender’s device to the recipient’s device, regardless of what kind of device they have. VoIP can call any landline, not just other VoIP devices.
- Reassembly: At the recipient’s end, the packets are reassembled in the correct order.
- Decompression: If necessary, the digital voice data is decompressed.
- Conversion: The digital data is then converted back into sound waves through the device’s digital-to-analog converter (DAC). This process is the reverse of what happened earlier.
- Playback: The recipient’s analog signal sends the voice data to the speaker, allowing the recipient to hear the sender’s voice.
A VoIP-enabled device can be any device that can connect to the internet, from smartphones to computers. VoIP also goes beyond voice calls — it integrates additional features like video calls, text messages and multimedia sharing.
If we compare VoIP to landlines, VoIP offers more benefits. VoIP is scalable, affordable and secure. Instead of requiring dedicated copper wires for voice communication, VoIP requires an internet connection.
Why VoIP Security Matters
Businesses must always prioritize security, physically and digitally. Security breaches can disrupt their operations, regardless of their size. Business owners considering VoIP systems must understand that securing this technology is of equal importance.
VoIP security measures help protect businesses against potential threats. VoIP cyber attacks can range from interception of calls to theft of sensitive information. Eavesdropping on VoIP calls, for instance, can expose confidential business strategies or customer information, leading to financial and reputational damage.
However, proactive steps can mitigate these risks. A secure VoIP phone system ensures the availability, integrity and confidentiality of communications. It also safeguards communications and supports regulatory requirements like the GDPR and HIPAA. VoIP can help build trust with clients and partners, preserving business integrity and continuity.
The truth is that there will always be a neck-and-neck race between cyber security and cyber attackers. For instance, data breaches cost the U.S. over $9.48 million in 2023 — growing over the years. But luckily, the cyber security market will increase from $97 billion to $271 billion between 2024 and 2029. VoIP — and other digital means of conducting business — will constantly evolve to become more secure.
VoIP Security Best Practices
Properly protecting the server with these best practices will make using VoIP devices simple and easy for your workers. Implement the following to lay a strong foundation in VoIP security.
1. Enforce Strong Password Policies
Implementing strong password policies protects VoIP accounts from unauthorized access. Ensure that users have complex passwords that mix letters, numbers and symbols. It shouldn’t stop there. Regularly change passwords and ensure the same password isn’t used across multiple accounts. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring additional verification beyond passwords.
2. Apply VoIP Encryption
Encrypting VoIP communications scrambles voice data during transmission, making it unreadable to unauthorized interceptors. Use protocols like secure real-time transport protocol (SRTP) for encrypting voice packets, safeguarding against eavesdropping and tampering.
3. Implement Firewalls and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
Firewalls control incoming and outgoing network traffic, helping to prevent unauthorized access to VoIP networks. Businesses can configure firewalls to allow only essential VoIP traffic and block potential threats. IPSs monitor network traffic for malicious activity and block or mitigate identified threats in real time.
4. Update Systems Regularly
Regular updates and patches to VoIP software, hardware and operating systems (OSs) address vulnerabilities and fix security flaws. Apply updates to protect against emerging threats and ensure the stability of VoIP systems.
5. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
If you allow people to make calls through your system when they are not inside your firewall, consider adding a VPN. VPNs create a secure encrypted tunnel for VoIP traffic over the internet, protecting data from interception and ensuring privacy. This is particularly important for remote workers accessing VoIP systems over public Wi-Fi or other unsecured networks.
6. Monitor Call Logs
Detect unusual patterns or suspicious activities, such as unauthorized calls or unusual call volumes. Analyzing call logs can also help identify potential security incidents or operational inefficiencies.
7. Disable International Calling
If needed, disable international calls from coming through. Restricting access can help prevent unauthorized use of VoIP services and reduce the risk of toll fraud. Limiting calling privileges based on user roles or geographic locations further boosts security and control costs.
8. Deactivate Inactive Accounts
Immediately deactivate inactive VoIP accounts, which will occur when an employee leaves. Doing so will help reduce the attack surface.
9. Educate Teams
Employees are a business’s first line of defense. Provide ongoing security awareness training to employees on VoIP security risks, best practices and procedures. Educated users are more likely to recognize threats, use secure communication practices and adhere to security policies.
FAQs
Please refer to the following frequently asked questions for further insight at a glance.
Are VoIP Calls Secure?
Yes. VoIP calls can be secure if proper security measures safeguard VoIP communications. Such measures can include VoIP encryption, strong authentication, monitoring and education.
How Does Encryption Protect My VoIP Calls?
Encryption scrambles voice data into a format only authorized parties can read. Secure protocols like SRTP encrypt voice packets during transmission, safeguarding against eavesdropping and tampering.
Can VoIP Phone Systems Be Integrated With My Existing Security Infrastructure?
Yes. VoIP phone systems can integrate with existing security infrastructures, such as firewalls, VPNs and intrusion detection systems. They can work holistically to protect VoIP services from external threats.
How Can I Ensure My Remote Employees Use VoIP Securely?
For secure remote use of VoIP, ensure that employees:
- Use company-approved devices with up-to-date security software.
- Connect through a VPN as needed to secure their internet connection.
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive communications.
Why Trust Us
At Kirbtech, we have an authentic desire to help small-to-medium sized businesses with the best managed IT services — including phone systems. With over 15 years of experience in Central Pennsylvania, we’ve built our reputation on trust, expertise and a genuine commitment to our clients’ success.
Our team ensures that your communication systems reap all the benefits of being stable, scalable and secure. We prioritize your needs with personalized support and competitive pricing.
Trust Kirbtech to deliver reliable, efficient and customized technology solutions, backed by a heartfelt desire to help your business thrive.
