VoIP Security Considerations
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For a successful VoIP rollout across an organization, several factors should be considered. The following percausions will help eliminate the most common VoIP security threats such as the distributed denial of service (DoS) attack, spams and frauds.
During VoIP configuration/installation, it is important to establish security infrastructure including firewalls, VPNs etc. to be capable of supporting the advanced security requirements for VoIP and be voice optimized at the same time. The VoIP security protocols dynamically allocate ports during call setup, requireing opening and closing of ports at the security gateway on demad. The protocal required the voice traffic inspection at the network and application level to address the challenges of VoIP protocols in Network Address Translation (NAT) environments.
Similar to other services using network, there are critical security vulnerabilities being identified for VoIP.
It is important to have the IP-PBX and IP Phone firmwares always updated and patched for the latest security vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments of your VoIP infrastructure provide identification and remediation of such security flaws to avoid attacks and prevent outages. Your IP-PBX is the heart of your VoIP infrastructure and it must be updated and patched as necessary.
Since the VoIP gateways, servers and phone can be configured remotely, backdoor and front door access is sometimes enabled for ease of configuration. It is recommended to properly secure any remote access and configuration capabilities to individual VoIP devices to eliminate any security breaches. It is important to note that the endpoint credentials and administrator passwords on such devices are a very common avenue for attacks. In general disable any insecure remote access features, such as FTP and Telnet, and disable local administration and management features.
If your VoIP traffic goes over the Internet, use encryption technologies like IPsec tunnels to secure the VoIP traffic. While many of the VoIP protocols include capabilities for encryption and authentication, most of them are optional. It is essential to establish secure tunnels for carrying the VoIP information streams (call signaling, call control and media) between sites.
Wherever possible, leverage VLANs to separate voice and data devices and traffic. This may have limited impact on security, however deploying VoIP devices on separate VLANs isolates data traffic from voice and signaling traffic and permits utilization of Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities.
When creating passwords for accounts, follow secure password guidelines such as making password long, using a combination of numbers and alphabets, not using common names, or same as the account numbers.
SigVoice Telecom Corp., is a provider of Voice over IP (VoIP) equipment to small and medium businesses in Canada and US. It has been serving small and medium businesses since 2005 with its reliable, stable and enterprise-class VoIP Phone Systems. |
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Voice over Internet Protocol, also called VoIP, or Internet telephony is the transportation of voice conversations over the Internet or through any other IP-based network rather than public switched telephone network (PSTN).
Protocols which are used to carry voice signals over the IP network are commonly referred to as Voice over IP or VoIP protocols. Some cost savings are due to utilizing a single network to carry voice and data, especially where users have existing underutilized network capacity they can use for VoIP at no additional cost. VoIP to VoIP phone calls on any provider are typically free, while VoIP to PSTN calls generally costs the VoIP user.
There are two types of PSTN to VoIP services: DID (Direct Inward Dialing) and access numbers. DID will connect the caller directly to the VoIP user while access numbers require the caller to input the extension number of the VoIP user. Access numbers are usually charged as a local call to the caller and free to the VoIP user while DID usually has a monthly fee. There are also DID that are free to the VoIP user but is chargeable to the caller.
Key features of VoIP:
VoIP can facilitate tasks that may be more difficult to achieve using traditional networks
- Routing phone calls over existing data networks to avoid the need for separate voice and data networks
- Incoming phone calls can be automatically routed to your VoIP phone, regardless of where you are connected to the network. Take your VoIP phone with you on a trip, and wherever you connect to the Internet, you can receive incoming calls.
- Free phone numbers for use with VoIP are available in the USA, UK and other countries from several organizations.
- Call center agents using VoIP phones can work from anywhere with a sufficiently fast and stable Internet connection.
- Many VoIP packages include PSTN features that most telcos normally charge extra for, or may be unavailable from your local telco, such as 3-way calling, call forwarding, automatic redial, and caller ID.
- VoIP allows users to travel anywhere in the world and still make and receive phone calls.
Flexibility:
- VoIP services users can make and receive local phone calls regardless of their location. For example, if a user has a US phone number and is traveling in Europe and someone calls the phone number, it will ring in Europe. Conversely, if a call is made from Europe to US, it will be treated as a local call. Of course, there must be a connection to the Internet e.g. WiFi to make all of this possible.
- Users of Instant Messenger based VoIP services can also travel anywhere in the world and make and receive phone calls.
- VoIP phones can integrate with other services available over the Internet, including video conversation, message or data file exchange in parallel with the conversation, audio conferencing, managing address books and passing information about whether others (e.g. friends or colleagues) are available online to interested parties.
Please check our information portal for further VoIP knowledge base. A no-charge consultation service is available to discuss VoIP technology and suitable options for users.
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A new age makeover to an old age communication tool. VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, uses the Broadband internet connection for operating phones. VoIP’s competitive advantage over other phone systems’ lies in its ability to cut costs for the consumers. It is a user friendly system that offers a collaborative space for all types of communication. In the current economic environment, VoIP phone systems act not only as cost-saving tools, but as investments towards a more connected worforce in a globalized economy. Small and medium-sized business are bound to reap the rewards of this trend as knowledge and communication play a leading role in businesses’ overall strategy and technology is collapsing the boundaries that keep these internal systems from becoming more dominant processes.
SigVoice Telecom Corp., is a provider of Voice over IP (VoIP) equipment to small and medium businesses in Canada and US. It has been serving small and medium businesses since 2005 with its reliable, stable and enterprise-class VoIP Phone Systems. |
SigVoice Launches Rapid Response Platinum Edition
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SigVoice Launches Rapid Response (Platinum Edition)
October 19, 2009
Toronto, ON – SigVoice, provider of VoIP equipment to small and medium businesses in Canada and US, today announced the release of its Rapid Response – Platinum Edition. Rapid Response is a complete VoIP phone system that offers cost-benefits, security and reliability to small businesses.
The total cost of the Rapid Response’s system is one-third the cost of similar operating systems offered by large telecommunications firms. At an affordable rate of $300 and with no monthly or yearly license requirements, it offers a unique solution to the small businesses’ communication issue. Rapid Response also provides mobility and communication integration as a single network can be used to carry both voice and data transmissions. This allows integration with services like e-mail, address book management and audio conferencing. Furthermore, users avoid charges on features such as long distance, conference calling, call forwarding and caller ID.
Rapid Response allows up to 5000 phone extensions over a single broadband connection. Its connectivity offers sales and call centre personnel the comfort of working at anyplace, while allowing companies to increase telephone lines with minimal effort and cost. In the current economic environment, VoIP phone systems act not only as cost-saving tools, but as investments towards a more connected workforce in a globalized economy. Accordingly, Rapid Response supports a firm’s existing communication strategy by interoperating with other services.
SigVoice Telecom provides complete technical supports to all its customers and partners. For additional details, please visit http://www.sigvoice.com.
About SigVoice
SigVoice is a provider of communication solutions for small and medium size organizations and enterprises. Its enhanced and intelligent communication solutions are designed to increase the business efficiency and performance of its customers.
SigVoice's solutions are highly scalable, secure, easily managed, and optimized for its customers' communications needs. With its goal to enhance and simplify the way businesses communicate SigVoice Corporation provides feature-rich phone systems at very affordable cost.
Contact SigVoice for free consultation and increase your employee productivity with enhanced business communications.
Phone: 1-416-479-0574 / 1-877-786-4239
Email:
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Quote: http://www.sigvoice.com/quote.html |
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