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VoIP systems present a set of security challenges that are completely different from those of the past. The internet makes communication and information exchange easier, but harder to control. The threats presented by hackers and other malicious actors are very real. However, by making wise decisions and following best practices, any business can protect its VoIP network from malicious third-party attacks.
Unfortunately, many businesses don’t consider the possibility of a hack until it has already happened and the associated costs are enormous. Following this checklist could help businesses protect and proactively defend some of the vulnerabilities that are inherent to the system, as well as prevent some common socially engineered hacks.
Why are VoIP Systems Vulnerable?
The technology that supports VoIP calling is built on the infrastructure of the internet, which has its structural vulnerabilities.
Information on the internet is typically transferred from a server to a computer and back asynchronously in “packets” that are then reassembled according to directions so that the integrity of the information is preserved, even though it was shattered into pieces and then glued back together in a new location like a broken teapot.
The internet is built on these packet exchanges that can be intercepted and eavesdropped on. The internet protocols that enable the free and easy exchange of data also make it possible for hackers and other malicious actors to manipulate these exchanges.
A Checklist for VoIP Security
Practice Network Protocol Minimalism
A network that is overcrowded with protocols is especially vulnerable because every protocol is a possible point of attack. Unnecessary or unused protocols are less monitored and can be especially vulnerable.
Choosing protocols that serve business needs and eliminating everything else reduces the digital clutter that hackers can use as opportunities to launch attacks.
Compartmentalize the VoIP Network
There is no reason not to protect the VoIP network by keeping it physically and logistically separate from other IP infrastructure.
Check Older Hardware and Software
It’s easy to forget that new software is often running on older hardware and vice versa. A full audit of systems that have been grandfathered in and their security weaknesses can be sobering. Sometimes hackers don’t need to sneak into networks when there are technical trap doors in outdated systems that are now integrated into VoIP networks.
Authenticate Remote Employees
Inside an office using a physically wired broadband connection, network security can be maintained by authenticating employees on site. As remote work becomes more popular, off-site employees accessing the network becomes a security challenge. Hackers can impersonate remote workers to gain access to the network.
Implementing alternate authentication systems for remote employees, as well as requiring off-site employees to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect their data can reduce the risk of intrusion.
Use a VoIP Security System
Not every security system is designed to provide regular checkups on VoIP systems when it is essential to identify the kinds of distinctive, irregular behaviors that are indicative of hackers and scammers. A VoIP security system monitors the VoIP stream, checking call states and scanning for anything out of the ordinary so it can be flagged for investigation.
Educate Employees
Not all VoIP vulnerabilities are digital. The people who use VoIP systems are also susceptible to manipulation, and training employees to recognize common hacker scams like phishing for passwords helps them protect themselves against social engineering. According to Verizon, 80% of hacking-related data breaches happened because someone allowed a hacker to get their username and password, not because a brilliant coder found a weak point in the security infrastructure.
The IT team can protect the network against DoS attacks, but everyday end users of the VoIP system are the people most likely to click on a phishing email or disclose a password over the phone, so they are the ones who need this education the most.
Protect the VoIP Network
Businesses can strengthen their defenses by identifying the weak points in the VoIP network that hackers might attempt to manipulate and patching those through technology and education. Protecting the VoIP network is a collaborative effort that includes everyone who uses the system, as well as the IT team and administrators.
