Making the switch to a VoIP system can raise a lot of questions. Even if you are moving from an older VoIP system to a newer one, you want to know that you are getting the service and stability that your organization needs.
One question that you may have is whether your new VoIP phones will be secure. After all, doesn’t putting your phone system in the cloud make you more vulnerable to hackers and breaches?
These concerns are understandable, but with a little background knowledge you should be able to see how your company and its data are protected with the right VoIP provider.
Why Security is a Concern
Although it’s data breaches at big companies -- like Target, Anthem, and Sony -- that get the most headlines, information security is top of mind for organizations of all sizes. Whether you are a healthcare provider with security protocol dictated by HIPAA, or you just want to make sure that the confidential voicemail messages on your phone don’t end up in the wrong hands, you should be concerned about information security.
Without the right systems in place, your data and the data of your customers can be at risk. One successful data breach can cost you in ways that are both measurable, like fines or reimbursements, and immeasurable, like your reputation.
The System Matters
Some of the most common threats to VoIP systems apply to all network activity, like denial of service attacks, spam, and viruses. However, adding calls to your network also adds concerns about call interception, voicemail hacking, and caller ID spoofing. To protect against these kinds of risks, it is important to do a thorough assessment of the VoIP system you choose.
On-Premise VoIP Security
An on-premise VoIP system may sound like the best way to maintain control of any security concerns you have. However, when you choose to locate your VoIP hardware at your place of business, it places a great deal of pressure on your IT team to maintain its security. Depending on how well versed your team is on installing the appropriate firewalls and layered security options to protect your network, an on-premise VoIP solution may cause an undue burden for an already stressed team of professionals. Of course, that does not mean that it is impossible to setup and maintain security of this type of VoIP integration, only that it is essential to consider the workload and expertise of your internal IT team when it comes to security matters.
Cloud VoIP Security
When your VoIP system is located in the cloud, much of the security burden is shifted towards your VoIP provider for your phone calls and any integration solution. With the benefit of experience and the resources of their experts, hosted VoIP providers are simply better equipped to implement initial security features, and to scale those security features as your company grows.
Every piece of digital data that your organization collects and stores is a reason for you to be concerned about security. While adding VoIP functionality to your network does add some different concerns, it does not inherently put you at a greater risk. Indeed, VoIP phone systems actually offer a lower risk than traditional phone systems. As long as you are conscientious about choosing the right system for your organization, you can feel confident that your phone calls and sensitive data are safe.
Topics: VoIP
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