Voice over IP (VoIP) presents totally different challenges than a public switched telephone network (PSTN). It runs on the web and inherits many challenges for VoIP service providers on a way to secure VoIP system. Until now, security has been overshadowed by the attractiveness of VoIP technology.
Security Risks
Meanwhile, VoIP traffic remains on networks that aren’t sufficiently protected. This infrastructure includes personal branch exchange systems; gateways; proxy, registrar and locator servers, and phones. every VoIP component is available and accessible over the information network. Therefore, before deploying VoIP system you need to remember its security risks and also the countermeasures. In fact, the potential threats area unit numerous and embody, as an example, attacks on the confidentiality, integrity and accessibility of the system.
The top security issues associated with VoIP implementation are:
- Interception of calls
- Denial of service attacks
- Theft of service
- Exfiltration of data with the help of media session
- Malware embedded in media and signalling session
How to Secure VoIP System:
- First of all, carefully choose proper VoIP protocols. The equipment should satisfy your requirements;
- Especially relevant is to disable unneeded protocols, which could harbour unknown vulnerabilities;
- Perform a security audit of each VoIP element that is accessible on the network. Check telephones and terminals. VoIP elements are software components running on hardware. Make sure it’s possible to manage the underlying operating system;
- Separate the VoIP and other IP-based infrastructure using logical or physical separators;
- Authenticate remote operations. Noteworthy to use only an authorised personnel from authorised locations;
- Make sure the VoIP security system will track the communications ports by reading within the signalling packets to find the chosen ports and enable two endpoints to send media packets to every other;
- Noteworthy to include your VoIP servers in the tape backup schedule. Without a backup, you will be unable to restore telephony;
- Use Network Address Translation (NAT), because it converts internal IP addresses into a single, globally unique IP address for routing across the Internet.
In conclusion please note that the list is not exhaustive and only includes some of the most common tips for mitigating security issues.
Inextrix, along with providing VOIP solutions also focuses on securing your VOIP systems and save you from the disasters which can happen by using Non-secure VOIP systems.
