VoIP (voice-over-IP) phone systems enable calls to be placed over the internet – either long-distance or local for a fraction of the cost of traditional phone systems. However, VoIP networks that are not hosted within secure networking environments can have specific security drawbacks.
What’s the difference between premise-based and hosted solutions?
Premise-based VoIP systems “live” on site, typically in a server closet. Depending on the type of equipment you choose, a premise-based solution can be cheap. But it’s easy to overlook factors such as scalability, existing infrastructure and ongoing technical support. If you plan on expanding rapidly over the next 12 to 18 months, you are going to need connectivity to back it. Otherwise, you won’t be able to successfully handle the spike in traffic. …show more content…
Technical support is generally maintained by the hosting provider, so if your server needs a reboot or experiences a spike in traffic, on site staff can scale up your bandwidth accordingly while keeping a watchful eye on server performance.
What do these differences mean for security?
Security is the main concern for many VoIP hosting providers. VoIP servers are susceptible to malicious attack, as any other computers or servers are. Whether you choose a hosted or premise-based VoIP solution, be aware of the following security risks:
Fraud: Attackers gain access to a network, only to siphon off minutes or steal service at others’ expense. If proper encryption methods are not used to authenticate users on a network, hackers can steal user information by: eavesdropping – a simple act where attackers listen in to steal precious information like credit card numbers, voicemails or passwords. phishing – a classic internet trick. Thieves pose as someone else, asking for your credentials to clear up some non-existent problem. If they trick you into believing they are legitimate, they win and you
What’s the difference between premise-based and hosted solutions?
Premise-based VoIP systems “live” on site, typically in a server closet. Depending on the type of equipment you choose, a premise-based solution can be cheap. But it’s easy to overlook factors such as scalability, existing infrastructure and ongoing technical support. If you plan on expanding rapidly over the next 12 to 18 months, you are going to need connectivity to back it. Otherwise, you won’t be able to successfully handle the spike in traffic. …show more content…
Technical support is generally maintained by the hosting provider, so if your server needs a reboot or experiences a spike in traffic, on site staff can scale up your bandwidth accordingly while keeping a watchful eye on server performance.
What do these differences mean for security?
Security is the main concern for many VoIP hosting providers. VoIP servers are susceptible to malicious attack, as any other computers or servers are. Whether you choose a hosted or premise-based VoIP solution, be aware of the following security risks:
Fraud: Attackers gain access to a network, only to siphon off minutes or steal service at others’ expense. If proper encryption methods are not used to authenticate users on a network, hackers can steal user information by: eavesdropping – a simple act where attackers listen in to steal precious information like credit card numbers, voicemails or passwords. phishing – a classic internet trick. Thieves pose as someone else, asking for your credentials to clear up some non-existent problem. If they trick you into believing they are legitimate, they win and you