Industry View

VoIP Security: The Basics

Yes, voice-over-IP threats exist, including some new wrinkles. With care, Sonus Networks' Bob Bradley says you can mitigate risks to your networks.

By Bob Bradley, Sonus Networks

In assessing all these of threats and solutions it's also important for enterprises to understand that there are evolving specifications and deployment frameworks coming from the standards communities such as SIPconnect and the SIP Forum. These standards specify options for how enterprise/ provider SIP trunking should interoperate and be secure e.g. using TLS for encryption. In 2009, we'll see continued acceptance in the VoIP vendor community to adhere to such frameworks, making enterprise VoIP connections easier to administer and secure. Enterprises should query their VoIP vendors as to their support of key frameworks such as SIPconnect.

In conclusion

As VoIP deployments become more prevalent, security threats will continue to raise issues for today's enterprise. But, if these organizations remain educated on specific threats and solutions relevant to their business they will be in a stronger position to stop them from permeating into larger issues. Additionally, Enterprises should evaluate their business goals closely when considering new solutions and align all their selections in accordance with meeting those objectives. With these considerations taken, enterprises, SMBs, and their network managers can move with greater confidence to IP-enable next-generation networks, providing unified communications (UC) for employees both on and offsite.

Bob Bradley is product line manager of security solutions for Sonus Networks, a leading provider of carrier-class IP-Voice infrastructure solutions. He can be reached at rbradley@sonusnet.com.

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