Protect your communications network and IP

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has become an integral aspect of modern day businesses around the globe, taking the productivity of your workforce to new heights by making yourself available to your clients from remote locations where before, this was not a possible.
VoIP is a type of technology that allows its users to make calls using the broadband Internet rather than the conventional or analogue phone system. It works by converting sound into digital voice communication and then transferring it through Internet broadband. Using a VoIP system has several benefits for many businesses.
With the rise in telecommunications intelligence in the modern age comes increased fears of security breaches. With fraud on the rise, businesses have had to invest large capital into ensuring their data is safe from fraudsters.
“Security is critically important to every organisation, but it is even more important when talking about the communications network of your business,” says explains Ravin Naidu, territory sales lead: South Africa at ALE, trading under the brand Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise.
“Although business owners can never completely eliminate the risks associated with cyber-attacks, they can ensure these risks are reduced by implementing a layered approach to their communications networks and internet protocols (IP).”
VoIP that is integrated into phones and computers are prey to security risks such as unauthorised personnel gaining access to sensitive data and viruses that are designed to access protected information.
“VoIP is a relatively new form of internet application however, it still remains an internet application by design. Because of this, security protocols used to protect plain text applications works effectively in protecting your communications network and IP,” explains Naidu.
Adopting a layered approach to protect your data is the most effective way to protect your businesses information. “Often, businesses make the mistake of thinking one layer of security will safeguard their network against attacks however, this is a dangerous assumption. A one layered approach will protect your network against specific attacks, but not against all attacks.
“This is why a layered approach is an effective solution as it mitigates all risks associated with the security of your network,” says Naidu.
Businesses in the modern technology age need to ensure layers of security protocols are implemented in their business. This will ensure that suspect communications that reach the firewall are immediately blocked by your businesses security protocols.
“Cyber criminals are becoming savvier each day and learning how to hack into servers to access information. As technology is advancing, so are their methods of breaching businesses firewalls to access data. Every business owner needs to ensure their data is sufficiently protected against attacks by adopting methods that will ensure the privacy of their data and in turn, the safety and longevity of their business,” concludes Naidu.