We have talked in depth about the benefits of big data with VoIP. One benefit that has been overlooked is the use of big data and blockchain to improve VoIP security.
VoIP has become a leading choice for business communications. It offers savings of up to 90% on international calls, 75% on operational costs, 40% on local call bills, and 30% on phone bills – as reported by Finances Online. As is the case with all Internet-based communication systems, however, it has its vulnerabilities, although none are insurmountable when a cutting-edge security system is in place. Blockchain – a technology that has already made major inroads into everything from investment to real estate and finances – is also promising to change the face of VoIP communications, with key features that make it an asset in optimizing security.
Why Is VoIP Vulnerable To Cyber Threats?
IBM’s Security Intelligence report has confirmed that specially designed SIP messages have the potential to create connectivity spikes. When these are made persistently, they can cause server vulnerabilities and equipment failure. Because VoIP services such as online calls rely on the same paths used by internet traffic, the latter can be used to intercept and modify calls, leading to a disruption or elimination of the service. Cyber criminals can also engage in ID spoofing so as to obtain data or carry out additional attacks on their targets. Additional threats to safe communications include call tampering, eavesdropping, ID spoofing, phishing, and more. In some cases, hackers use a specific number to steal an identity, with the view to obtaining sensitive information or to making fraudulent gains. Some attacks can be harmless yet annoying. This is the case with call tampering. Hackers inject certain noises into the data stream, destroying the quality of calls. Far more dangerous is the bait of call hijacking,. Here, hackers attempt to overtake a call to steal sensitive information. Denial of service attacks, meanwhile, block the user’s access to the system.
We have talked about the benefits of using AI for cybersecurity. These principles are true for VoIP technology as well as other digital security options.
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What Are The Major Security Threats To VoIP?
Leaders in VoIP provision like RingCentral and 8×8 compete in areas such as price, toll free minutes and people per call. However, these and other competitors are also aiming to lead the industry by demonstrating plans of growth and their product’s ability to support a healthy rate of growth. One way to do so is by providing clients with key advice regarding how to keep major threats such as fraud, phishing, malware and viruses, identity theft, and DoS attacks at bay. This can be achieved through a multifaceted approach that includes encryption by segment, device and user; relying on VPNs for remote phone network connection; and the encryption of signaling at Internet Gateway with Session Initiation Protocol – as suggested by Cisco’s Talos security group. Providers should also be aware of the way in which blockchain can be a handy tool for clients.
Blockchain To Boost Security
Blockchain technology can be used to add top-grade encryption to all processes involving the transfer of data. Added authentication can be used, for instance, whenever text, video, images, and/or voice data are sent. Blockchain can also offer optimized call privacy whenever the VoIP provider offers this service. Call privacy can involve various strategies – including substituting or masking numbers. Blockchain’s ability to time stamp features is a third key element that will enable users to find specific transactions. With just one click, companies can discover which transaction was made, and best of all, the entire stamping process is automatic.
Encryptotel: An Example of How Call Privacy can be Improved
In various countries, privacy can be a major issue. Blockchain infrastructure provider Encryptotel (which specializes in secure VoIP and B2B blockchain) relies on various tactics to increase privacy. These include the encryption of conversations, number substitution, and absent logging. It also has an ultra-resistant man in the middle (MITM) encryption protocol. MITM is a notorious eavesdropping technique that blockchain can help stop in its tracks.
Blockchain and the Elimination of SBCs
Traditional VoIP authentications were hooked up to a telephone’s MAC address, which in turn had to be identified by session border controllers (or SBCs). In other words, users making a call via VoIP would have to be identified by an SBC in order for the call recipient to identify the caller. Blockchain does away with the need for SBCs completely, and phone carriers themselves will no longer be necessary, as the joint database will be able to identify calls seamlessly. Because of the key role played by blockchain in authentication, it will also stop hackers from placing fake calls on the user’s behalf. Quite simply, their attempts will fail the authentication stage thanks to blockchain technology.
Changing Implementation Models
Eugene Shumilov on Medium reports that a new, decentralized version of the ENUM VoIP protocol named ENUER is based on the Emercoin blockchain. It is a fine example of how blockchain’s security strategy and architecture is influencing communications. Decentralizing VoIP heightens the interest of this form of communication to industries and organizations requiring the highest levels of security including the government and vital industries. The advantages of decentralization are numerous. They include infinite scalability (which is dependent on the Emercoin peer network) and the quick answering of ENUM queries because processing occurs locally.
Blockchain is Ideal for Boosting VoIP Security
VoIP is a leading choice for business communications. However, as it relies on Internet traffic, it is subject to many of the same attacks that other traffic is. Companies wishing to protect data should approach cybersecurity with a multifaceted strategy that includes blockchain, encryption by segment, device, and user, and the encryption of signaling at Internet Gateway with Session Initiation Protocol. Blockchain can help boost security in many ways by substituting numbers, including time stamping features, and decentralizing protocols. The future of blockchain for communications is a certain fact at this stage, though it remains to be seen what mainstream VoIP providers will be offering their clients in terms of protection via blockchain. Big inroads have already been made by blockchain infrastructure providers like Encryptotel. The latter combines encryption features with active resistance strategies against hackers. Considering the sensitivity of data that is often sent via VoIP, it makes sense for governments, health organizations, and other key industries to embrace blockchain for all its VoIP-based communications.