Securing your Remote IP Phone is of the utmost importance. VoIP/UC deployments are great for businesses, but not if your information is vulnerable. However, when protecting your VoIP network, you can’t simply lock it down against all unsolicited outside traffic. Doing this would prevent you from making and receiving calls. This would completely negate the point of having VoIP in the first place. Here’s what you can do instead to make sure your Remote IP Phone is secure:
Firewalls
A Remote IP Phone is located on a remote network on the Internet. Therefore, it is vitally important that you have strong firewalls. Your firewall is what monitors network traffic and blocks anything that violates its defined security parameters. Not having your firewall properly configured leaves your information vulnerable.
VPN
When using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) with your Remote IP Phone, you have to remember that it requires an Internet Protocol Security suite. Usually your firewall is between the Internet (considered an untrusted network) and your Local Area Network (a trusted zone). Therefore, when using a Virtual Private Network, you need to also make sure your firewall is configured properly in the remote location. Otherwise, you can’t safely use your VPN.
Session Border Controller
If you are using a Session Border Controller (SBC) solution, it is the SBC itself that lies between the Internet and your LAN. It operates as both a network security device and a VoIP security device. An SBC has the ability to monitor all traffic and dictate what is blocked based on its specified security rules. It is probably one of the best methods of securing your Remote IP Phone available.
If you have any questions regarding security, or Business Phone Systems in general, please contact Advanced Communication Systems today at 800-750-3624. Please feel free to also follow us on Twitter.
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