Unified communications (UC) platforms have become essential tools for companies of all sizes, enabling seamless collaboration, improved productivity, and enhanced customer experiences. However, as UC solutions become more prevalent, they also present new security risks that businesses must address.
Over 60% of IT leaders report data security as their biggest challenge when adopting a unified communications system.[1] Failing to prioritize UC security can have severe consequences for organizations, including data breaches, compliance violations, and reputational damage. And with 66% of U.S. consumers stating they would not trust a company that experiences a data breach,[2] selecting a unified communications provider that takes data security seriously is a top priority.
In this blog, we’ll break down the security threats targeting UC platforms and the safety features to look for when choosing a unified communications system for your business.
What Are Common UC Security Threats?
Cyber threats targeting unified communications are on the rise as threat actors recognize the value of the data and access these platforms can provide. Some of the most prevalent UC security threats include:
Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
DoS attacks aim to disrupt or disable UC services by overwhelming systems with malicious traffic. This can take the form of call flooding, message flooding, or manipulating signaling protocols to freeze the system. Security officers must be vigilant in monitoring network activity and implementing rate-limiting measures to mitigate these threats.
Theft of Service
If your employees don’t have strong passwords in place, malicious parties can easily exploit UC systems to make unauthorized, often illegal, calls and misuse services for their own gain. This service theft often leads to significant financial losses and reputational damage for the affected organization, as the company’s phone numbers and resources may be implicated in illicit activities.
Hacking Tools
Publicly available hacking tools, such as SIPVicious, can be used to scan networks, identify vulnerable SIP servers, and even crack passwords, providing bad actors with a gateway into a company’s UC infrastructure.
Poor Access Control
Weak user access management can leave a UC system vulnerable to misuse. By leveraging a unified communications platform that offers granular control over user permissions, an organization’s security team can restrict access to sensitive features and functionality based on the user’s role and responsibilities.
“UC in a Box” Vulnerabilities
The rise of all-in-one UC solutions has introduced new security concerns for companies, as these platforms have become prime targets for hackers. An attack targeting these systems could potentially compromise an entire company’s communication channels and provide a foothold for further attacks on the corporate network.
UC Security Investment Considerations
The safety and security of data should be a primary factor when selecting a unified communications system. By investing in a secure UC platform, you can protect your company’s – and your customers’ – sensitive data, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain trust. Here’s what to consider when evaluating UC platforms:
Data Encryption
Encrypted data, whether in transit or at rest, is protected from bad actors attempting to gain access. UC providers should offer end-to-end encryption technology, Transport Layer Security (TLS), and Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP) to safeguard voice, video, and messaging communications. By implementing these encryption protocols, your security team can minimize the risk of eavesdropping, data tampering, and other cyber threats targeting your company’s UC environment.
Firewalls
Firewalls play a crucial role in protecting a UC system from external threats. UC providers should offer SIP-aware firewalls that can monitor and control the flow of SIP traffic, mitigating the impact of attacks like denial of service. Additionally, incorporating session border controllers (SBCs) into your UC infrastructure can further enhance your business’s network security and ensure the integrity of your communications.
Call Monitoring and Fraud Detection
Since UC systems can be targets for fraudulent activities, such as scam calls and phishing attempts, consider seeking a platform that provides call monitoring and intelligent fraud detection capabilities to identify and mitigate these threats in real-time.
Network Security
The right unified communications provider should employ network security measures such as network segmentation, traffic monitoring, and anomaly detection technology to identify and mitigate suspicious activity that might affect your UC system. By securing the underlying network infrastructure, your service provider can help prevent unauthorized access, detect and respond to potential threats, and maintain the reliability and availability of your UC services.
Why Is UCaaS Encryption Important for Businesses?
Encryption is a fundamental aspect of UC safety, as it ensures the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive business data. Here’s how implementing encryption protocols helps companies safeguard their communications:
- Data Security – UCaaS platforms transmit data packets over the internet, making them vulnerable to eavesdropping and network breaches. However, encrypted data can only be accessed by authorized parties with the correct encryption keys, effectively mitigating the risk of data theft or tampering.
- Regulatory Compliance – Many industries, including healthcare and finance, have strict regulatory requirements regarding the handling of sensitive information. Regulations like HIPAA and PCI-DSS often mandate encryption to protect data and ensure compliance.
- Data Breach Protection – Data breaches can have devastating consequences for organizations. By implementing robust encryption for their UCaaS platform, companies can reduce the likelihood of successful data breaches and the associated costs.
- Customer Trust – Customers are increasingly wary of sharing sensitive information with companies that do not take adequate measures to safeguard their data. Demonstrating a commitment to data security through the use of encryption can help companies build trust with customers and strengthen their brand reputation.
Popular Methods for Encrypting UCaaS
Unified communications providers employ several encryption methods to safeguard their platforms. These methods include:
Data Center Encryption
Data center encryption secures data stored in a UCaaS provider’s geographically distributed servers. This typically includes full-disk encryption using standards like AES and database-level encryption to ensure the confidentiality of at-rest data.
End-to-End Data Encryption
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) applies encryption only to the devices involved in the communication, ensuring data is protected from the moment it leaves the sender’s device until it reaches the recipient’s device. This prevents eavesdropping or tampering during transit.
Communication Encryption
UC providers also employ secure real-time transport protocol (SRTP) and transport layer security (TLS) to encrypt the actual communication channels, protecting sensitive information like usernames, passwords, and call details.
Create Secure Unified Communications Experiences With Wazo
Securing your communications platform is crucial for protecting your business, your employees, and your customers. By investing in a UC system that prioritizes safety, you can mitigate the risks of cyber threats, data breaches, and compliance issues — while building trust and enhancing your overall communication capabilities.
For MSPs looking to deliver secure unified communications experiences, Wazo has you covered. Our UCaaS platform is purpose-built for MSPs to build customized offerings that set you apart from the competition, with easy-to-implement features that keep your customers’ critical business data safe. Book a demo today to see the Wazo platform in action.
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