You Need Carrier-Grade Mousetraps in the World of VoIP
Security is a never-ending threat on the Internet, and the proliferation of Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, increases these risks to a new level. Service providers must grapple with the reality that the voice transmission they are providing their customers "will never be 100 percent secure," cautions Yaron Raps, likening controlling security on the Internet to stopping spam, overnight. It is a challenge that takes continuous work and is more akin to building a better mousetrap ? until the next new mouse comes along, "It is not enough to install a firewall and say my network is secure. That just won't take care of the problem in an environment where IP traffic traverses multiple hops within a single network and then spans multiple networks." Mr. Raps is a solution partner at BusinessEdge Solutions, an industry-focused business and technology consulting firm offering operational strategy, business process and system integration solutions to clients in the communications industry.
On Wednesday, April 13 ? Friday, April 15, Mr. Raps will discuss relevant security issues at the 2005 VoIPossibilities in Dallas. In a panel discussion, "The Security Issues Surrounding VoIP," Mr. Raps will join other industry experts and outline the implications of these security issues for telecom service providers who, Mr. Raps says, must understand that as VoIP proliferates, the need for end-to-end network security multiplies.
"There are hackers today focused on the PSTN and the Internet, but VoIP, which unites the worlds of voice and the Internet, exacerbates the existing security vulnerabilities inherent in both," Mr. Raps says. "Further, VoIP introduces unique security and fraud threats that never existed before." With extensive expertise in all aspects of converged network services deployment and management, Mr. Raps has more than 10 years of experience planning, designing and launching carrier-grade VoIP services. That's been ample time to witness the reality and impact of security breaches.
He says that service providers must be vigilant and protect against an array of traditional and new threats, including: ? Hackers who tap into a network to get free phone service ? or similarly make international calls at domestic rates ? Users who are able to ?draw' multiple dial tones but appear as a single line to the carrier? Individuals who hijack the IP-Phone profile can replicate that across multiple devices and make free phone calls? Callers who spoof their identity and become impossible to track ? Hackers who tap into the network just for fun and threaten the integrity, stability and potentially, access to emergency services? Quality that can be compromised because of the real-time nature of VoIP transmissions and the impact that viruses and denial of service-type attacks have on latency over the public InternetMr. Raps, whose credentials include designing and launching a VoIP service for a major U.S. telco, was also instrumental in the design and launch of Norway's largest VoIP network. He currently directs BusinessEdge Solutions' teams that are engaged in supporting consumer and business services VoIP platforms for other US carriers and cable operators.
VoIPossibilities focuses exclusively on the independent operating company (IOC) sector.
Sponsored by the two leading independent telecom trade associations, the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) and the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO), VoIPossibilities will draw more than 500 key decision makers from independent local exchange carriers (ILECs) and their subsidiaries across the country. "Telco service providers must focus on designing systems that will segregate VoIP traffic from the public Internet so that the later won't pollute their VoIP systems," Mr. Raps says."With VoIP usage still in its infancy, the optimal time to act and build safeguards is now." About BusinessEdge Solutions Inc.BusinessEdge Solutions Inc. is an industry-focused business technology and consulting firm offering operational strategy, business process and system integrations solutions to clients in the communications, life sciences, financial services and insurance industries. The company drives competitive advantage for its clients by leveraging innovative Reusable Solution Accelerators (RSAs) to reduce the time, cost and risk of client engagements.
BusinessEdge is distinctive among consulting firms in that its multidisciplinary consultants have an average of 12 years of industry experience and expertise. This strong knowledge and experience base is at the core of the company's unwavering commitment to create vision for its clients ? and is the driver behind the company's delivery of high-impact, cutting edge solutions. VoIP is one of the company's many service offerings. See www.businessedge.com for a complete listing of all solutions and service offerings. For more information, contact:Patrick Mullen 732 213.3937Barbara Mannino 732 839.3175.
VOIP Versus Analog Telephone Service
Internet-based telephone services seem to have captured a lot of attention among residential and business phone customers lately. Offering a range of new features with attractive flat-rate "all-you-can-eat" prices, it would seem that the days of traditional, analog phone services are numbered. After all, if you can get unlimited local and long distance phone service for a flat rate of $20 - $40 per month, why pay more? Here's one reason. "I've had calls dropped in mid-conversation on my VOIP service, just like my cell phone," says Bob Ghoman, President of Azura Technologies. Mr.
Ghoman, who installed VOIP phone service in his home office last year, says that, "The sound quality can vary tremendously depending on the time of day, and it's about as reliable as my cell phone when I'm driving."How is VOIP phone service different and why doesn't it measure up to the quality and reliability of analog? VOIP telephony provides phone service through a high-speed Internet connection. Once...
VOIP Versus Analog Telephone Service
Voip > VOIP Versus Analog Telephone Service
Equipment You Need For Voip
Copyright 2006 Dave Markel
There is a gradation between the means of communication via VoIP.
First come simple VoIP software (so called soft phones) that is installed on your computer, assuming that computer has a broadband internet connection. The most famous are Skype, Net2Phone, Free World Dialup, Gizmo etc. In order to chat using this applications you should install appropriate software. As you know most of VoIP software is absolutely free. Of course you need to have sound card in your computer and speakers (headset) with the microphone attached.
The calls all over the world are free of charge as long as you are making a call from one computer to another.
For a small fee (smaller then simple phone to cellular or landline call) you can still talk using your software. Soft phones support such features as call forwarding, voicemail, conference calls and even video data transmission.
After software means of VoIP Internet phones...
Voip > Equipment You Need For Voip