Which is More Secure: Hosted or On-Premise VoIP?

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN AN ON-PREMISE OR HOSTED SYSTEM?

It is widely accepted that hosted services are easier to set up and maintain than on-premises services. The service provider provides the required features via the cloud. You do not need to invest large sums of money or purchase expensive hardware to get started. You can change vendors if one is unable to meet your requirements.

On-premise systems require a greater investment – both financially and in terms of expertise. In the long run, premise-based VoIP systems provide more value for money. However, few organizations are initially able to afford such a system. Larger businesses are better equipped to manage on-premise VoIP systems.

WHAT IS MORE SECURE FROM A SECURITY POINT OF VIEW?

When debating between the two options, security is frequently overlooked. Costs, maintenance, ongoing technical support, and other risk factors are more important to organizations. They rarely consider the ramifications of each alternative for security.

The Security Consequences of On-Premise Systems

As the name implies, premise-based systems are located within your own office, typically in a closet or room. You have complete control over installation, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and security. This type of control is advantageous for organizations that must adhere to regulatory requirements or operate in specific industries, such as banking or insurance.

Regrettably, many businesses overestimate their network's security capabilities. Numerous organizations end up hiring costly consultants or information technology professionals to secure the low-cost system they believed would save them money.

VoIP, like email, routes voice calls over the Internet. As a result, the threat landscape for VoIP is distinct from the threat landscape for traditional landlines. Hackers can target your voice servers, intercept calls, place fraudulent calls, steal information (passwords, account credentials, client data, and so on), and even use the phones as a point of entry into an otherwise secure system. Prior to implementing on-premise systems, you should consider whether you have the in-house expertise necessary to manage all of this on your own.

Security Concerns with Hosted VoIP Systems

Often, hosted services are the better option, at least from a security standpoint. This is especially true for small and medium-sized businesses, which frequently lack in-house security experts. You can rest assured that if you purchase hosted services from a reputable vendor, they will secure their network and data center.

This does not, however, absolve you of all responsibility for security. When calls pass through hardware endpoints, user access, and your own network, you must still secure them. When an employee enters their password on a malicious website or discloses it on social media, they can easily compromise your entire system. Scammers can intercept calls or place unauthorized long-distance calls on your company's behalf by exploiting security flaws in phone hardware.

By and large, certain threats are unique to each type of system, while others are shared by both. For example, phishing attacks can compromise phones regardless of whether you use hosted services or manage your own on-premise solution. If you do not maintain accurate tracking of registered devices, hackers may be able to remotely log into your system and make calls. This type of attack is capable of being launched against cloud VoIP or SIP trunking solutions.

How Can You Ensure Your Business's Protection?

Regardless of the system used, it is critical to safeguard and secure the voice network. Using appropriate encryption techniques is one way to safeguard your business's data. This prevents criminals from extracting useful data even if they intercept calls or steal confidential information. However, keep in mind that encryption is not completely foolproof. Numerous organizations believe that encryption alone is sufficient to protect their network, only to discover that this is not the case.

Defense security tools are most effective when used in layers, which means that you should have multiple security tools working in tandem. Even if someone does manage to slip through one layer, they should be stopped by something else. Assume your network is protected by firewalls, SBCs, encryption, and strict access controls. Even if hackers succeed in breaching the firewall, they will have difficulty causing damage.

Numerous security breaches begin with user data. Sensitization and training went a long way toward defending the business against external threats. Therefore, whether you choose hosted services or build your own on-premise systems, make security a priority. A little foresight and planning will benefit you more than scrambling to fix a breach after it occurs.

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