VoIP security challenges highlighted

Keeping a VoIP network as secure as traditional phone systems involves a few unique challenges but these can be overcome by IT professionals, according to expert Gary Audin.

Adding internet telephony to the office network can exacerbate the security problems faced by the IT department as it creates another access point for hackers.

While professional VoIP providers will work to keep security levels high, companies who set up their own network are more at risk from eavesdroppers or denial of service attacks.

But to before VoIP implementation, companies should make sure their IT security team is prepared.

"The new responsibilities for VoIP security will require education, possibly some organisational adjustment and expanded job descriptions," writes Mr Audin for Computer Weekly.

There remain, however, fewer dangers in a VoIP network than a traditional computer network as the technology is comparatively young - although Mr Audin suggests this may change in the future as hackers develop viruses or password cracks.

So to prepare for the future and ensure the security of the network, Mr Audin suggests companies should check with their provider that a firewall is installed in front of the call server and in the VoIP gateway.

However, he cautioned that "the more barriers there are in the network and endpoints for security purposes, the more interference there will be with voice quality".