Nine out of 10 IP resellers don’t appreciate security risks

According to new statistics from distributor Wick Hill, 90 percent of resellers still don’t fully appreciate the security risks associated with IP telephony.

The firm was highlighting the dangers of toll fraud, also known as ‘phreaking,’ which is often associated with organised crime. It involves criminals hacking into voice running on an IP network. The phone system is effectively hijacked and huge bills can be run up for unsuspecting end users, who may not discover what is going on until sometime after the attack.

Speaking about the current lack of focus on the subject, UK sales manager for Wick Hill, Siobhan Gibbs says: “Clients need to protect their VoIP activities every bit as much as they protect their data activities, if they’re to prevent toll fraud.

“If resellers are aware of the issues of toll fraud and don’t advise clients of the need for security, then when something goes wrong, guess who’ll get the blame?”
 
Gibbs made the remarks as Wick Hill announced the availability of Panasonic’s TDE and NCP voice switch platforms, incorporating Callista’s Control Phreak, which runs in real time to prevent dial-through phone fraud.

Says Gibbs: “Resellers who educate themselves on security for converged solutions will be in a great position to act as trusted advisors and take advantage of the unstoppable growth of convergence.”