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5 Vital VoIP measures to implementVoice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology is a flexible, scalable, and highly efficient communication solution that more and more modern businesses are relying on. However, a large user base makes VoIP an attractive cybercrime target, which means VoIP users face increasing risks. Here are five effective security measures you can implement to protect your business’s […]

The post 5 Vital VoIP measures to implement appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

5 Vital VoIP measures to implement

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology is a flexible, scalable, and highly efficient communication solution that more and more modern businesses are relying on. However, a large user base makes VoIP an attractive cybercrime target, which means VoIP users face increasing risks. Here are five effective security measures you can implement to protect your business’s VoIP systems and devices from various threats.

24/7 monitoring

VoIP security breaches usually take place outside operating hours. Attackers make phone calls using private accounts or access call records with confidential information on the sly. To avoid these security breaches, contract outsourced IT vendors to monitor network traffic for any abnormalities.

Virtual private networks

Virtual private networks (VPNs) create a secure connection between two points, as if they belong in the same closed network. It’s like building a safe secret tunnel between you and the person you’re calling. Using a VPN can also help overcome complications involving Session Initiation Protocol or SIP trunking, which is a recommended VoIP feature.

VoIP firewalls

Firewalls specifically designed for IP-based telephony curb the types of traffic that are allowed into your network. They ensure that every connection is properly terminated at the end of a session and identify suspicious calling patterns. Virtually every VoIP vendor provides these protocols, but you should always consult with your IT services provider as to how these protocols will be managed within your organization.

Encryption tools

VoIP systems that lack encryption can be easily broken into by hackers — even by amateur ones who can simply download and deploy tools to eavesdrop or intercept your calls. Some services claim to have built-in encryption, but companies still need to be vigilant and investigate how effective these are.

Using encryption ensures that even if hackers successfully download audio or video, they still won't be able to decode the file unless they have the decryption key.

Password protection

Using passwords to authenticate your access to private information is not as secure as it once was. Hackers can easily guess a password and use it for cyberattacks. Protecting the passwords themselves adds a layer of protection against threats. This can entail enabling multifactor authentication or using a password manager to generate and store an array of complex passwords.

VoIP is as important as any of your other network security considerations. It requires a unique combination of protection measures, and we’d love to give you advice on these. Give us a call today to get started.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Recording calls is good for business — here’s whyIs your customer service department lagging in terms of quality? If so, it may be time to review the call quality of your customer service representatives. One of the best ways to do that is to use your Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system’s call recording feature. By listening to recorded calls, you can find […]

The post Recording calls is good for business — here’s why appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Recording calls is good for business — here’s why

Is your customer service department lagging in terms of quality? If so, it may be time to review the call quality of your customer service representatives. One of the best ways to do that is to use your Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system’s call recording feature. By listening to recorded calls, you can find out what can be improved, reduce your team's errors, and gain several other benefits, including the following.

1. Upgrade employee performance

According to Edgar Dale’s Cone of Learning, people only remember 10% of what they read, 50% of what they see and hear, and 90% of what they do. By providing your agents with actual recordings of good and bad calling examples during training sessions and having them simulate calls afterwards, they’ll be able to learn better and provide high-quality customer service faster.

2. Improve customer service

One of the most important reasons why businesses should always record their calls is to ensure high-quality customer service. By reviewing calls, managers can understand how their agents have been dealing with customers, find out whether or not they’ve followed company protocol, and pinpoint any aspects that can be improved on.

Without call recording, managers would have to listen to each call in real time, which is time-consuming. By recording each call, not only will your managers save time, but your employees will also be motivated to perform at their best, since they know their calls can always be reviewed.

3. Retrieve missed details and prevent potential lawsuits

Your employees handle hundreds of phone calls daily, so it's understandable if they don't catch every single detail. And for companies that require their agents to manually input information during calls, there’s always a possibility that they’ll forget or miss certain information, which could then lead to disgruntled customers. If not properly handled, this can harm your reputation, reduce work opportunities, and if things escalate, proceed to litigation.

VoIP’s call recording feature lets you replay saved audio files to make sure you haven’t missed any details, ensuring that all customer demands are met. And if you ever get into a dispute with your clients regarding who said what, you can always retrieve the exact audio file and have both sides listen to it, saving you thousands of dollars in legal fees.

4. Understand customer preferences

Have you ever received an inquiry about a product or service that’s not included in your offerings? While your agents usually jot these requests down and pass them on to the relevant personnel, they may overlook some of these if numerous calls are being made that day. Tiny issues like this can lead to potentially huge losses.

With call recording, you can review all your calls at the end of the day. You’ll have a better picture of what certain customers are looking for so you can address their needs better.

VoIP allows businesses to make on-demand calls affordably, and its call recording feature helps companies improve their customer service and prevent litigation. If you think business VoIP is right for you, or if you have any questions, give us a call today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Improve your information systems with unified communicationsNowadays, integrated tech is cheaper and more reliable than ever. It’s a great way to graduate from piecemeal business solutions that often conflict with one another and bring about more headaches than they are worth. Unified communications (UC) is one example. What is unified communications? UC allows you to manage all your communications as one […]

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Improve your information systems with unified communications

Nowadays, integrated tech is cheaper and more reliable than ever. It’s a great way to graduate from piecemeal business solutions that often conflict with one another and bring about more headaches than they are worth. Unified communications (UC) is one example.

What is unified communications?

UC allows you to manage all your communications as one piece of architecture rather than as several different components patched together. It integrates computer-related communication technologies like instant messaging and video conferencing with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which allows you to make and receive calls using the internet.

What can be integrated?

Just about every medium of communication can be integrated. This includes voice communication in all its forms — voicemail, phone calls, voice memos, and the like — as well as multimedia services like video chat and web conferencing. Real-time communication like call screening and call conferencing can also be integrated. Even data services and transactions like eCommerce and online banking can be added to a UC system.

What are the benefits of UC to small businesses?

One of the most evident benefits is having a single and flexible communication infrastructure that allows you to streamline and enhance business communication and easily manage all the components.

Features can be easily scaled up or down to support your business needs. Other benefits include:

Hypermobility

UC enables you to access your files via a wide array of smart devices, like laptops, smartphones, tablets, and more. This means you can create your office environment and satisfy customers from anywhere you please. This opens up a world of opportunity for real-time collaboration and remote work.

Improved productivity

Productivity-enhancing communication features, like call info, call routing, and more, gives staff the ability to work more efficiently and better tend to customers’ needs. Web and video conferencing calls, for instance, not only allow for real-time interactivity, but also for better collaboration. Delayed response times and gaps between dispersed teams are also minimized.

Real-time updates

Real-time presence updates share users’ location and contact information — provided that you authorize the use of this feature. This way, you can get the right information from the right person when you need it.

Single point of contact

Clearly defined points of contact ensure that stakeholders can reach you by email, phone, SMS, etc., whether they are reaching out to you from a softphone, an IP phone, email, or IM.

Reduced costs

UC eliminates travel costs and lowers phone bills since it uses the internet to make calls. It also limits the need for expensive on-site hardware, as one UC server keeps everyone connected using the aforementioned communication features.

Even better, you can potentially save thousands of dollars on office overheads by allowing employees to work from home since they’ll remain connected with their softphones even when they’re not in the office.

It’s only a matter of time before unified communications becomes the norm for day-to-day office interactions. If you’re interested in learning more about how UC or VoIP can transform your business, just give us a call. We’ll answer your questions and help you devise an integration strategy for your business.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Improve your information systems with unified communications appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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How to tighten your VoIP systems’ securityFew companies today would survive without effective, cost-efficient collaboration tools like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions. But like any piece of technology, VoIP systems are fast becoming an easy target for attackers. Here’s how to protect your company’s internet-based communication devices from numerous threats. What many companies don’t realize is that valuable information moves […]

The post How to tighten your VoIP systems’ security appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

How to tighten your VoIP systems’ security

Few companies today would survive without effective, cost-efficient collaboration tools like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions. But like any piece of technology, VoIP systems are fast becoming an easy target for attackers. Here’s how to protect your company’s internet-based communication devices from numerous threats.

What many companies don’t realize is that valuable information moves across VoIP networks just like sensitive data is shared via email. In some cases, internet-based calls are more vulnerable to fraud, identity theft, eavesdropping, intentional disruption of service, and even financial loss. With numerous VoIP-based attacks, it’s crucial to implement these security measures now.

24/7 monitoring

VoIP security breaches usually take place outside operating hours. Attackers make phone calls using private accounts or access call records with confidential information on the sly. Contract outsourced IT vendors to monitor network traffic for any abnormalities to avoid these security breaches.

Virtual private networks

Virtual private networks (VPNs) create a secure connection between two points, as if they belong in the same closed network. It’s like building a safe secret tunnel between you and the person you’re calling. Using a VPN can also help overcome complications involving Session Initiation Protocol trunking, a recommended VoIP feature.

VoIP firewalls

Firewalls specifically designed for IP-based telephony curb the types of traffic that are allowed into your network. They ensure that every connection is properly terminated at the end of a session and identify suspicious calling patterns. Virtually every VoIP vendor provides these protocols, but you should always consult with your IT services provider as to how these protocols will be managed within your organization.

Encryption tools

Due to lack of encryption, VoIP systems can be easily broken into by even inexperienced hackers who can download and deploy tools to eavesdrop or intercept your calls. Some services claim to have built-in encryption, but companies still need to be vigilant and investigate how effective these are.

Using encryption ensures that even if hackers successfully download audio or video, they still can’t decode the file unless they have the decryption key.

Password protection

Using passwords to authenticate your access to private information is not as secure as it once was. Hackers can easily guess a password and use it for cyberattacks. This is why protecting the passwords themselves adds a great layer of protection against threats.

Employees should never divulge any compromising information during a VoIP call, as eavesdropping is one of the easiest and most common cyberattacks against VoIP networks.

VoIP is as important as any of your other network security considerations. It requires a unique combination of protection measures, and we’d love to give you advice on these. Give us a call today to get started.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post How to tighten your VoIP systems’ security appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More