The Importance of Securing IP PABX System in Defending Businesses Against Cyber Threats

In the digital age we live in now, businesses depend heavily on technology to run quickly and well. The IP PABX device is one of the most important pieces of tech in any business. IP PABX systems are very important, but they can be attacked by hackers, which puts companies at risk of data breaches and other security problems. IP PABX systems have become very important to many businesses as they rely more and more on technology to run and interact. But these systems can also be prone to cyberattacks, which can be very bad for a business’s security and ability to run. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the cybersecurity risks that come with IP PABX systems and give you tips on how to keep them safe by following the best practices that IT solution providers and industry experts suggest.

Because IP PABX systems are connected to the internet, they are susceptible to cyberattacks. In order to obtain unauthorized access to a system and steal sensitive data, attackers can exploit vulnerabilities such as default passwords or outdated software. 22% of data intrusions, according to the 2020 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, involved stolen credentials, such as default or weak passwords. Therefore, it is essential to take the necessary steps to secure your IP PABX system.

Utilizing robust passwords is a best practice. Passwords should be lengthy and complicated, containing capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using dictionary terms or information that is readily guessed, such as birth dates or phone numbers. IEEE Standards Association suggests using a password manager to generate and securely store robust passwords. Enable multi-factor authentication to add an additional security layer.

Keeping your IP PABX system up-to-date with the latest software upgrades and updates is another essential practice. Typically, these updates resolve security flaws and enhance system performance. According to the 2021 IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report, companies that were able to patch vulnerabilities within a week had substantially lower data breach costs than those that took longer.

Network segmentation is another practice recommended for securing your IP PABX system. By segmenting the network, only authorized personnel can access the IP PABX system. This way, even if hackers compromise a portion of the network, they cannot access the IP PABX system. To prevent unauthorized access, the IEEE Communications Society suggests implementing a network access control (NAC) system.

In conclusion, when it comes to safeguarding the business from cyberattacks, it’s essential to make sure that its IP PABX system is secure. It can dramatically lower the likelihood of a data breach by taking steps to put best practices into action, such as making use of difficult passwords, performing software updates on a regular basis, and segmenting networks. IT solution providers can assist businesses in evaluating the security posture of their systems and make recommendations for how to best protect the IP PABX system. Start taking precautions right away to protect your IP PABX system and the business itself from the potential damage that could be caused by cyberattacks. Here at COMMJUNC we provide you with IT solutions and consultations to help to attain a more secure network.

REFERENCES:

• IEEE Standards Association. (2016). IEEE Std 802.1X-2016: IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks–Port-Based Network Access Control. doi: 10.1109/IEEESTD.2016.7749615
• IEEE Communications Society. (2018). Best Practices for Securing IP Telephony Systems. doi: 10.1109/COMST.2017.2760711
• Verizon. (2020). 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report. Retrieved from https://enterprise.verizon.com/resources/reports/2020-data-breach-investigations-report.pdf
• IBM. (2021). Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021. Retrieved from https://www.ibm.com/security/data-breach/