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One of the challenges that comes with VoIP is that it is relatively easy to hack. In regions such as Africa, it is common for criminals to hack into softswitches and piggyback off of businesses that use VoIP, and in other regions it is less common but still a problem.

Moving to digital calling delivers many benefits in flexibility and cost, but with that flexibility also comes this extra ease with which the unscrupulous can steal telephone resources.

Just as it is easier than ever to steal thousands of dollars from a bank account using its web site, so too can criminals wrack up thousands of dollars in VoIP calls and services without having to pay any of the bill. Tap in, and make the calls. It is hard to spot the offense until it is too late.

This is not just the case with softswitches, either; all VoIP calling has this inherent challenge. Whether from a softphone, a smartphone or a desk phone, unauthorized access can be a big problem.

That’s why it is important that businesses of all sizes take the necessary precautions to ensure their VoIP access is secure.

This means using mobile device management (MDM) software on smartphones whenever possible, because a stolen phone can bring access to the business VoIP phone network. It also means changing passwords regularly, and making sure that the passwords chosen are secure and complex.

It also means securing softswitches on the carrier level.

That in mind, REVE Systems has an interesting product to consider.

The company makes a popular softswitch, its iTel Switch Plus. The softswitch delivers a number of features, including advanced routing management, reseller partitioning, an infinite number of reseller levels, the ability to run behind a firewall, and an innovative feature that never lets customer go negative with their balances.

It also takes VoIP security seriously.

REVE has developed the iTel Switch Plus Security Device for its softswitches to ensure that criminals cannot take advantage of its products. The device generates a one time password or security code that is required to gain access to its iTel Switch Plus. The code provides a secondary layer of authentication beyond the standard username and password combination.

This added layer of security is unique to every use, so even if the password gets discovered it will not let others gain access to the softswitch.

This is real innovation, and it is something that others should note. VoIP, just like mobile banking, brings both opportunities and new challenges. The challenges can be overcome with good practices and solutions such as the Security Device idea used by REVE.

The question is whether businesses will start using such solutions before or after they’ve been burned by malicious attacks.