Telecom Expense Management: Business VoIP Helps Protect Data Security
July 08, 2011
By Ed Silverstein, TMCnet Contributor
Business VoIP can help maintain data security at a time when identity theft of all kinds is on the rise.
Consumers in Britain and other nations are now increasingly reporting cases of identity theft.
Often, it is tied with security issues with correspondence from larger corporations. But smaller businesses are also involved.
There are issues for all kinds of stored data using integrated communications, including business telephone systems.
"Businesses are naturally going to want to get to know their customers,” business VoIP provider Synergy Plus said in a recent press release. "But to do that they need to hold information on them. This could be valuable for any criminal looking to exploit and defraud their customers. It's also all subject to laws and regulations around data protection.”
In Britain, a business which holds customer data has to follow the Data Protection Act. It regulates the gathering and processing of data.
Companies need to list the reasons why they hold the data. Then, the security of this personal data rests on those who gather and use the information, the company said.
Most larger organizations and companies have procedures in place about databases that hold customer information. Smaller companies may be unfamiliar with legal requirements on customer's data. There are many issues which can arise.
"An example of the type of problems this can cause could be a simple physical theft,” according to the company statement. “If a member of your staff had their laptop or a USB stick stolen containing the company's contact database, the results could be disastrous. Decisions would have to be taken for which steps were necessary around informing your customers that their data may have been compromised. In some worst case scenarios, if your business telephone system were compromised, sensitive information could be falling into the wrong hands. "
Organizations, whatever their size, have to “vigilant and identify any security breaches,” the company said.
The Data Protection Act requires organizations have a plan in place which covers any incidents.
VoIP and business VoIP, especially, provide an advantage because “all the data gathered is safely stored on a corporate server,” the company said.
“By focusing on the security and integrity of your data and systems, your business telephone system and IT solutions operate in full compliance with the Data Protection Act and deliver the information you need to enhance your operations,” the company adds.
Ed Silverstein is a TMCnet contributor. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by Juliana Kenny