Enterprises around the world are increasingly embracing cloud-based communications for the benefits and value it offers. A cloud-based system can enhance workplace productivity and efficiency by enabling better real-time communication between employees, branches and customers. It can offer affordable and more predictable costs, and greater flexibility and agility as a business grows.
But transforming an enterprise’s communications platform is a significant undertaking. Before making the shift, there are some important considerations, including the need to build in strong communications security and network security to help ensure your business does not become an open target for cybercriminals.
Communications security in the cloud
Since business communications include confidential conversations between employees, customers, partners and suppliers — the security of a company’s network is paramount. Public cloud-based communications can be particularly susceptible to cyber criminals.
Techniques used to breach communications security are sophisticated and increasingly available to anyone with the money and desire to launch an attack. Network security can be compromised through phishing or malware attacks that may be used to steal passwords and spy on future communications. Communications security also can be compromised by activating headsets, microphones or laptop cameras from afar.
And, finally, there is the risk of a full-platform breach. Unlike traditional telephony systems, which are composed of disparate hardware elements, everything is connected in the cloud. By taking over an IP phone, hackers could potentially gain access to your applications, servers and more, compromising communications security.
Fortunately, there are ways to maintain communications security of your cloud-based communications. An important first step in network security is choosing the right platform and provider.
Network security starts with the right platform
A number of factors go into network security, but it begins with choosing the right platform.
Hosted cloud services, for example, can provide a secure and reliable foundation for your business communications. The benefit of a hosted cloud service is that it uses a dedicated data center, giving you more control over who can access your data and avoiding many of the pitfalls of public cloud solutions.
But not all hosted communications platforms have the same built-in communications security, so it’s crucial that you choose the right platform.
The unified communications solution
When it comes to communications security, unified communications, such as a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), is a popular option for many enterprises, regardless of size. UCaaS offers the benefits of the cloud supported by multiple layers of security designed for enterprise-level communications. The platform can provide a secure foundation for your communications, with the help of customer-specific MPLS-based VPNs, firewalls to control traffic, purpose-built management systems, and a secure, dedicated and private instance per customer.
The popularity of cloud-based communications services is growing rapidly. If your organization is considering making the shift to a cloud-based system, make sure communications security and network security are not an afterthought and that you select the right platform. Find out how a unified communications solution, such as Verizon’s Unified Communications and Collaboration as a Service platform, can provide a secure foundation that meets today’s enterprise-level data requirements.
Amy Lind, Manager of Product Marketing, Advanced Communications for Verizon, has more than 20 years of experience as a technology industry market intelligence professional.