Unified communications (UC) is an end-to-end solution, allowing employees to make and receive both internal and external communications over one cloud-based platform. As it is entirely internet based, this means you shouldn’t overlook the security of your UC system.
Here are 5 tips for ensuring your UC platform is secure.
Implement a strict password policy
Everyone is guilty of using passwords that they find easy to remember – be it your birthday, name, or even something like ‘password’ or ‘12345’. However, these passwords are much easier to guess, which makes them inefficient for any account – especially those you use for work.
As a general rule of thumb, the longer the password is the more secure it will be. It should also have a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, and include some numbers and symbols too. You can also use a random password generator for something that is totally unique made from unrelated characters.
It is also good practice to have a policy which forces employees to regularly change their password at least every year.
Use a trusted software
Make sure you do your research into the UC providers available to you. Though it might be tempting to go for the cheapest option, partnering with a highly-regarded company will ensure that your software works exactly the way you want, and, crucially, is as safe as possible.
The Horizon cloud-hosted PBX, for example, is developed by Gamma, which has won multiple awards for its UCaaS development and provisions. By choosing a software from a top-tier provider such as this, you can rest assured that your UC system will be secure.
And, if anything were to happen, you will have peace of mind that you can quickly get in touch with the provider, who can solve the issue immediately and remotely.
Consider two-factor authentication
Have you ever tried to make a purchase or log into something, only to be asked to prove you actually are who you say you are? This is a form of multi-factor authentication, which ensures that only those who should have access to the service can gain access.
The most common of these is two-factor authentication, which usually involves entering your password, plus another method of verification, such as by clicking a link in an email or entering a code sent via text.
Look into VPNs and encryption for added protection
The beauty of UC is that it can be used anywhere, on any device, and thus can support remote working. However, this means that you must consider the potential security risks of remote workers who will be using their personal, unsecured wifi networks.
One way you can mitigate this is by asking remote workers to encrypt their device or remotely log into their workspace using a VPN.
Monitor activity at all times
And finally, the best way to protect any system from security threats is to make sure you catch them early, or as soon as possible. The easiest way to do this is to constantly monitor the activity on your system – either manually or with artificial intelligence.
This will automatically spot any activity that is deemed suspicious or out of character, allowing you to identify and solve any potential security issues before they have the chance to cause extensive damage.
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