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Call encryption converts your voice data into an unreadable code during transmission, ensuring that only you and your intended recipient can understand the conversation. Once limited to high-security applications, it is now essential for any business that wants to protect information & privacy online. With methods like end-to-end encryption (E2EE) & transport layer security (TLS), understanding these protections is vital as cyber threats evolve.
Why Is Call Encryption Important?
As business communications increasingly rely on internet-based technologies, call encryption has become a critical component of data security. Here’s why it’s crucial:
Protection of Sensitive Information
Call encryption safeguards confidential business discussions, client information, and proprietary data from unauthorised access. It helps your business comply with regulations like HIPAA or GDPR. It’s particularly important for industries with stringent privacy regulations, like healthcare and finance.
Defence Against Cyber Threats
Encrypted calls are inarguably more difficult for cybercriminals to intercept and exploit. As cyber-attacks become increasingly sophisticated and frequent, reliable phone encryption devices, methods and protocols can add a layer of protection.
Maintaining Business Integrity & Competitive Advantage
Clients and partners are more likely to trust and do business with companies that take data security seriously. When you choose E2EE for VoIP calls or encrypted call recording for your call centre solutions, you show your business’s commitment to protecting your clients and partners’ interests. Securing your communications also means shielding business strategies & intellectual property from competitors who might gain an unfair advantage through corporate espionage.
How Does Call Encryption Work?
Now, it’s clear that call encryption is essential for any business today. But how does call encryption work, and how can it protect your business communications?
Here’s the step-by-step process of how phone call encryption usually works:
Voice Compression
When you speak into your office phone system or VoIP-enabled device, your voice is converted into digital data packets. These packets are compressed for faster transmission.
Data Encryption
The compressed data packets are encrypted using robust algorithms like Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP).
Transmission
The encrypted data packets are then sent over the internet. Even if someone intercepts these packets, they’ll just see gibberish without the decryption key.
Decryption
At the recipient’s end, the encrypted packets are decrypted using the correct key.
Voice Reconstruction
The decrypted data is then decompressed and converted back into audible sound waves, allowing the recipient to hear your voice clearly.
Two key protocols work together to ensure this process is secure:
- Transport Layer Security (TLS): This protocol secures the signalling portion of the call, protecting sensitive business information like caller ID and call setup data.
- Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP): This encrypts the actual voice data, so even if someone intercepts the call, they can’t understand the conversation.
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It’s worth noting that both ends of the call need to support encryption for maximum security. So, whether you run a call centre, operate a hosted business phone system, or regularly use Teams, choose a solution or provider with robust encryption options.
What Are the Services That Offer Call Encryption?
Many communication platforms offer call encryption to protect user privacy and guarantee secure conversations. Here are some popular and notable services that provide robust call encryption:
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams’ call encryption is comprehensive. For standard calls and meetings, Teams uses industry-standard TLS and SRTP to encrypt data in transit. For situations requiring heightened security, Teams also offers E2EE for one-on-one calls and meetings (with Teams Premium). When E2EE is enabled, only the participants have access to the decrypted conversation, ensuring maximum privacy.
Skype
Skype, another Microsoft product, also prioritises call security. It uses AES to encrypt calls, messages, and files. While Skype-to-Skype calls are encrypted by default, calls to mobile or landline numbers are only encrypted to Skype’s servers and then routed through traditional phone networks.
WhatsApp uses the Signal Protocol to implement end-to-end encryption for all calls and messages. This ensures that only the communicating users can read or listen to what is sent, and nobody in between, not even WhatsApp.
Zoom
After facing scrutiny over its security practices, Zoom has significantly improved its encryption offerings. It now provides E2EE as an optional feature for all users, securing audio, video, and screen sharing.
Google Meet
While not offering end-to-end encryption for most calls, Google Meet encrypts all data in transit between the client & Google servers and all data at rest. If your business has stricter security needs, Google offers client-side encryption as an additional layer of security.
What Are the Best Practices for Implementing Call Encryption in Your Organisation?
Here are some tips for choosing phone encryption devices or methods and best practices for successfully adopting call encryption within your organisation:
Assess Encryption Needs
Determine the nature and sensitivity of the business data you need to protect. Also, evaluate the regulatory requirements in your industry. Both information will help determine the level of encryption needed.
Consider End-to-End Encryption
Look for solutions that offer E2EE, like Microsoft Teams, to guarantee that only the intended recipients can access the decrypted content of your business calls.
Evaluate Encryption Protocols
Select solutions that use strong, industry-standard encryption protocols like AES for data encryption and TLS for secure connections.
Check for Compatibility
Ensure the encryption method or device used is compatible with your existing phone systems and infrastructure. Also, consider how well the encryption solution integrates with other security tools and business applications you use.
Train Employees on Security Protocols
Educate staff on the importance of phone call encryption. Also, pick a user-friendly VoIP service or communication platform with a strong encryption method or protocol to encourage adoption across your organisation. Complex systems may lead to user errors or avoidance.
Ensure Policy Alignment
Check if your business’s encryption policy is practical and compliant with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.
Regularly Monitor & Update Security Measures
Keep encryption software or any other platform or solution that uses encryption up-to-date to protect against vulnerabilities. You should also review encryption practices regularly and monitor access logs for unauthorised attempts.
Contact Us to Learn More About Call Encryption
At Com2 Communications, we understand the difficulties of safeguarding sensitive business communications. So, if you want to learn more about phone call encryption, don’t hesitate to contact us. With our years of experience, we can point you in the right direction and suggest office phone systems, call centre solutions, VoIP services or other platforms with encryption protocols and methods that best suit your business needs.
