You know it’s time to call it quits with your business landline service when phone costs are more expensive than alternative options, it limits remote work capabilities, or you’re looking for more calling features. Although VoIP has been around since the 1990s, its popularity continues to increase as users discover is low cost and convenient phone functionalities that support both on-site and remote employees. All you need is a stable internet connection and you’re ready to make and receive calls. In part I of this blog, we perused the benefits of VoIP in today’s business marketplace. In this sequel, we’ll hone in on five popular VoIP providers, items to consider before purchasing and security best practices to mitigate today’s ever-evolving cyber threats.
What to Consider When Shopping for a Provider
Convenience, functionality and cost savings are just a few reasons why VoIP is gaining popularity among business owners. As you shop around for providers, consider your budget, security features and specific functions that matter most to your company and colleagues. Knowing the tech-savviness of your workforce and the most desired features will lead to a smoother transition and more willing user adoption by employees.
| VoIP Provider | Key Features | Starting Price | Business Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| RingCentral |
|
$19.99 per user per month | Common among Enterprise businesses |
| Ooma Office |
|
$19.95 per user per month | Common among small and growing businesses |
| 3cx |
|
$21.99 per user per month | Common among small to large businesses |
| 8×8 |
|
$12 per user per month | Common among small to medium-sized businesses |
| Nextiva |
|
$18.95 per user per month | Common among growing businesses |
VoIP Security Best Practices
VoIP offers a convenient way to communicate, but how secure is it? Just as anything connected to the internet can fall prey to cyber-attacks, the same rings true for VoIP. However, with a reliable service provider and proper security measures in place, VoIP is a great communication tool for a variety of office spaces. Ensure your system remains secure and untampered with by selecting a reputable provider, recognizing threats and implementing tight security practices for all levels of the organization.
- Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN):
A VPN helps you maintain a secure connection by encrypting all your online traffic when connected to another internet network. This is an especially important step for remote work environments—whether at home or at the local coffee shop, a VPN helps secure your data. - Use an Encrypted Network:
Network encryption rearranges plain text so the data is unreadable and makes it increasingly challenging for hackers to wreak havoc on daily call activity. - Create Strong Passwords:
Strong passwords and password phrases are more difficult for cybercriminals to decode. Include a combination of capital and lower case letters, numbers and special characters when forming passwords and don’t use the same password for different login accounts. It’s also important to change default passwords imminently and have a practice of changing them routinely to prevent being hacked. Using two-factor authentication is a great way to add a second layer of protection every time you sign in. - Track Phone Usage:
Catch unusual call activity quickly when tracking call history and behavior. As you review your call logs you can identify unauthorized users or account takeovers. - Never Ignore Updates:
It’s easy to delay software updates or ignore them altogether, but installing these updates offers you the latest security features and patches to safeguard your system from an attack. - Educate Employees at All Organization Levels:
Security is only as good as a user’s awareness of crafty cyber tactics. It only takes one bad click or phone call to cause a data breach. It’s beneficial for every employee—from entry-level to C-suite—to received training on proper VoIP usage and the latest hacking schemes to avoid unintentional cyber-attacks from within your organization.
VoIP offers an array of features and conveniences to meet today’s communication demands no matter the location or the company size. Knowing your budget and the key features that matter most will help narrow down the perfect match for your business. Implementing proper security measures and knowing who to turn to for support is essential to maintaining a smooth and strategic operation. IronEdge believes each business deserves the best experience with their technology. We’re here to help you get the most out of your technology and communication needs.
New to VoIP? Read all about this technology here. Ready to give VoIP a try? We’re here to answer your questions and ensure you get the most out of your VoIP system!
IronEdge Group Recognized on CRN’s 2024 MSP 500 List
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