Unified communication (UC) platforms have grown in popularity in today’s overall business communications landscape. The global market for UC is expected to reach approximately $167 billion by 2026, driven by the ongoing digital transformation and adoption of cloud-based communication solutions.
With UC’s popularity, enormous amounts of data are being transferred using the cloud.
Compliance and security concerns are major areas of interest for companies that are switching to Unified Communications. In this blog, you’ll learn more about how you can bolster your company’s UC security.
What Makes UC Security So Important?
Unified Communications (UC) isn’t a brand-new concept, but it’s still relatively new to the thousands of businesses that are just now adopting it. As these organizations transition to UC, they’re discovering the significant benefits it offers, such as streamlined communication, improved collaboration, and cost savings. However, the newness of UC to these businesses also brings challenges from hackers, particularly in terms of security and compliance.
Phishing, malware, and DDoS attacks are increasingly targeting UC users. This surge in attacks doesn’t mean that UC is less secure than traditional methods of communication. In fact, UC can be more secure due to modern security features including advanced encryption and centralized management.
Poor security practices can expose a company to significant punitive damages and regulatory sanctions. In 2023, the CTFC and SEC imposed penalties totaling more than $1.8 billion, particularly in relation to record-keeping and communication failures.
Finding Your Ideal UC Software
Selecting the right Unified Communications (UC) platform for your business involves careful consideration of its challenges, such as managing remote teams, integrating with existing tools, or improving customer interaction.
For many companies, opting for a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solution is a smart choice. UCaaS offers flexibility and scalability and reduces the need to support obsolete in-house communications infrastructure. Providers, like Xtel, understand the importance of security and compliance, and have built their platforms with advanced monitoring software and robust protections to safeguard your business communications.
Create a Broad Security Strategy
Your UC security should seamlessly integrate into your overall security strategy and protocols across your organization.
At a minimum, your business should enable MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) to strengthen user authentication, a firewall to enforce security policies by monitoring and controlling network traffic, and VPN’s (Virtual Private Network) to securely connect remote users to your corporate network. Additionally, nearly 80% of companies have implemented or are in the process of starting their Zero Trust journey to ensure their data is only accessed by the people who need it.
Train Your Humans Well
Human error still accounts for many breaches and security issues. No matter how robust your security measures are, they can be devastated by a weak password, phishing emails, or an unsecured laptop. It’s essential to change your passwords frequently, train your employees to use your UC Platform correctly and practice good cyber security with Cybersecurity Awareness Training.
Keep An Eye Out for Risks
Just like technology, security threats change and evolve over time. Even if you lock down your UC security today, it’s important to keep an eye out for the threats of tomorrow. Conduct regular security audits and stay informed about new threats in the cybersecurity world.
Fortify Your UC Security Today
For businesses that are new to UC, it’s crucial to proactively secure your communications infrastructure from the outset. By doing so, your business can fully leverage the advantages of UC while minimizing potential risks associated with this technology.
Contact Xtel to explore how our reliable and secure UCaaS platform supports and grows your business.
