Friday 16 October 2009

Security For Business Communications

By Graham McKenzie

Data is the most important ally of any businessman, if used and stored properly and securely. The main problem to do this is that the necessity of storing the data in the office is felt by almost all the businessmen. The data is always critical to the organization and its development. It must be prevented from falling into the wrong hands. Any such leakage might cause major problems to the organization, to the point of even closing the entire organization.

Since almost every business uses computers to store their valuable data, the security of the computers is extremely important. Having software that will prevent hacking, spy ware and viruses is a must to keep your important data from getting into the wrong hands.

The next tool that has become a part of any business organization is the telephone. It?s through the telephone that most information is shared nowadays. So, even the telephones have to be secured from external interference to prevent people listening to the information that is being shared between you and the receiver. One of the recent trends in the data protection is the VoIP technology. VoIP is similar to any normal telephone, except that it has many advanced and better features that help the secure information transfer. Such a technological tool can help make any business better and competent. Through VoIP, you can place long distance calls at a much lower price and many more features, which will be quite expensive, if present in normal telephones. VoIP provides services like the audio and video conferencing, call waiting, three-way calling, text messaging, and many other additional features, free of cost.

The reason that VoIP can offer these services at a lower cost is because they use the internet where data can be transmitted free of charge. They use the same technology to transfer audio signals.When moving through the internet, audio signals are converted into digital format which provides a much clearer signal than other telephones for long distance calls.

The sound quality is seen to be better than regular telephones, as the sound from the sender is first converted into digital signals over the internet, instead of analog signals in normal telephones. These digital signals can carry additional features of a sound, like the crispness and the clarity of the sound, for a longer distance. This makes the experience on the VoIP phones better than regular phones, when making long distance calls. VoIP is being complemented by the recent advances in wireless technology. The best advance is the Wi-Fi that can help a user make wireless VoIP calls through Wi-Fi phones, instead of hooking up to computer to make and receive the VoIP calls, which can be tiresome.

Wi-Fi also offers a firewall for your phone which further ensures your security. Encryption devices are also available. These options are easily attainable and will reassure you that no one can get access to your private telephone calls.

If you are uncomfortable with using the software, you can opt for encryption devices, which can encrypt your conversations making them secure. Encryption devices that are compatible with your Wi-Fi device can also be found in the market, which can encrypt your Wi-Fi connection itself, preventing unauthorized access. Firewall is another option that you can consider, if you want to further secure your Wi-Fi connection. These are the best and easily available options that can secure your conversations over the Wi-Fi network. Prevention is better than cure. So, look for VoIP Wi-Fi phones that come with all the security and privacy features inbuilt. Though the price of these phones is obviously higher than a normal VoIP Wi-Fi phone, the benefits that come with these phones speak for the money that is spent. As said before, information is the key to success in any business. So, protection of the information must be your priority, to safeguard your business. Be safe. Be secure.

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