Demystifying STIR/SHAKEN in PBX: Your Key to a Fraud-Free Phone System

 

Shark attacks. Alien invasions. Terrorist strikes. Hostage situations. Bomb blasts. Nuclear winter.

Let's be honest; all of us have dreaded one or more of these scenarios at some point in our lives. And when we think of these, we wish there was a James Bond-like hero who can save us from these threats.

But a majority of us are blissfully unaware of a supervillain that's so widely prevalent in the present age. The problem is that it's invisible. 

The seemingly innocuous threat comes in the guise of a regular phone call. When it's received, it can rob people of their identities, wipe out their life savings, and do a lot more damage than imagined.

The villain that we are talking about is robocall and caller ID spoofing. Both have become rampant in recent times and fraudsters employ these to deceive recipients into answering calls from seemingly trustworthy sources. 

The answer to the problem is a sophisticated technology known as STIR/SHAKEN (the acronym for Secure Telephone Identity Revisited/Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs) that’s saving thousands of people from malicious actors.

This article will demystify STIR/SHAKEN in PBX and explore how it can be the key to ensuring a fraud-free phone system.

 

Understanding STIR/SHAKEN

STIR/SHAKEN is a set of protocols and standards developed to combat caller ID spoofing and ensure the authenticity of phone calls.

STIR focuses on the origination of a call, working to verify the identity of the caller. It involves the use of digital signatures to confirm that the caller ID information has not been tampered with and that the call is genuinely coming from the asserted source.

SHAKEN, on the other hand, is concerned with call verification at the receiving end. It involves the use of certificates and cryptographic tokens to verify the authenticity of the caller ID information, providing end-to-end integrity for voice communications.

 

How STIR/SHAKEN protects your PBX system

STIR/SHAKEN protects your PBX system by the following ways:

 

1. Authentication of Caller ID

STIR/SHAKEN protocols authenticate the caller's identity by validating the digital signature associated with the call. This ensures that the caller ID information has not been manipulated and provides a high level of confidence in the legitimacy of the call.

 

2. Reducing Fraud and Scams

By implementing STIR/SHAKEN your PBX system creates a barrier against fraudsters attempting to manipulate caller ID information for malicious purposes. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of falling victim to phone scams.

 

3. Enhancing Caller Trust

STIR/SHAKEN not only protects your PBX system from fraud but also enhances the overall trustworthiness of your phone communications. This is particularly crucial for businesses that rely on telephone interactions for customer engagement and service delivery.

 

Implementing STIR/SHAKEN in your PBX system

Integrating STIR/SHAKEN into your PBX system involves working with your service provider and ensuring that your telecommunication infrastructure complies with these industry standards. As the telecom landscape evolves, regulatory bodies are increasingly endorsing the adoption of STIR/SHAKEN to bolster the security of phone systems.

 

All in all,

STIR/SHAKEN stands as a formidable ally in the fight against phone fraud. By adopting these protocols in your PBX system, you not only protect your business and users from potential scams but also contribute to the establishment of a more secure and trustworthy telecommunication ecosystem. 

As the industry continues to evolve, staying ahead of the curve with technologies like STIR/SHAKEN is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your phone system in an increasingly interconnected world. Embrace the future of secure telephony and say goodbye to the era of fraudulent phone calls.