If your organization has poor network security, you could end up a victim of a cyberattack which could cost your organization hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to retrieve or to repair your network.
Additionally, if you have a poor-performing phone service, many of your employees will be less productive and efficient. Some examples that cause this inefficiency and lack of productivity are call drops or breakups with other employees or customers.
Coeo knows how important network security and a reliable phone service is to an organization. We want you to know the reasons why your organization should consider an SBC so you can determine if it is the right solution for your organization.
By the end of this article, you will know what an SBC is, the reasons to use an SBC, and whether it is the right fit for your organization.
What is an SBC?
A Session Border Controller (SBC) is a dedicated software or hardware device that controls how phone calls are initiated, conducted, and terminated on a voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) network. It helps turn your traditional PBX into a cloud-based PBX.
An SBC acts as a router between a network and a carrier service ensuring that all calls are secure and have the highest quality of service possible.
An SBC can also serve as a purpose-built firewall specifically for a voice network that can identify incoming threats and remove and block them from entering your network.
SBCs are typically deployed at the edge of the network as well as at the demarcation points between users and other service providers. SBCs are typically used to support and secure SIP infrastructures.
With modern SBCs, the signaling and media components operate as individual elements integrated into the network. This allows each function to be located in its ideal physical and logical layer.
Reasons to use an SBC
There are many reasons why your organization can use SBCs within your network. Some of the reasons your organization can use an SBC include:
● Security
One of the main reasons an SBC is used is for security purposes. SBCs secure voice networks specifically; something that few organizations think about when it comes to network security.
Voice networks are neglected the most when it comes to network security. Because of this, cyberattacks such as toll fraud have adversely affected many organizations.
Toll fraud occurs when a cybercriminal gains access to your phone system to make artificially generated calls.
These calls are then purposely made to expensive rate numbers and a part of the revenue is given to the cybercriminal. Organizations spent over $9 billion in 2021 due to toll fraud losses.
An SBC serves as a purpose-built firewall specifically for voice, protecting your network from cyber-attacks such as toll fraud.
● Enables SIP Trunking
Another reason to use an SBC is that it enables your organization to utilize SIP Trunking.
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is an application layer protocol that allows you to run your current traditional phone system over the internet rather than a traditional phone line.
Trunking serves as the backbone of phone lines used by many employees which connect to a telephone network. The main objective of SIP Trunking is to bring a standard PBX phone system to the cloud.
An SBC provides your phone system with the connection that it needs to make calls over the internet. SBCs also provide the security and interoperability your phone system needs to connect a SIP Trunk to your traditional phone system.
● Easy to route calls
If your organization has multiple phones integrated into its network, it can be difficult to route calls.
However, SBCs have an intelligent routing feature that allows the SBC to route calls automatically without requiring employees to route them manually.
Is an SBC a good fit for your organization?
Now you know what an SBC is and the reasons it may benefit your organization. However, not every organization has the same needs and may utilize their phone technology differently.
Therefore, it’s important to understand your specific needs to determine if SBCs are a good fit to accomplish your objectives.
Additionally, if you do not currently have the appropriate phone solution, using an SBC paired with a SIP Trunking solution may further enhance your organization’s call quality.
For example, if your organization is experiencing call breakups or call drops with customers and employees, you may benefit from combining SBCs and a SIP Trunking solution.
If your organization utilizes a cloud-based phone system without an SBC or other form of security, you may have vulnerabilities in your network that can be exposed by malicious actors resulting in cyberattacks such as toll fraud.
As a result, an SBC may be a good fit for your organization so you can avoid being a victim of a cyberattack such as a toll fraud attack.
Next steps to integrating an SBC into your network
Now you know what an SBC is, the reasons to use an SBC, and whether an SBC is a good fit for your organization. This information will help you determine if an SBC will benefit your organization.
No one wants to have a poor-performing phone service or be a victim of a cyberattack that could cost your organization hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Integrating an SBC or several SBCs into your network can help your organization avoid these problems and improve productivity and efficiency as a result.
Coeo has helped thousands of customers improve their network security and their phone service. We want to make sure you understand the benefits of an SBC so you can determine if an SBC is a good fit for your organization.
If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about SBCs or ask any questions you may have you can schedule an appointment.
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