Securing your conversations

Organisers at the Paris Air Show recently were initially scratching their heads at apparent glitches in telephone and communication coverage around the site. It transpired that some of the aerospace companies appearing at the show had set up devices designed to jam telephone signals around their exhibitions.

The show director was forced to write to exhibitors warning them that scrambling public networks was a criminal offence in France and demanding that the jamming devices be switched off. It is believed the jamming may have been to prevent outsiders listening in on sensitive discussions. Whatever the reason the incident has raised important issues with regard to the security of telephone conversations.

The trouble is that whilst companies are focusing on data security the humble telephone call is often forgotten as a possible security risk. Just take any commuter train and you are surrounded by business conversations discussing everything from redundancies to contract details to policy. Even within the office calls which should be taken in a private room are often conducted in full hearing of other employees. Add in a hot summer with windows open and passers by also get the benefit.

On the other side of the coin, sometimes taping conversations is vital to ensure that proper procedures have been followed and that client instructions have been taken correctly. The ability to replay a conversation has saved many a business from having to pay large sums in compensation as well as facilitating training.

So, what is the solution? On the security front, the importance of telephone security should be written into every contract and employees reminded on a regular basis of the consequences of failure. This still relies in part on the willingness of the employees to be security conscious and enforcing a third party contract can prove almost impossible.

When it comes to taping conversations, the solution is far simpler. Switching to an internet based telephone system such as the Callagenix VoIP call and virtual switchboard package allows calls to be recorded and digitally stored as a matter of course. With search facilities and instant playback you can be secure in the knowledge that calls are available to listen to when you need them. The other benefits of VoIP systems such as cheaper calls, switchboard routing to order and international and local telephone numbers can transform a company’s communication policy overnight. If only all business challenges were so simple to solve.