5 Ways to Save Money With VoIP

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shutterstock_242227783Old-fashioned private branch exchange (PBX) systems are being replaced by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services in many businesses. VoIP has a number of benefits, not the least of which is that it can save a company money. The top five ways VoIP saves money are:

  • low-cost installation and replacement,
  • lack of replacement parts,
  • free premium features,
  • affordable company phone numbers, and
  • reduction in IT costs.

Installation and Replacement

Legacy phone systems can become quite expensive to install or replace due to the hardware they require. In contrast, there are some VoIP systems that require nothing more than a headset and software. For businesses that already have a legacy system but are looking to switch, some VoIP providers can even adapt and use the existing infrastructure.

Replacement Parts

VoIP’s lack of reliance on hardware also means that it doesn’t need as many replacement parts as a legacy phone system, which can break down due to age. With technology constantly evolving and traditional PBX losing popularity, businesses may find that replacement parts for a legacy system become harder to find and more expensive to purchase as the years pass. An IP system, on the other hand, has few components that may break in the first place, and anything that does need to be replaced can easily be found.

Premium Features

Legacy systems often add extra charges for necessary features like long distance calls, call forwarding, and voicemail. With VoIP, many of these features are already included in the base software. Because the internet connects in the same way both locally and internationally, this can be especially beneficial for businesses that often make long distance calls.

Company Numbers

Being able to contact core employees quickly can help a business succeed, but many employees prefer to keep their personal numbers private. Because VoIP numbers can connect directly to an employee’s phone, a business can reach employees without requiring their personal numbers. With the recent FCC ruling that gives VoIP providers the same access to numbers as telecom providers, businesses will no longer have to deal with third parties in order to contact essential employees quickly.

IT Cost Reduction

An increase in technology often means growth of the IT department, but a major benefit of VoIP is that it doesn’t require multiple professionals to function. With VoIP, the professional who fixes the phones also fixes any network issues because they’re both internet-based.

While switching over to VoIP may require an adjustment period, these five benefits make it cost-efficient for most companies. Businesses will reduce IT costs, keep in contact with core employees, have free access to necessary features, and save money on both installation and replacement costs.

Security Breaches: How DLP and DAM Help Keep Critical Data Secure

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shutterstock_147262505With the current focus on detection and malware, many companies may be overlooking core data security as a front-line defense. While it’s important to prevent intrusion through detection tools, a safer and more balanced approach to security is to also focus on complementary protection solutions Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Data Activity Monitoring (DAM).

Data Loss Prevention

DLP focuses on the effect of end users on security by ensuring that users cannot send critical data outside of the network. When DLP was becoming popular in 2009, many in the security industry thought it would be a single-step solution to securing data. However, it became apparent that DLP was not enough on its own and that it should be combined with DAM.

 

Data Activity Monitoring

While similar to DLP, DAM focuses on data that is moving through the system. This can include end users but also encompasses privileged users, access, applications, and usage. More importantly, DAM monitors and sends out alerts for suspicious activity and blocks this activity and/or the users responsible for it, halting any unauthorized access.

 
Using Both Technologies

Businesses will have better data security from the inside out by using both solutions as a complement to each other. This is especially important as current technology trends are moving more and more towards the use of the cloud, mobile data, and a mobile workforce. Because many DLP solutions haven’t improved at the same rate as these trends, DAM should be used concurrently to allow real-time monitoring of sensitive data all over the system and network.

Keeping up With the Trends

Technology is constantly growing and evolving on both sides of the security fence. A business should ensure that its security solution is current with the latest security techniques and compatible with DAM. When looking for DAM software, businesses should consider the following questions:

  • Is the DAM up to date with the latest trends?
  • Can it work in real time?
  • Can it be easily deployed?

DLP and DAM are best used together to provide a broader area of protection through the use of monitoring, alerts, and the ability to block suspicious users or activities. By knowing and keeping up with current trends and focusing on the security of core data, businesses will ensure their data is kept safe.