The growing reliance of businesses on digital channels for communication, therefore, tend to increase the risks posed by cyber threats. Hackers have put their sights on stealing information, disrupting services, or facilitating widespread attacks using voice calls, video conferencing, SMS, and chat applications.
In its own right, CPaaS can be an immensely effective countermeasure against these threats. CPaaS providers integrate security elements for real-time, AI-enabled detection and protection through encrypted channels to safeguard business communications from cyberattacks. This article focuses on how CPaaS works as a protector for communication platforms against cyber threats.
Common Cyber Threats
To thwart communication platforms from menace, here are the commonly found cyber threats:
1. DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) Attacks
The hackers bombard communication servers with heavy traffic so as to overload the server and stop services. This ceases business operations and leads to downtimes and sales loss.
2. Social Engineering/ Phishing attacks
These are types of attacks where a cybercriminal sends deceiving messages that use fake identities to trick employees into disclosing sensitive information such as password or financial information.
3. VoIP Hacking and Toll Fraud
Toll fraud and unauthorized call rerouting are two schemes of telephone hacking that cost the business thousands of dollars on fictitious call charges through VoIP service.
4. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks
Hackers intercept real-time communications between users to steal the data, modify it, or eavesdrop on confidential conversations.
5. Malware and Ransomware
Malicious programs that infect communication servers with encryption hooks that deny data access and require ransom payments to regain access.
How CPaaS Advances Security for Communication Platforms?
1. End-to-End Encryption for Restricted Communication
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a service implemented by CPaaS providers to make voice, video, and messaging forms of data completely safe from unauthorized access. Only the sender and the intended recipient will be able to read the messages, thus giving little hope for hackers to tap into the data.
2. AI-Powered Threat Detection and Response
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) build into CPaaS platforms in detecting abnormal communication patterns with high possibility of confrontation. In this regard, a suspicious activity, for example, an unauthorized entry or a brute-force login attempts to access the system, will be flagged.
3. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to Validate Users
MFA is further supported by either one-time passwords (OTP) or biometric authentication verification layers to ensure that no one has access without confirming identification as a requirement of using the application.
4.DDoS Mitigation and Traffic Filtering
Thus, the CPaaS provider protects the infrastructure from DDoS attacks in the following ways:
· Traffic filtering before it reaches the servers.
· Load balancing incoming requests.
· Suspicious IP addresses are denied access to the communication network.
Best Practices for Securing your Communication Platforms via CPaaS
1. Choose a CPaaS Provider with Robust Security Features
It probably will have to choose a CPaaS provider that includes encryption, DDOS mitigation, intelligence on activity such as AI, and compliance security standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
2. Constantly Update Security Software and Protocols
Update VoIP services and communication APIs with authentication methods to close those holes that are easily known.
3. Train Employees on Cyber Effect as an Awareness Initiative
Most cyber threats can be attributed to human error. Therefore, to prepare the employee on the following, it is important to ensure that he/she undergoes security awareness training.
Conclusion
Cyber threats against communication platforms are becoming more sophisticated and common, thus making CPaaS security a necessity for businesses. By employing AI-based threat detection, encryption, DDoS mitigation, and multi-factor authentication, CPaaS solutions promise secure and reliable infrastructure for communications.
