Monday, January 23, 2012

What You Need To Do To Protect and Secure Your Virtual PBX

A common virtual PBX problem is safe guarding your data and voice communications in a system that utilizes portable devices and the Internet, which is prone to security attacks. The problems are not restricted to hardware failures; you'd have to handle malware, hacking along with a host of other concerns. Keeping your network and equipment protected and private starts with simple things you are able to do without much technical know-how.

Backup your data
The next thing to do is back up the critical files in your virtual PBX devices once you've set up virtual and physical locks. Keep DVD or CD copies and store them off-site, and make a copy of your hard disk. You can also avail of a web-based back-up service. Considering that you also have a web-based account from your virtual PBX provider, you can back up your files from this on-line account to another safe storage device. Make sure that you shred or erase old hard drives that aren’t required any longer.

Secure your connection, web servers and browsing
Your computer network may be infected with spyware that inserts malicious codes into programs or documents, and then develops itself. This includes Trojan horses which disguises themselves as something seemingly harmless, like a computer game. Spend for virus protection software or make certain that your virtual PBX service provider uses anti-virus software which is compatible with your telephone system to prevent viruses or worms. Also teach your staff never to open shady email attachments and provide personal information asked through email. Trojans are difficult to identify, so prevention is better than cure. Consider blocking users from downloading freeware, and secure your Operating system to limit access to only system files.

To protect your connection, don't forget to use WPA2, which is more secure than WEP. Invest in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and enable your firewall if you have remote workers. You must not only place a firewall on your workplace network, but also in the home networks of remote employees. Ask your phone service provider to help with the firewall configuration to ensure you don’t have problems with VoIP. Do not forget to update browsers, OS and firmware ASAP.

Lock and encrypt
Choose a public encryption tool for confidential data, establish network access rights, and select encrypted instant messaging. You need to also change passwords occasionally and create a policy of utilizing USB drives and other devices in addition to password-protecting your critical files, computers and smartphones. Literally lock up file servers, PCs and laptops you use with your virtual PBX if necessary. One factor you can do is cable lock your devices to their desks. Any server or PC that works as your information storage facility must also be in a room that could be locked up when not being used. You can stop people from doing something as simple as walking out along with your equipment in addition to stopping outsiders from installing tapping devices in your communication system.

To assist ensure your privacy, don't forget to subscribe to a phone service provider that recognizes the importance of securing your virtual PBX.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Cheaper Communication With Virtual PBX

Whether you recognize it or not, you’ve been a cloud PBX communication user for quite some time already. The cloud PBX is just the same as the internet. So when you share documents over the web, upload photos and videos, use VoIP applications for less expensive or free video calling experiences, and more, you basically use the cloud. Virtual PBX technology maximizes all these Internet features.

For example your business has subscribed to a virtual PBX phone service like Internet fax messaging. There’s actually not much demand for you to have all of the equipment and consumables (workplace materials) as you require with a traditional fax messaging. At this point, all you have to do is log on to your account and then send and receive fax directly from your computer. This implies that there will no longer be any need to print documents and wait for the fax machine to send out your message to another conventional fax receiver.

Furthermore, sending an Internet fax only demands a few clicks. This gives you or your staff to do something more profitable with time. Sending an Internet fax by means of a virtual PBX system can considerably minimize your operating expenditures-both for consumables and also the time needed to send messages. In similar method, a virtual PBX system would also get messages despite having nobody actually manning the office. You can still get fax messages and then simply access these later over the cloud PBX system. Passwords and also other measures are of course available for the security of your documents and information.

In a very cost-efficient method, virtual PBX also allows you to have innovative way of getting in touch with your staff, clients and suppliers. There are certain cloud-based phone system providers that provide several plans when it comes to calling, faxing and voice messaging. While there are lots of virtual PBX providers, you must still choose the functions that supply you with more communication capabilities but at lesser costs.

For instance, you’d have to have a phone system subscription that would allow you to make thousands, if not unlimited, minutes of calls for local as well as 800 phone numbers in case your company is telemarketing-based. Additionally, if your enterprise relies on regular exchange of documents, getting an Internet faxing package that would provide you with the opportunity to send hundreds or thousands of pages per month could be best. Not to mention, if your company has a local workplace but is demanding you to be everywhere every once in awhile, then a good voicemail service where you can be contacted anytime is the one you must look for.

Your virtual PBX isn't just an answering system; it's entwined with your entire company operation. Cloud-based phone services are far more than just an in thing. Soon, virtual PBX phone service will turn into a need for every enterprise.