VoIP is voice, voice is bits, and, like any good techie would know, bits can be manipulated. Statistics have proven that a good percentage of malicious attacks are instigated internally within the network. Because voice and data, both sit on the same network, the chances of a potential threat are greatly increased.

From eavesdropping conversations using a software tool like Cain and Abel to trace and playback real time transport protocol (RTP) streams, to intercepting bank account PINs on an IVR, to stealing your identity, to using compromised servers for a denial of service (DoS) attack, the devious VoIP thugs could get their jollies by poking an unencrypted network by any of the several means.Killing default passwords, installing a proper call accounting system and using some of the best VoIP security tools can shield your network from such threats to a large extent.

"Practice safe VoIP," is Dan York's appeal to the new entrants in the digital telephony landscape. In a spicy, fictional anecdote, CISSP's Director of Emerging Communication Technology cleverly reveals the possible security vulnerabilities VoIP networks are amenable to. Like all happy tales, in the end, the bad guys lose; VoIP security tools are to the rescue. But in real life, Dan warns, the potential threats are only increasing.