9 Tips for Better PBX Safety and Security

There are a variety of measures you can take tooften occurs.6. Wherever possible, limit the
insure that your PBX is safe from hackers.Listednumber of employees who are authorized to use
below are tips you can use right now to protectremote access. And if possible, change pass
your business.1. Take steps to secure yourcodes and authorization codes when an employee
authorization codes on a permanent basis. Remindpermanently leaves the company.7. NEVER
employees of the need to keep all access codestransfer a call outside your PBX if you are
secure and change them frequently.2. Contactunaware of the identity of the caller. Instruct
your equipment vendors and ask for any and allemployees that phone companies will never ask
information on the available security systems incustomers to be part of a "test" - no matter
place to detect toll fraud. They should also providehow official the caller may sound.8. Always be
information on monitoring services available to helpalert to possible PBX abuse signs. These could
you quickly detect unusual usage.3. Work closelyinclude repeated calls of short duration, sudden
with your PBX administrator to ensure that all ofincrease in 800 usage, or unexplained changes
the PBX security features available are in placeincoming, outgoing or especially after-hours calling
and are being implemented.4. Unless needed forpatterns.9. Consider out sourcing your telecom bills
routine business, block outgoing international calling,to a firm that will provide bill paying and audit
809 and 900 calling capabilities.5. Conduct regularservices on an ongoing monthly basis. You'll save
and routine auditing of your telecommunicationmoney across the board and catch toll fraud at
systems and bills, especially just after regularthe time it happens.Karen Thatcher is President
vacation months and holiday seasons. It is duringand CEO of TelCon Associates, Inc. a 32 year old
these times of year that PBX toll fraud mosttelecom audit and bill management firm.