We know that cybercriminals have become more sophisticated than ever, and IP network traffic continues to be a target. Whether it is a man-in-the-middle attack, data interception, or spoofing, organizations around the world face such dreadful threats daily. Industries dealing with sensitive user data, such as finance, healthcare, and telecoms, are always in danger of serious data loss, financial damage, and reputational harm. 

IPsec plays a critical role in providing end-to-end protection for modern networks, ensuring confidentiality and tamperproofness of data as it moves across networks. 

To fully understand its role, we need to take a closer look at IPsec- how it works, why it’s essential for securing modern networks, and how it integrates with tools like Session Border Controllers (SBCs) to deliver comprehensive network-layer protection.

What is IPsec?

IP stands for Internet Protocol Security, a suite of protocols designed to secure IP communications. This suite of protocols performs authentication and encryption of each IP packet within a data stream. While many security mechanisms operate at the application or transport layer, IPsec functions at the Layer 3, i.e., Network Layer of the OSI model. This is why IPsec can protect all types of IP traffic, regardless of the application or service generating it. 

To precisely define the role of IPsec in cybersecurity, let’s take a look at the 3 major objectives it addresses:

Confidentiality 

It restricts access to information from unauthorized parties using robust encryption algorithms. This means data stays encrypted and unreadable to outsiders

Integrity 

It makes sure that data remains unaltered during transmission, typically enforced through detection mechanisms. This means that there are no edits or interference when data is sent. 

Authentication 

It checks and verifies the identities of the users or the system before exchanging data. This means one could be assured exactly who they are communicating with. 

Protocols Used in IPsec

Now let’s get to the most interesting and useful part of IPsec – the suite of protocols that work together to provide layered security for IP communications. 

Authentication Header or AH

As the name suggests, this protocol provides data integrity and authentication of the IP data packet. With this, it ensures that the data is not altered during the transmission. However, AH does not provide encryption, which means the payload in the data packet is still visible. The usefulness of AH comes in scenarios where encryption is not required but authenticity and integrity are crucial. 

Encapsulating Security Payload or ESP

This protocol offers encryption, integrity, and authentication of the IP data packet. This is the reason why it is the most widely used component of IPsec. However, depending upon the configuration, ESP can be used with or without encryption. It is preferred in scenarios where there is a need to secure sensitive data over public networks. 

Internet Key Exchange or IKE

The negotiation and management of security associations between endpoints is performed by this protocol. It does so by dynamically establishing shared encryption keys and managing key lifecycles. 

How IPSec Works?

Establishing a Secure Relationship (Security Association)

Before any secure communication begins, IPsec needs to create a trusted channel between the two devices involved. This process is known as a Security Association (SA). To do this, IPsec uses the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocol, which handles the negotiation of security parameters. These include which encryption and hashing algorithms to use, how long the keys will last, and how keys will be exchanged safely.

Choosing the Right Mode of Operation

Once the secure channel is set up, IPsec needs to decide how the data will be protected during transmission. It does this using two modes: Transport Mode and Tunnel Mode.

• In Transport Mode, only the payload (the actual content of the message) is encrypted, while the original IP header remains intact. This mode is ideal for end-to-end communication between two devices, such as a remote employee’s laptop accessing a corporate server.

• In contrast, Tunnel Mode encrypts the entire original IP packet, including the header, and then wraps it inside a new packet with a fresh IP header. This mode is most commonly used in VPNs or between gateways, like firewalls or routers, because it offers full-packet protection.

Applying Encryption and Authentication Protocols

With the mode selected, IPsec then applies specific protocols to secure the data: ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) and/or AH (Authentication Header). ESP is more commonly used because it provides full confidentiality (encryption), integrity, and authentication. This means the message content is kept private, cannot be altered without detection, and comes from a verified source.

AH, on the other hand, offers only integrity and authentication, and it doesn’t encrypt the data, so it’s mainly useful when you want to verify trust but still allow visibility of the packet content. In most real-world use cases, such as sending OTPs or financial reports between secure servers, ESP is the preferred choice due to its robust protection.

Encrypting and Sending the Packet

Once everything is in place, the actual transmission process begins. The sender encrypts the IP packet according to the parameters defined in the Security Association. Depending on the chosen protocol and mode, the encrypted packet is either partially or fully sealed and then transmitted across the network. Upon reaching the destination, the receiver decrypts the packet, checks its integrity, and verifies its authenticity using the same agreed-upon parameters.

Only if the packet passes all these checks will it be accepted and passed on to the application (like a banking app or VoIP system). If anything seems off, like a tampered hash or unknown encryption, it’s discarded, ensuring that only secure and verified communication is allowed.

Key Refresh and Re-Negotiation

Security doesn’t stop after the initial exchange. Over time, the keys and parameters used to encrypt and authenticate messages can become vulnerable. To counter this, IPsec periodically refreshes the encryption keys and renegotiates Security Associations using IKE. This ensures that even if a key were to be compromised, the exposure is limited to a small window.

Benefits of Using IPsec in Cybersecurity

What exactly makes IPsec so valuable in cybersecurity? Let’s answer this commonly asked question in detail 

End-to-End Encryption

The most powerful feature of IPsec is its ability to encrypt IP packets at the network layer, i.e., data is protected as it transits from one point to the other. So even if a hacker intercepts the traffic, they won’t be able to peek inside. 

Strong Authentication & Data Integrity 

Besides encryption, another strong feature of IPsec is its authentication and integrity capabilities. This means it verifies who the data is being sent to and also ensures that the data hasn’t been altered mid-transit. 

Flexible Modes for Different Use Cases

As we already learnt at the beginning of this post that IPsec works in two modes – transport mode and tunnel mode. This means it’s not a one-size-fits-all tool and has the flexibility to adapt to the needs of the users. 

Works with Both IPv4 and IPv6

And here’s the best part – IPsec is future-ready as well. By supporting both legacy and next-generation internet protocols, it ensures your security framework doesn’t fall behind.

Reduced Risk of Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks

IPsec makes MITM attacks almost impossible to happen by verifying both ends of the communication as well as encrypting the entire session. This means attackers cannot intercept, inject, or manipulate traffic in real-time. 

Secure Remote Access 

Remote teams can work from anywhere, even from untrusted networks like public WiFi in restaurants. However, IPsec ensures that hackers lurking on such public networks are not able to intercept. 

Interoperability with Existing Systems

IPsec integrates seamlessly with a company’s existing tech stack because it is vendor-neutral and widely supported. Firewalls, routers, VPNs, and operating systems from different vendors typically support IPsec. 

Meets Compliance & Regulatory Requirements

IPsec enables you to put a checkmark when it comes to meeting global security standards like HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, and ISO/IEC 27001.

Common Use Cases of IPsec

To understand the relevance of IPsec across various industries, let’s move ahead to its key use cases, i.e., the variety of network security scenarios where it can be used

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

This is by far the most well-known use case for IPsec. VPNs are commonly used to enable secure communication over untrusted networks by creating encrypted tunnels. Consider a scenario where a remote employee uses a VPN client on his laptop to connect with his company’s internal network. The VPN application makes use of IPsec to encrypt the data being transmitted between the employee’s laptop and the company’s server. With this, it is ensured that the company’s confidential information, like documents, emails, and VoIP calls, remains tamper-proof. 

Site-to-Site VPN for Branch Connectivity

Big organizations like MNCs have multiple branches at various geographical locations. IPsec helps such organizations in enabling secure communication between their branches over the internet without requiring private leased lines. 

For example, a company with a head office in Delhi and branch offices in Bengaluru and Mumbai connects all its offices to the head office using site-to-site VPNs. IPsec tunnel mode is configured on the routers/firewalls at each office. When traffic from the Mumbai office LAN is destined for the Bengaluru office LAN, the Mumbai router encrypts the entire IP packet, encapsulates it in a new IP header, and sends it over the internet. The Bengaluru router receives this encrypted packet, decrypts it, and forwards it to the intended host on its local LAN.

Remote Access for Employees

Hybrid working is the new corporate norm, which means employees need secure access to corporate resources even when they work from unsecured networks. For instance, a remote IT consultant needs to debug a cloud server of the company. The company sets up an IPsec VPN to provide him with remote access to internal tools hosted on the company’s network, ensuring encryption and authentication of the connection. 

Secure Communication Between Data Centers

Several enterprises across the globe run multiple data centers. This means they need secure communication for database backup, replication, and inter-service communication. For example, a SaaS company maintains two cloud regions in different geographical locations. They leverage IPsec tunnels to secure data replication, syncing, and failover traffic between the two locations. 

Healthcare Data Protection

Healthcare facilities, including hospitals and clinics, often transmit sensitive Electronic Health Records (EHR) between locations, insurance providers, and labs. For instance, the clinic shares patient data with a diagnostic lab. Both parties use IPsec to secure communication and comply with medical data privacy standards such as HIPAA regulations.

Secure Financial Transactions

Secure communication is the foundation of the successful operation of any bank and financial institution. For instance, a bank makes use of IPsec to provide security while connecting its core transaction processing system with a government tax platform or an international payment gateway.

Government and Military Use

Security of data is an absolute necessity when it comes to defense, intelligence, and government sectors. They use IPsec to secure classified or confidential communication across agencies and international borders. This helps in ensuring that strategic data and commands remain confidential and unaltered.

IPSec and SBC: Comprehensive Security for Real-Time Communications

In VoIP and other real-time communications, Session Border Controllers (SBCs) play the role of the security personnel stationed at the entrance; they keep watch, sift through, and regulate all traffic entering and leaving your VoIP network. But what if this traffic must traverse insecure or public networks?

SBCs already provide application-layer security through protocols such as TLS for SIP signaling and SRTP for media stream encryption. These are great when both endpoints support them. But what happens if they don’t? Or when data is traversing an untrusted network where greater protection is required?

That’s where IPsec comes in as a strong supplement, offering network-layer security that protects everything below the app layer.

How SBCs Employ IPsec in Real-World Situations

Here are a few examples of real-world applications:

1. Secure SIP Trunking Over Public Internet

A telecommunication operator employs IPsec between the SBC of the telecommunication operator and an enterprise customer’s SBC to establish a secure tunnel across the public internet. This secure link prevents SIP signaling and RTP media traffic from being intercepted and manipulated.

Example: A bank employing a SIP trunk for customer support calls ensures that all voice information remains encrypted end-to-end through IPsec between the SBCs.

2. Hybrid Cloud Deployments

In hybrid configurations where some of the SBC infrastructure is on-premises and the remainder is cloud-hosted, IPsec enables safe connectivity between these environments. It establishes an encrypted tunnel that protects against packet sniffing, spoofing, or man-in-the-middle attacks as traffic travels between domains.

Example: A medical provider with an on-premises SBC securely connects to a cloud-hosted UCaaS platform through IPsec tunnels, protecting patient information.

3. Inter-SBC Communication in Carrier Networks

Multilevel carriers typically have several SBCs installed in different regions. When such SBCs must communicate with one another, for media relay, SIP routing, or call transfer, IPsec can encrypt that interconnection and make the communication secure.

Example: A VoIP carrier directs international calls through SBCs in London and Singapore, and employs IPsec to encrypt the voice and signaling traffic traversing international internet links.

Why IPsec Is Essential in Today’s SBC Strategy

• Public Network Exposure: If your SBC is interacting with third-party SBCs or carrier networks over the internet, IPsec is non-negotiable for secure communication.
• Zero Trust Architecture: Even within your own WAN or data centers, implementing IPsec aligns with zero-trust principles, assuming nothing is safe by default.
• Fallback When TLS/SRTP Aren’t Available: IPsec ensures encryption happens at the network layer, even in cases where application-layer encryption isn’t an option.

The Bigger Picture: Application + Network Layer Security

Imagine SBC + IPsec as a system of locking. TLS/SRTP handles at the application level, and IPsec takes care to wrap the entire packet at the network level

Combined, they offer end-to-end protection, shielding against attacks such as packet sniffing, SIP spoofing, and VoIP eavesdropping, vital for applications such as finance, healthcare, and government.

Conclusion

Securing IP-based traffic is no longer optional; it’s essential. That’s where IPsec comes in as a powerful tool in the cybersecurity arsenal. With its ability to encrypt, authenticate, and safeguard data at the network layer, IPsec ensures that sensitive communications remain protected from eavesdropping, tampering, and unauthorized access.

For telecom operators, aggregators, and enterprises using Session Border Controllers (SBCs), IPsec adds an extra layer of defense. It works behind the scenes to secure SIP signaling, media streams, and inter-SBC connections, especially vital when dealing with public or hybrid networks.

Whether you’re managing VoIP infrastructure, deploying secure VPNs, or ensuring compliance in regulated sectors like finance or healthcare, IPsec plays a foundational role in building trust over the internet. Implementing it wisely, especially alongside technologies like SBCs, enables businesses to strike the perfect balance between performance, scalability, and robust security. To get expert consultation, register here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if an IPsec tunnel drops during a call?

The VoIP call may be interrupted unless there’s a failover mechanism or secondary link configured.

Does IPsec affect call quality?

IPsec introduces minimal latency and overhead, but modern hardware and optimized configurations keep the impact on voice quality negligible.

Is IPsec compliant with telecom regulations?

Yes. IPsec supports compliance with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS when used properly with SBCs.

What industries benefit most from SBC + IPsec?

Finance, healthcare, government, and contact centers that handle sensitive data and large volumes of VoIP calls.

Does IPsec provide end-to-end encryption?

Yes, when deployed correctly in transport or tunnel mode, IPsec offers full encryption from one endpoint to another.

Can IPsec be used for SIP trunking security?

Yes. IPsec is widely used to protect SIP trunks, especially when connecting an enterprise SBC to a carrier’s network over the Internet.

The post What is Internet Protocol Security (IPsec)? appeared first on Revesoft Blog.

What is a Session Border Controller?

A session border controller is a specialized device, either hardware or software, that sits at the border or edge of a VoIP network and governs all voice sessions to protect them from threats and attacks. Let’s consider a real-world scenario of a call center that connects hundreds to thousands of calls per day. To make sure those calls do not face drops or other quality issues and are not attacked by malicious actors, the call center implements an SBC. The SBC encrypts those calls, ensures that only legitimate traffic gets through, and ensures interoperability between systems from different vendors. 

In simple words, we can say that an SBC, in this case, acts as a first line of defense and an effective tool for smooth interconnection. 

Key Features to Look for in an SBC Vendor

Different SBC vendors offer session border controllers with a varying set of features; however, some key features are important to have. 

Check Security Capabilities

The primary role of deploying session border controllers within VoIP networks is to ensure security. This is the reason why you need to ensure the following points: 

• Does the SBC protect against SIP-based threats? It should be able to block spoofed calls, malformed SIP packets, and suspicious traffic before it causes harm. 

• Does the SBC support TLS, SRTP, and DoS/DDoS protection, along with fraud detection? While the TLS hides the call setup info from hackers, SRTP prevents the decoding of the data stream even if someone intercepts it. Additionally, DoS and DDoS protection are required to prevent flooding attacks that can overwhelm the VoIP service. Last but not least, the SBC should be able to detect abnormal call patterns using behavioral algorithms. 

Ensure Interoperability

The interoperability feature of SBCs ensures that different VoIP systems talk to each other seamlessly. For example, suppose a business is using a SIP trunk from carrier A, a hosted PBX from vendor B, and a softswitch from vendor C. In that case, these systems might face SIP header mismatches, codec negotiation issues, and NAT traversal problems. Here, an SBC works like a translator and resolves all these issues. 

Build for Future Expansion

A good SBC vendor should offer you the flexibility to pay for the capacity you need right now and upgrade when required. In other words, the SBC should scale with your business without requiring much effort from your side. Virtual SBCs like REVE allow you to scale up your capacity as much as needed with additional servers. 

Top SBC Vendors in 2025: Best Session Border Controllers

Now let’s learn about some leading SBC vendors, their strengths, and who they’re ideal for. 

REVE Session Border Controller (REVE SBC)

REVE Session Border Controller is a trusted choice for modern IP businesses looking to secure communications, optimize operations, and deliver high-quality voice traffic. The solution highlights a distributed architecture ensuring network resilience and supports real-time billing with intelligent routing. 

Key Highlights

• Massive scalability with the capacity to handle up to 70,000 concurrent calls from a single server   
• Offers both Access SBC (A-SBC) and Interconnect SBC (I-SBC) to meet your specific business needs.  
• Integrated real-time billing with a mobile-responsive interface. 
• Effectively handles heavy loads and defends against DoS attacks.

Ideal for

It is an ideal choice for VoIP service providers, telecom carriers & operators, hosted UC & cloud PBX providers, large enterprises, and wholesale voice businesses.

Ribbon SBC

This one is also a carrier-grade SBC with high reliability and scalable deployment options. Ribbon offers a wide range of SBC models, out of which SBC SWe (software) and SBC 5400 (hardware) are quite popular. 

Key Highlights

• Strongly embraced virtualization and cloud deployments with its SBC Software Edition (SBC SWe) and SBC Cloud Native Edition (SBC CNe) 
• Built for high availability and robust performance, even under heavy loads or attacks
• Ribbon’s Application Management Platform (RAMP) provides a centralized solution for managing multiple Ribbon SBCs

Ideal For

Large ISPs or enterprises seeking robust security, rich SIP interoperability, and proven performance can opt for this one. 

Audio Codes

AudioCodes is particularly well-regarded for its Session Border Controllers (SBCs), offering both virtualized (SBC SWe) and cloud-native (SBC CNe) versions. Their popular SBC models include Mediant 800, Mediant VE, and Cloud Edition. 

Key Highlights

AudioCodes has a long-standing and deep partnership with Microsoft, providing certified solutions for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing and Operator Connect. 

Ideal For

They offer tailored solutions ranging from small office deployments to large-scale carrier networks. 

Oracle

Oracle is another major player in the telecom software and hardware space. Their Session Border Controllers are a core part of their product portfolio, and their popular products include Oracle SBC and Enterprise Communications Broker. 

Key Highlights

• Oracle offers both purpose-built hardware appliances and virtualized/cloud-native software editions (VNF – Virtual Network Function). 
• Like Ribbon and AudioCodes, Oracle SBCs are certified for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing and other leading UCaaS and CCaaS platforms 

Ideal For

If you are a service provider looking to manage complex SIP routing and billing policies, then Oracle could be an option you can explore. 

Cisco

A giant in the networking and telecom space, Cisco offers an SBC solution with the name CUBE, i.e., Cisco Unified Border Element. It’s software that runs on Cisco’s widely deployed Integrated Services Routers (ISRs) and Aggregation Services Routers (ASRs), as well as virtual platforms. CUBE is a very popular choice for enterprises implementing Microsoft Teams Direct Routing. 

Key Highlights

• Can be deployed on Cisco ISR/ASR routers (hardware-based) or as a virtual CUBE in cloud/data center environments.

• Seamless integration with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and third-party platforms.

Ideal For

It is perfect for enterprises using Cisco UC (CUCM), organizations migrating from PSTN to SIP, Multinational corporations, and various Cisco-centric environments.

TelcoBridges

TelcoBridges heavily emphasizes software-only SBCs. This means their solutions can run on standard servers, in virtualized environments, or on public clouds, offering great flexibility. 

Key Highlights

• Their ProSBC is designed for carrier-grade performance, handling a high volume of concurrent calls (up to 60,000 sessions on a single server, with more via scaling. 
• TelcoBridges offers “FreeSBC,” which is essentially a free version of their ProSBC software, typically for smaller deployments. 

Ideal For

This can be a good choice for smaller to mid-sized service providers, wholesale carriers, and enterprises. 

InGate Systems

With a strong focus on enabling secure and reliable SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) communications for businesses, Ingate Systems has a long history in the IP communications and security space. 

Key Highlights

• Their Enterprise Session Border Controllers (E-SBCs) are branded as SIParator®. They offer their SIParator products as both hardware appliances and software versions that can be deployed on customers’ own hardware or virtual machines. 
• A key aspect of Ingate’s approach is the tight integration of SBC functionality with traditional firewall/router capabilities. Their SIParator devices often act as both a firewall and an SBC. 

Ideal For

It’s a useful option for enterprises with Firewalls/NAT devices, small to mid-sized businesses, hosted PBX & UCaaS providers, ITSPs, and SIP trunking providers.

Sansay

Sansay specializes in providing high-performance, software-based Session Border Controllers (SBCs) serving a global base of hundreds of service providers, including wholesale, prepaid, hosted business, residential, and wireless operators.

Key Highlights

• Sansay’s flagship product, the VSXi Session Controller, is built from the ground up as a software-only solution designed to run on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Intel-based servers and Linux operating systems.  
• They also have offerings like the WebSBC that specifically address the challenges of connecting WebRTC applications to traditional SIP networks.

Ideal For 

If you’re offering hosted VoIP or SIP trunking and want rich APIs and real-time CDR access, then Sansay is a great choice. 

Metaswitch

Another significant player, particularly known for its cloud-native communications software solutions for service providers. In July 2020, Microsoft acquired Metaswitch to bolster its Azure for Operators strategy. As of March 4, 2025, Alianza, a leading cloud communications platform for service providers, completed its acquisition of Metaswitch from Microsoft.

Key Highlights 

• Designed from the ground up for NFV and cloud environments – ideal for deployment on private, public, or hybrid clouds.
• Supports deployment on VMs, containers (e.g., Kubernetes), and bare metal, making it future-proof and DevOps-friendly.

Ideal For

Tier-1 and Tier-2 Telecom Operators, VoIP & Mobile Network Operators, Carriers Transitioning to 5G/IMS

Conclusion

There are so many options available in the market, and some of the popular ones are listed above in this post. While every vendor comes with its own technical specifications and claims to be the best, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. But here’s the catch: just understand your own requirements first, then the process of choosing the right SBC vendor will become a lot simpler. 

Whether you’re a global telecom operator needing bulletproof scalability or a growing ITSP looking for cost-effective control, there’s a vendor built precisely for that. The smartest approach is not to chase the ongoing trends or go with the popular names. Match the capabilities of the SBC to your specific goals, your technical requirements, and your customer expectations. 

It is always a good idea to assess real-world use cases, ask for free demos or trials for a certain period, and engage with their support teams to resolve all the queries you have. Remember, voice communication is evolving at a skyrocketing speed. You need to choose a partner and not just a product to achieve success in today’s increasingly digital voice economy. 

Secure Your VoIP Network with REVE SBC : Try It Today!

Whether you’re managing inter-carrier traffic, deploying hosted PBX services, or operating a global voice platform, REVE SBC provides the flexibility and reliability you need. It combines carrier-grade features with user-friendly management and affordable licensing. Here are some key highlights again:

• Built to manage high call volumes
• Ensures complete control over SIP traffic
• Offers real-time call monitoring
• Supports SIP normalization and NAT traversal
• Performs media handling and intelligent call routing
• Advanced security against fraud and DDoS attacks
• Seamless interconnection with diverse VoIP systems
• Ready to grow without compromising quality or security

REVE SBC stands out as an affordable SBC for telecom and also a reliable and feature-rich choice for VoIP service providers, carriers, and enterprises.

Book a free demo or request a trial today to see how REVE SBC can safeguard your network and boost voice performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are hardware and virtual SBCs different?

As the term suggests, hardware SBCs are physical appliances that are installed within the premises of a business. Typically, large enterprises or telecom carriers prefer hardware SBCs so that they get full control over their infrastructure. 

Virtual SBCs, on the other hand, run on virtual machines or in cloud environments. These are also called cloud SBCs or software-based SBCs. When compared with hardware SBCs, virtual SBCs offer more flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, which is suitable for service providers and modern VoIP setups. 

Do SBCs work towards improving call quality?

While the primary role of SBCs is to provide security and interoperability, they also work towards improving call quality in various significant ways. This includes prioritization of voice traffic, bandwidth management, CAC i.e. Call Admission Control, jitter buffer management, codec transcoding, and call rerouting. 

Are cloud SBCs secure?

Yes, reliable cloud SBC vendors implement robust security features like behavior-based alerts, IP whitelist/blacklist, 2FA, and hang-call detection to minimize risks and prevent unnecessary billing. 

Which SBC comes with an integrated billing system?

REVE SBC is one of the few that comes with an integrated VoIP billing system. It allows service providers to manage billing, call routing, and session control- all from a single platform. 

Are SBCs effective in preventing telecom fraud?

Absolutely, SBCs are a frontline defense against telecom fraud. With features like IP whitelisting, rate limiting, and real-time call monitoring, SBCs efficiently detect and block abnormal call patterns, unauthorized access, and toll fraud attempts. This helps prevent revenue loss and protects both carriers and end-users. 

The post Top SBC Vendors in 2025: The Ultimate Comparison Guide appeared first on Revesoft Blog.

In this detailed blog, we will discuss Softswitch vs SBC and how you can decide which is the right one for you. We will help you understand their differences and choose the right solution for your specific business needs. But before that, let’s understand what these two software systems are.

What is a Softswitch?

A Softswitch is a central software in a VoIP network, which connects the calling party with the called party. In a VoIP network, Softswitch provides call control intelligence so that call routing, signaling, and terminating sessions are executed. A software-based solution, Softswitch is also known as Class 5 Softswitch in the industry. 

Short for “Software Switch”, these are designed to route and manage calls across networks. So when a caller dials a number, the softswitch receives the signaling information, identifies the best route for the call by considering various factors, including cost, destination, and network availability. It then connects the two parties.

What is a Session Border Controller?

A Session Border Controller, which is also known as a Class 4 Switch, is software that secures communication networks, providing interworking between incompatible signaling messages and media flows. The main role of a Session Border Controller is to provide secure, scalable IP-to-IP connections, message interworking, and transcoding.

The main areas where an SBC works include inspecting and protecting the flow of incoming and outgoing calls, making sure nothing harmful gets through. SBCs secure and manage SIP-based VoIP calls at the edge of the networks, signifying the term ‘border’ in its name. 

Often, Session Border Controllers are confused with Firewalls, which are another important element of VoIP networks, but they serve very different purposes. A Firewall protects an IT network by filtering traffic based on IP addresses, ports, and protocols. It protects against unauthorized access and general network threats like intrusion attempts.

However, firewalls are not designed to handle the complexities of SIP signaling and media streams in VoIP communication. In other words, we can say that firewalls lack the intelligence to understand or manage SIP traffic, and this is where an SBC steps in. An SBC works by understanding, monitoring, and controlling VoIP sessions in real time, and not just permits or denies traffic like a firewall.

Softswitch vs SBC: Key Differences

• Talking about  Softswitch vs SBC, the first difference comes in terms of security and quality of service functions. While the main role of an SBC is to ensure security and reliability, a Softswitch works on routing and call control.

• SBCs are primarily used in the wholesale communication business, whereas a softswitch is ideal for a complete retail environment.

• While a Softswitch is used to offer day-to-day VoIP calling services by communication providers with reseller management options, an SBC has a broader operation. It has integrated systems of routing, billing, switching, and transcoding. The work of an SBC is to streamline VoIP carriers’ business operations.

• A Softswitch, along with primary routing, comes with features like call forwarding, conference calls, voice mail, and PBX features. SBC is used by VoIP carriers to route and monitor a large volume of VoIP voice traffic over long distances.

Let’s take a glance at the main differences between softswitches and SBCs through the table below: 

Both Softswitch and SBCs are popular among telecommunications companies and VoIP Providers. SBC also plays an important role in the enterprise network to overcome the complex security, interoperability, and service quality challenges during the implementation of unified communication, VoIP, and mobility initiatives. SBCs, which are used in enterprise networks, are popularly known as enterprise SBCs.

Use Cases for Softswitch and SBCs

Softswitch Use Cases

1. Wholesale VoIP

Softswitches are often used by large carriers to route a vast amount of traffic (international and long-distance) to deliver their services. 

2. Residential/Business VoIP

VoIP service providers delivering voice services to end users and businesses leverage softswitches. 

3. Hosted PBX Services

Providers offering cloud-based phone systems to businesses rely on softswitches to manage multiple virtual PBXs. 

Session Border Controller Use Cases

1. Upgrading

Businesses switching to SIP trunking are replacing their traditional phone lines with internet-based SIP trunks, which are exposed to the public internet and are vulnerable to threats like DDoS attacks, Toll Fraud, Call Spoofing, and unauthorized access attempts. These businesses will deploy SBCs to have a security gateway between their SIP trunks and their internal VoIP infrastructure, like an IP-PBX. 

2. Interworking 

Companies using UCaaS solutions often need to connect their calls to the traditional phone network, i.e., PSTN. However, different systems usually don’t speak the same language, and when it comes to SIP, this can result in issues like failed calls, no audio during calls, voicemails not working, etc. To resolve this, SBCs are deployed as they translate SIP messages so that systems can understand each other

Benefits of Using SBCs & Softswitches Together

When deployed together, softswitches and SBCs make an extremely powerful, reliable, and secure VoIP infrastructure. While the softswitch plays the role of a decision maker, the SBC protects the system and ensures seamless communication. 

Here’s more about this winning combination: 

• End-to-End Call Control 

In a combined setup, the softswitch handles call setup, routing, voicemail, call forwarding, billing, etc., and the SBC inspects and manages traffic that flows out of the network, making sure that no bad actors get in. 

• Enhanced Call Quality and Experience 

As a call initiates, the softswitch leverages various algorithms and performance metrics to make smart routing decisions. Additionally, the SBC monitors call quality issues like jitter, latency, and packet loss, and reroutes traffic dynamically if voice quality drops

• Stronger Security Posture 

Softswitches enforce call permissions, fraud detection, and usage thresholds, and maintain logs for billing and audits. SBCs block DDoS attacks, spoofed SIP messages, toll fraud attempts, and malformed packets. 

All in all, the Softswitch and SBC duo is a smart and secure investment in VoIP communication, whether you are a telco, UCaaS vendor, or enterprise

Softswitch vs SBC: Choosing the Right Solution 

We have learned that both softswitches and SBCs play an important role in VoIP networks, then how do you decide which one is right for you? You’ll get the answer when you are clear about the following points. 

VoIP Wholesalers and Carriers

Providers that manage voice traffic at scale should use both a softswitch and an SBC. While a Class 4 softswitch will help in routing a large volume of calls between carriers, a Class 5 softswitch will secure all those SIP connections, normalize signaling between different networks, and ensure voice quality. So if you are you’re a carrier, wholesale VoIP provider, or a telecom company dealing with high-volume traffic, then use both. 

Enterprises Using SIP Trunks

Medium to large enterprises that connect their IP-PBX or unified communications system to the outside world using SIP trunks need an SBC. This is because SIP trunks are exposed to the public internet, making them vulnerable to various attacks. SBC deployment provides TLS and SRTP encryption to secure calls, NAT traversal to support remote workers, and interoperability to prevent protocol mismatch issues. 

To make the decision-making easy for you, here are some questions with corresponding suggestions: 

Are you routing voice traffic at scale?
→ Get a Softswitch.

Are you worried about SIP security, NAT traversal, or interop issues?
→ You need an SBC.

Are you offering voice services to end-users and managing features like voicemail, IVR, and extensions?
→ A Class 5 Softswitch is key.

Are you connecting to SIP trunks or multiple VoIP platforms?
→ Deploy an SBC at the network edge.

Do you want complete control, security, and scalability in your VoIP stack?
→ Use both Softswitch and SBC together.

Conclusion: Softswitch vs SBC

Based on the differences mentioned above, you can make your choice to buy a Softswitch or an SBC for your communication business. In the discussion about Softswitch vs SBC, there is no clear winner as both hold equal importance in the telecommunication industry. It only depends on your business requirements.

A Softswitch is like a central command center of any VoIP operation. It helps you to control call flow through your network in an organized manner. From managing rules behind how calls are handled to connecting users and enabling features like call forwarding, voicemail, and billing, a Softswitch does it all.

An SBC or Session Border Controller, on the other hand, acts as a security shield and manages network traffic as well. By sitting at the edge of your network, an SBC protects its all from various threats like call fraud, spam calls, and DDoS attacks. Besides this, an SBC also helps different systems work in coherence by solving their compatibility issues. Moreover, it manages the flow of data to ensure optimum call quality.

In simple words, you can think of them in this way: A Softswitch runs your services, and an SBC protects them. Together, they ensure a reliable, secure, and scalable VoIP setup.

Try It Yourself: Take Our Free Demo!

REVE Systems offers both softswitch and SBC solutions built for service providers, ISPs, and telecom operators of all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t matter if you are just starting a business or want to deliver better services; we can help you execute everything easily.

If you are still not sure of the product, you can reach our experts, who will guide you to make the right choice with a free demo of the products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about SBCs and softswitches.

Can SBC play the role of a firewall?

SBCs do offer firewall-like security functions, including blocking DDoS attacks, preventing SIP hijacking, and handling NAT traversal. It’s much more than a firewall can do. 

Are SBCs useful in cloud-based VoIP services?

Yes, cloud-based VoIP services need Session Border Controllers to secure voice traffic, enforce QoS policies, normalize SIP signaling between providers, and provide media handling. 

Who handles media traffic directly – Softswitches or SBCs?

Softswitches are mainly meant to manage signaling and routing, and not the media stream. This job, i.e, relaying, transcoding, and QoS enforcement of media streams, is typically done by SBCs 

Is it okay to use open-source softswitches and SBCs?

Not really, open source deployments require skilled management, customization, and security hardening.

Which one is better – Softswitch or SBC?

It’s difficult to say because softswitches and SBCs serve entirely different purposes. It depends on which type of business you are and what your needs are. If you are a VoIP provider, carrier, or reseller and need to route calls between different destinations, then a softswitch will be ideal for you. However, if you are an enterprise using SIP trunks, needing security, call quality control, and interoperability between different networks or PBX systems, then choose an SBC. 

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

An Overview of Session Border Controller | SBC Software

Frequently Asked Questions While Choosing an SBC Vendor

The post Softswitch vs SBC : Understanding The Difference appeared first on Revesoft Blog.

Through this blog, we are going to explore a common yet very important topic – Why having an SBC in your SIP trunking is essential.

What is SIP Trunking?

SIP Trunking is the process by which a business phone system can function using the internet connection rather than traditional phone lines. Rather than conventional telephone trunks, SIP Trunking uses VoIP technology to connect to the internet.

This means that businesses can make and receive calls over the internet using the SIP protocol. Here, SIP trunks connect the IP PBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange) of the business to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) via a VoIP (Voice over IP) provider.

Example of SIP Trunking

Consider an organization that has 40 employees. So instead of installing 40 separate telephone lines, the organization uses SIP trunking so that all those calls happen over the internet connection. They only pay for the number of simultaneous call channels they need, benefiting from lower costs and more flexibility. 

Why is SIP Trunking so Useful?

Switching to SIP trunking from traditional telephony is certainly a smart and strategic move because it solves the many hassles associated with conventional phone systems

Here are some of the major points highlighting why SIP trunking is a game-changer for modern businesses:

• It eliminates the requirement of wiring or circuit boxes for connectivity, as the SIP trunk is installed virtually. Reducing multiple phone lines drastically minimizes the operational cost and simplifies the entire communication setup.
• SIP trunking is software-based, which makes it easy to add or remove SIP lines in real-time based on business demand. 
• It is location-independent since everything happens over the internet, which means the phone system can be operated from anywhere. So businesses with a remote workforce and having offices in different locations can make and receive calls on their office number using an SIP app on their laptops or smartphones. 
• SIP trunking comes with built-in failover and redundancy options that help maintain business continuity in case your primary SIP trunk goes down. 

Challenges in SIP Deployments

Like any other technology, SIP trunking comes with its own set of hurdles. Let’s take a closer look at the challenges that businesses face in the real world when adopting SIP trunking. 

1. Exposure to the Internet Creates Security Risks

While the internet is the biggest strength of SIP trunking, it is also its biggest vulnerability. We know that traditional phone lines operate over closed and dedicated circuits, whereas in the case of SIP, the public internet is the foundation over which SIP trunking runs. This exposure leads all the SIP-enabled devices, PBX systems, and trunks to become potential targets for several threats, including DDoS attacks, toll fraud, spoofing, eavesdropping, and registration hijacking

Without implementing strong security measures like encryption, deploying firewalls and SBCs, and enforcing authentication mechanisms, businesses are highly likely to face losses. 

2. Compatibility Issues Can Disrupt Call Flows

Though SIP is a standard, different vendors have their own versions of SIP implementation, which might not speak the same ‘language’. This means that your IP PBX from Vendor A not not work nicely with your SIP trunk from Vendor B. Various symptoms appear because of SIP incompatibility, including one-way audio, call dropping, inconsistent call flow, etc. 

3. Bandwidth Dependency Creates Call Quality Issues

SIP calls utilize your existing data network, which means they share bandwidth with other online traffic, including your emails, file transfers, video calls, and streaming services. Because of this shared bandwidth, SIP calls often suffer from common internet issues, including jitter, packet loss, latency, congestion, etc. 

All of the above-mentioned issues, including security threats, interoperability issues, and call quality glitches, should be addressed properly to enjoy seamless communication flow. That’s where tools like Session Border Controllers (SBCs) come into play.

What is a Session Border Controller?

Session Border Controller is a key element of modern SIP Trunking as it monitors all sessions crossing between the internal enterprise network and the external ITSP network.

An SBC is responsible for determining the routing of each session based on priority. Before understanding the importance of a Session Border Controller in SIP Trunking, you should know what this terminology means. Let me go step-by-step.

Role of SBC in SIP Trunking

Although SIP Trunking has become an important part of the modern communication system, there are certain security challenges, including communication issues, that need to be addressed. Here, an SBC plays an important role in enhancing security by preventing incoming threats such as DDoS Attacks, Premium Number Fraud, Missed Call Fraud, etc. SBC and SIP Trunking are common terminologies when we talk about an enterprise network.

Compared to a firewall, an SBC provides better control, offering policy enforcement, deep packet inspection, and security functionality. Connecting your phone system to an IP Network opens the door for several types of threats, which can be prevented with the deployment of a Session Border Controller. An SBC secures the internal network from the external world using topology hiding. Although companies adopt Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) to prevent security threats, an SBC is always a powerful addition.

SBC can fine-tune the interoperability between disparate VoIP systems and digital PBXs. The typical role of the SBC is to intercept calls from telecom providers and route them to the predetermined systems.

Based on the network usage and policies framed for the network, SBC can decide how much bandwidth is required for a particular session. An SBC can use a codec conversion feature to provide interoperability.

The SBC finds its place in both customers’ and carriers’ end for a better security setup. Usually known as eSBCs, these Session Border Controllers keep the unified communication network safe from unauthorized intrusions.

Benefits of Deploying an SBC in SIP Trunking

• Supports the internal network to implement both voice and data services.
• Optimizes the use of bandwidth and assigns the right quantity, so that both voice and data services can be delivered over the same connection.
• Provides additional flexibility in purchasing voice capacity.
• Enables flexible routing of calls to the preferred carrier — route calls to local or SIP
• Implements complete encryption of voice calls to meet security needs
• Establishes better interconnection with cellular networks so a call placed to a cellphone also rings on a desktop phone
• Grants the ability to route calls to different locations based on call volume, source of call, or other policies

Choosing the Right SBC: Key Considerations

Choose the Right Deployment

One of the primary considerations when choosing the right SBC for your organization is to choose the type of deployment that aligns with your requirements. SBCs come in three main deployment types – hardware-based, virtualized, and cloud-hosted. While each of these deployments has its own set of advantages, you need to consider your infrastructure, call volume, and IT resources before making a move. 

1. Hardware-Based SBCs 

As the name suggests, these SBCs are physical appliances deployed on-site, i.e, within the physical premises of the organization. These SBCs are an ideal fit for businesses or large enterprises with in-house data centers and high-security and full-control requirements. 

2. Virtualized SBCs

These types of SBCs are software-based and deployed on virtual machines, offering more flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Medium-sized businesses that have internal IT teams or hybrid deployments should opt for this type. 

3. Cloud-Based SBCs 

These types of SBCs are hosted and managed in the cloud by third-party providers and delivered as a service, often called SBCaaS. Small to medium-sized businesses or SMBs can take advantage of cloud-hosted SBCs because these are quickly deployed and require no hardware maintenance, and are easily affordable.

Once you have clarity about which type of deployment you need, then proceed with the following questions to gain a better understanding of your suitability

What are its security capabilities?

Since the primary function of an SBC is to safeguard your VoIP network and maintain the integrity of your SIP sessions, therefore, you should look for advanced security features such as 

• SIP message filtering
• DoS/DDoS protection
• TLS/SRTP encryption
• Call fraud prevention 
• Two-factor authentication (2FA)

Does it perform Interoperability and SIP Normalization? 

This one is extremely important if you are connecting with multiple carriers or offering services to diverse enterprise clients. Your SBC should be capable of handling protocol mismatches efficiently through SIP normalization, making sure that disparate systems can work together in coherence. 

How does it handle call quality and media streams? 

An SBC with the following features would be able to enhance the quality of service: 

• Jitter buffer management
• Media anchoring
• Codec transcoding
• Call admission control

How does it ensure business continuity in the event of hardware or network failure? 

Downtime is certainly not an option for modern businesses, especially those with mission-critical services. Therefore, look for an SBC that offers: 

• 1+1 hot standby
• Automatic failover
• Geo-redundancy

How scalable is the SBC? 

Whether you’re handling 100 or 100,000 concurrent calls, the SBC solution should offer the required flexibility. To ensure this, you may look for the following: 

• Licensing models (pay-as-you-grow)
• Multi-tenant support (if you’re a service provider)
• High throughput without performance degradation

Does it offer reporting and analytics? 

In order to manage your VoIP network efficiently, you need to quickly identify issues and optimize traffic flow. An SBC that supports real-time monitoring, alerting, and reporting features will help you do that. So, ensure that your SBCs dashboard includes the following: 

• Call detail records (CDRs)

• Performance metrics

• User behavior tracking

• Fraud alerts

How easy is it to use? 

Modern-day SBCs do not require you to have deep technical skills to configure, monitor, and manage them. They are equipped with intuitive user interfaces, API access, and centralized dashboards that are easy to administer. 

Does it offer integration and billing support? 

Select those SBCs that offer built-in billing systems and integrate with CRMs and other critical business tools. 

How reliable is the vendor? 

Besides the technology, the reputation of the vendor matters a lot. Check whether they offer 24/7 technical support services. Also, look for consultation services for setup and scaling. 

Conclusion

Although Enterprise SBC is increasingly used in several unified communication setups, it’s ultimately your choice to deploy an SBC or not, considering the type of systems you need to connect and the security you expect.

Try REVE SBC with a Free Demo & Expert Consultation

Are you still thinking of securing and optimizing your SIP trunking environment? You can trust REVE SBC, which is a robust, carrier-grade solution designed specifically for VoIP providers, wholesale carriers, and large enterprises. Our session border controller gives you full visibility, security, and performance control over your voice traffic with these powerful features: 

• Real-Time Fraud Detection
• SIP Normalization
• 1+1 Hot Standby
• CLI Management
• Call Simulation
• WebRTC Integration

You can experience REVE SBC firsthand by availing a free trial and personalized demo. Our experts will walk you through the key functionalities based on your specific network environment. Additionally, you can receive free consultation to understand the best deployment model – on-premise or cloud, and see how REVE SBC can strengthen your VoIP infrastructure. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are SBCs the same as Firewalls?

No, firewalls are meant to protect general traffic, while SBCs are designed to manage and protect SIP traffic. 

Are SBCs useful for small businesses?

Of course, if a small business relies heavily on SIP trunking for communication, then it can opt for cloud-based SBCs, which are easily affordable. 

How are on-premise and cloud SBCs different?

On-premise SBCs require hardware and equipment installation and provide more control. On the other hand, cloud SBCs are managed by third-party vendors and offer more flexibility and scalability. 

How does an SBC help if my PBX and SIP provider aren’t compatible?

SBCs normalize SIP signaling so that disparate systems can work together seamlessly. 

Do SBCs help in improving the quality of calls?

SBCs enforce QoS policies, manage media paths, and prevent poor connections from degrading the voice experience, which improves call quality. 

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

How to Prevent Spoofed Robocalls with STIR/SHAKEN– Role of an SBC

SIP/VoIP Fraud Attacks: Why Operators Need a Reliable Solution?

The post Importance of a Session Border Controller in SIP Trunking appeared first on Revesoft Blog.

Let’s begin, shall we?

What is a Cloud SBC?

We know that every cloud-based service runs over the internet. A cloud SBC is a software-based SBC that runs over the cloud infrastructure. Such SBCs do not require physical on-premise installations, thus eliminating the need for dedicated hardware and maintenance.

Cloud SBCs are managed by the cloud SBC service providers and are ideal for businesses seeking off-premises solutions with minimal setup and maintenance.

Key Features of a Cloud SBC

SIP Signaling

SIP, i.e., session initiation protocol, is the standard protocol that establishes, maintains, and terminates real-time sessions. Cloud SBCs act as intermediaries between different communication systems and handle SIP signaling between these systems. From setup, modification, and termination of SIP sessions, cloud SBCs ensure that SIP messages are correctly routed, translated, and processed. 

Media Transcoding

The process of media transcoding involves the conversion of media streams, such as audio or video, from one codec to another. A codec is an algorithm that is used to encode or decode media for transmission over networks. Media transcoding is required because often different devices or systems use different codecs, leading to compatibility problems.

Cloud SBCs perform media transcoding to ensure that communication endpoints with different codecs do not face compatibility issues. For instance, if one device uses the G.711 codec for audio and another uses the G.729 codec, the SBC can convert the media stream between these codecs, allowing the two devices to communicate seamlessly.

Quality of Experience (QoS)

Cloud SBCs have the fault tolerance capabilities through redundancy, and self-healing mechanisms. This is the reason why cloud session border controllers can ensure 99.999% reliability.

Here, it is important to mention that cloud providers offer different redundancy options, mainly full redundancy, which is usually higher priced, and self-healing options, which are lower in cost with potential service disruptions. This allows businesses to make cost-effective choices. 

How do Cloud SBCs Differ from Traditional SBCs?

Traditional SBCs were deployed as physical appliances within a company’s data center or at the edge of the network. They required significant capital investment, ongoing maintenance, and dedicated IT staff to manage them. As communication needs grew more complex, managing these traditional SBCs became increasingly challenging and costly.

Then happened the transition to cloud-based SBCs. The physical, on-premise infrastructure became no more a mandate and was taken over by virtualized and cloud-hosted solutions. The modern dat cloud SBCs offer the same functionalities as those of traditional SBCs but with several key advantages. There are several aspects in terms of which cloud SBCs differ from the traditional ones. Let’s have a look:

Comparison: Cloud SBCs vs Traditional SBCs

Cost Reduction Benefits of Cloud SBCs

Shift from CAPEX to OPEX

In the past, SBCs were on specialized, purpose-built hardware platforms, using proprietary appliances. Today the trend is towards deploying SBCs in the cloud. This software-centric, low up-front cost solution allows businesses to “pay as you grow” with an array of platform choices. The powerful routing capabilities of the Cloud SBC, along with SIP interworking, lowers service delivery costs through simplified operations.

Easy to Scale

When it was about appliance-based SBCs, a major challenge was choosing the right-sized infrastructure for a business network. Opting for a low-end session border controller might appear as a good way to start due to its lesser cost, but it carries along the risk of creating bottlenecks when the demand increases. On the other hand, deploying a high-end session border controller could be really expensive for the business and would often result in excess capacity.

However, the cloud approach is more scalable. While there is no on-premise hardware to worry about, cloud SBCs can easily increase/ decrease concurrent calls as per the company’s requirements.

Reduced Maintenance Cost

Cloud service providers handle the underlying infrastructure, which includes hardware maintenance,  software updates, and security patches. With this, not only does the cost to maintain the system eliminate, but it also frees up the IT team to focus their efforts on core business activities.

High Availability

Running a VoIP wholesale business demands 99.99% uptime. If we look at the traditional hardware-based SBCs, then achieving high availability would mean the installation of an additional SBC programmed to take over whenever the primary system goes down. 

This simply means either you have to burn a hole in your pocket or simply run your business with the risk of no backup. But with Cloud Session Border Controller, this problem does not arise. Cloud SBC provides carrier-grade redundancy through standby virtual machines which assure a high level of service performance and availability. That’s certainly a more cost-effective solution as compared to that costly redundant hardware.

Complexity Reduction Benefits of Cloud SBCs

Offers Comprehensive Security

IP communications systems are an indispensable and critical part of business communications. DDoS attacks, eavesdropping, and fraudulent toll calls are common types of attacks faced by VoIP networks. Modern-day cloud SBCs are capable enough to mitigate the risk of extortion, intrusion, and theft of services. Cloud SBC blocks unauthorized traffic and conceals private network topology from malicious entities to secure critical business communications.

• Topology Hiding is a key feature of SBCs wherein the private IP addresses of an application are not exposed to the outside world but are masked. This is done to prevent the mapping of the private network.
• By detecting, deflecting, and limiting the frequency of attempts, SBCs prevent DoS and DDoS attacks on the network, which otherwise could bring the company’s operations to a complete halt.

Smooths Complexity in Connections and Communications

A business handles different types of networks and protocols in real-time through a variety of IP applications. Different types of streaming formats, audio codecs, media, etc., are some of the elements that make up unified communications. SBCs ensure interworking between incompatible protocols, codecs, and SIP variants by acting as a real-time translator. It fully supports each party throughout each session to ensure that there is no loss of features.

Simplifies Session Gatekeeping and Routing

By performing Session Admission Control, SBCs act as network gatekeepers to determine who has the authorization to access the SIP network. With this, bad actors remain at bay from the system, as well as the network traffic remains in order.

For fairly large SIP networks, multiple SBCs can be used at multiple network borders. So rather than individually configuring each controller, they can be dynamically managed as a central system using one set of routing and policies. This saves a lot of time and money for the business.

Excellent Customer and Employee Experiences

There are several ways in which SBCs improve the quality of service when used as a part of UCaas, i.e., Unified Communications as a Service, or CCaaS, i.e., Contact Center as a Service. Take a look:

• By analyzing traffic and optimizing routing, SBCs increase data speeds significantly and also improve the quality of voice calls.
• During higher loads, SBCs can prioritize and redirect sessions so as to maintain performance.
• By detecting and normalizing different SIP dialects, SBCs ensure that your agents enjoy seamless and high-quality calls across multiple devices, that too in real time.

Reduced Infrastructure Footprint of Cloud SBCs

Another significant advantage of using Cloud SBCs is the reduced infrastructure footprint. First, as the need for on-premises hardware gets eliminated, the need for physical space required to house and operate the systems also gets reduced. Second, cloud SBCs reduce the consumption of energy because they don’t need electricity to power their hardware and cooling systems. 

Therefore, it helps companies to reduce their carbon footprint and foster sustainability. Third, the logistical burden on the company gets reduced. This is because maintaining cloud SBCs is the responsibility of the cloud service provider. So whether it is hardware replacement, software updates, or physical inspections, all these tasks are handled by the provider.

REVE SBC: Save Money and Improve Operational Efficiency

Having the right SBC for your business can help you reduce cost and operational complexity. REVE SBC offers great scalability, and security with high performance by supporting 30K concurrent calls with 2000 CPS from a single node. It comes with a real-time billing platform for hassle-free billing and payment that making it one of the best telecom software. REVE Session Border Controller makes use of intelligent call routing for seamless management of wholesale VoIP traffic.  If you are searching for cloud SBC Vendors or virtual SBC for your business, then please get in touch with us as our team will guide you in the right direction.

Cloud SBCs: Future Outlook

The global session border controller (SBC) market value is expected to increase from USD 789.31 million in 2024 to USD 1,672.77 million by 2034. The sharp rise in demand points toward a CAGR of 7.80% through 2034. A remarkable driver of the SBC market is the high demand for SBCs from VoIP applications. (Source- Future Market Insights )

With communication technologies continuing to evolve rapidly, it is highly likely that cloud SBCs will play a prominent and critical role in modern communication networks. The growing adoption of cloud-based services such as UCaaS and CPaaS is already evident. This rising trend shall only intensify the demand for scalable, flexible, and secure communication solutions and cloud SBCs are well-positioned to meet these needs. Cloud SBCs provide organizations with the tools to seamlessly manage complex communication environments while ensuring cost-effectiveness. 

Ultimately, we can say that in the coming time, we can see greater integration of communication infrastructure with cloud SBCs, further reducing the cost and complexity of maintaining reliable and high-quality communication services. 

Summary

From traditional hardware-based to cloud SBCs – there has been a huge transformation in the way organizations manage their communication networks. Cloud SBCs have eliminated the need for expensive physical hardware, enabling organizations to shift from capital expenditure and adopt a flexible operational expenditure model. By leveraging cloud SBCs, businesses can simplify their infrastructure management and adapt to the changing demands quite easily. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time-to-market for cloud SBCs?

Cloud SBCs are usually deployed in a matter of hours or days. On the contrary, traditional SBCs can take weeks or months for the same.

Can you name a few industries that can benefit from cloud SBCs?

Cloud SBCs can benefit organizations across various industries such as healthcare, education, finance, and telecommunications.

How can organizations maximize the reliability of a cloud SBC?

The reliability of a cloud service is ensured by the cloud service provider. So, choosing a reliable provider means expecting minimal downtime.

Do Virtual SBCs integrate with existing on-premise systems?

Yes, most of the virtual session border controllers providers offer hybrid solution that easily integrate with on-premise existing systems. This means you can expect a smooth transition and interoperability.

Are there any potential risks associated with the usage of Cloud SBCs?

Yes, vendor lock-in, data privacy concerns, and network latency are some potential risks. 

Do Virtual SBCs have the capacity to handle high call volumes?

Yes, virtual SBCs are scalable in nature which means they can be configured to handle high call volumes. This makes them an ideal choice for contact centers and large enterprises.

What are some key benefits organizations can experience using cloud SBCs?

Reduced infrastructure costs, improved scalability, enhanced security, and faster deployment are some common benefits. 

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

Why Communication Service Providers Need an SBC?

An Overview of Session Border Controller

Note: This post has been updated on 13-12-2024.

The post How Cloud SBC Reduces Infrastructure Cost and Complexity? appeared first on Revesoft Blog.

This post provides you with a comprehensive comparison between the two popular network devices – SBCs vs Firewalls.

Let’s jump right into it!

What is a Firewall?

As the term indicates, a firewall is a network security system that typically establishes a barrier between two networks. It monitors and controls all the incoming and outgoing traffic by making use of pre-configured security rules or protocols.

What Does a Firewall Do?

A firewall lets certain things come inside the network while keeping others out, just like a security guard. It is a static technology which means firewalls can either open up or shut down interfaces. 

Key Features of a Firewall

Take a look at some of the key features of a firewall to understand how it provides primary protection to your network from unauthorized access and malicious threats.

• Packet Filtering 

The most basic feature of a firewall is packet filtering. As the term implies, it inspects each network packet to decide whether it should be allowed to pass or blocked based on its IP address or some predefined criteria. 

• Stateful Inspection 

It is a feature within the firewalls that tracks the state of active network connections to make informed decisions about incoming and outgoing traffic. This type of inspection offers a deeper level of security because traffic patterns are being analyzed and only those associated with active sessions are allowed.

• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDP)

Firewalls with IDP systems are capable of monitoring network traffic for suspicious activities. By doing so, they detect and block malicious threats and intrusions such as malware and hacking attacks in real time.  

• Proxy Service 

Firewalls with proxy support act as intermediary between users and the internet. By preventing networks from directly connecting with other systems and inspecting all the incoming and outgoing traffic before passing it through, proxy service hides internal network addresses and thus prevents direct attacks on your systems.

• Virtual Private Network Support 

Firewalls with VPN support facilitate users with secure remote access to the network. By encrypting the traffic, it ensures secure communication for remote users. 

• Application Control 

Firewalls with application control features allow organizations to enforce security at a more granular level. Rather than relying on IP addresses and ports, this feature monitors and controls applications accessing the network or being accessed on the network. By doing so, it helps prevent unauthorized use of resources. 

Use Cases of Firewalls

Firewalls are a versatile and essential security tool with a wide range of applications across various industries and environments. Here are some common use cases of firewalls

• Network Perimeter Defense

Firewalls are extensively used to protect corporate networks from external threats. By placing a firewall at an organization’s network perimeter, the incoming and outgoing traffic gets filtered and blocks unauthorized access, malware attacks, and hacking attempts. 

• Secure Remote Access 

Firewalls with VPN support are used to allow remote employees to connect securely to the corporate networks. The firewall filters traffic to block malicious attacks and keeps the communication encrypted.

• Data Center Security 

Firewalls are also an integral part of large data centers to protect data and infrastructure within them. By monitoring the traffic between servers, firewalls prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. 

• Internal Network Segmentation 

To protect against insider threats, firewalls are used to segment internal networks thus controlling access between different internal departments. Through this segmentation, organizations can ensure that only authorized users have access to specific parts of the network. 

• Logging and Audit Capabilities 

Administrators make use of logs of network events which are stored and maintained by firewalls to detect patterns and refine security rules. It is essential to update these rules regularly to stay ahead of the evolving cyber threats. 

What is a Session Border Controller?

SBC or Session Border Controllers are much more advanced when it comes to traffic management. While Firewalls are able to work up to 4 layers of the OSI model of a network, SBCs work all the way up to layer 7. SBCs thus act as a single network management solution that addresses all security and application concerns.

When the internet came into existence, it offered very little protection to data. Hackers, cyber attackers, and spammers could easily get into a network and steal or misuse data shared over the cloud.

Firewalls were introduced to offer network security and they did their job well for a long time, but eventually failed to meet the security requirements of the ever-growing networks. Firewalls have control only over the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th layers of the OSI model i.e. Data Link Layer, Network Layer and Transport Layer. However, with constant changes being made in security protocols and system updates, changes are introduced in the 3rd and 4th layers of the OSI model. But layer 5 to layer 7 remain unchanged as firewalls could not access those. This results in some significant quality issues in real-time communications such as echo in voice and video communication.

As the technologies advanced, so did the tactics of hackers who figured out one way or the other to execute their attacks.

SBCs perform their functions to ensure that phone calls and video systems remain free of any quality issues and thus end users can have a smooth communication experience. Moreover, SBCs ensure that the quality of communication remains unaffected even when additional people are conferenced in. From a security perspective, SBCs make use of AI to detect any malicious parties entering the system. It makes use of static and dynamic ACLs i.e. Access Control Lists to define who is authorized to come in and who is not.

Key Features of SBC

• Encryption and Decryption 

SBCs support industry-standard encryption protocols such as SRTP and TLS to encrypt voice and signaling traffic thus ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information. 

• Quality of Service 

SBCs implement various QoS techniques like jitter buffering and packet prioritization to ensure that voice traffic receives the required bandwidth and priority over other network traffic.

• NAT Traversal

SBCs enable VoIP communication across networks through NAT Traversal i.e. modify signaling and media packets to include the SBC’s public IP and port information

• Load Balancing 

Through load balancing i.e. distributing traffic across multiple servers, SBCs ensures optimal resource utilization and prevent overload.

• Failovers 

SBCs come with built-in redundancy mechanisms that help them maintain uninterrupted services. This happens as systems automatically switch to backup systems in the event of hardware or software issues.

• Regulatory Compliance 

SBCs can be configured to comply with various regulatory standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

Applications of SBC

Session Border Controllers are extensively used in VoIP and SIP-based communications for efficient management and security. Various industries such as healthcare, and online gaming make use of SBCs to prevent attacks and ensure security. 

Key Differences Between SBC and Firewall

Now let us understand the difference between SBC and Firewall in terms of various parameters. This will help you select the right one for your business.

Communication

Session Border Controllers perform the job of managing and controlling real-time voice and video communication sessions. However, Firewalls can either block or allow the data communication flow.

Implementation

The implementation of Session Border Controller takes place as a Back-to-Back-User-Agent i.e. B2BUA. On the other hand, Firewalls are implemented as proxy servers.

Media & Signaling

Session Border Controllers are actively involved in the processing of both signaling and media paths. Whereas in the case of Firewalls, there is no involvement in the audio/video streams or the RTP media path.

OSI Layers

Session Border Controllers can deal with any layer of the OSI stack. However, Firewalls can only look at traffic on layers 2, 3 & 4 of the OSI model.

Topology Hiding

A major parameter that differentiates SBCs from Firewalls is Topology Hiding. SBCs perform Topology Hiding by removing or hiding basic internal network information from the signaling stream. This is done to prevent internal network details from being propagated to untrusted networks.

Codec Transcoding

Another way SBCs stand out is their ability to perform interworking between incompatible codecs, protocols, and SIP variants. SBCs act as real-time translators throughout each session to ascertain that there is no loss of features.

Functionality

The main role of Firewalls is to provide security to the network while Session Border Controllers go well beyond the security focus of the firewalls. Besides security, SBCs also ensure that the communication traffic is delivered via the optimum route by using intelligent call routing. By doing so, SBCs ensure QoS i.e. Quality of Service, and hence boost customer satisfaction.

It is important to understand the functions of both firewalls and SBCs in controlling traffic and implementing security policies. Only then we can be successful in creating a network design that ensures the protection of the vital communication systems as well as providing the desired level of QoS to users.

Complementary Role of SBC and Firewall

It is important to understand that SBCs do not replace firewalls. With all the differences in their features and functionalities, there are several instances where an SBC compliments a firewall. This means they both often work together in a complementary manner. Let’s have a look at how they make a strong partnership: 

• Security 

Firewalls act as the first line of defense. They are used as an initial security barrier to protect networks from external threats, usually malware, and DoS attacks. Session Border Controllers, on the other hand, focus on securing real-time communication sessions. They are good at preventing attacks like SIP flooding, call highjacking, and eavesdropping. 

• Communication Management

Session Border Controllers primarily handle voice and video communication sessions in real time. They employ certain services like QoS, call admission control, and NAT traversal to ensure sessions are efficiently managed, prioritized, and secured. A firewall does not directly play a role in these functions but plays a supporting role by filtering out general malicious traffic before it reaches the SBC. 

• Network Integration 

SBCs often play the role of gatekeepers that bridge different types of communication networks, such as the PSTN and VoIP networks. SBCs ensure seamless communication between devices on VoIP and PSTN networks by translating signaling protocols and media formats used by these different devices. 

When integrating PSTN and VoIP networks, SBCs create interfaces that connect the internal network to the external world. At these interfaces, unauthorized access or security breaches could occur. This is where a firewall could help. As it sits at the boundary of the network, it offers an additional layer of security by performing traffic filtration, blocking unwanted external access, and preventing network attacks. 

SBC vs Firewall: Which One Do You Need?

When to Use a Firewall?

• For General Network Protection 
• Within Non-VoIP Environments 
• Intrusion Prevention

When to Use an SBC?

• Within VoIP and Unified Communications Environments 
• For Regulatory Compliance 
• To protect Real-time Communication 
• For Multi-network VoIP Integration 

About REVE SBC

REVE SBC is a robust and scalable Class 4 Softswitch platform designed and developed for communication service providers. It comes with a powerful distributed architecture that ensures network availability and resiliency against cyber threats. Integrated with a real-time billing platform that works on intelligent routing, REVE SBC adds more scalability to your IP wholesale business.

Do You Need Both SBC and Firewall?

There are several scenarios (a few I have mentioned above) where using both an SBC and a firewall together is the best approach. While a firewall offers primary defense for the overall network, the SBC takes it to an advanced level. By combining the strengths of both firewalls and SBCs, organizations can protect and manage their networks through a layered approach. 

SBC vs Firewall: Conclusion

We all know that the security of VoIP networks is important and many of us are under the perception that a Firewall offers almost equal security as that of an SBC. So the contemplation of whether one really needs to purchase an SBC to secure their business network remains there. Clearly, Session Border Controllers are the superior choice for ensuring secure, reliable, and high-quality IP-based interactive communications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an SBC the same as Firewall?

No, an SBC or Session Border Controller is different from a firewall as they serve different purposes. Though both are network devices, an SBC is specially designed to manage and secure real-time communication such as VoIP. On the other side, a firewall provides general network security by performing traffic filtering and blocking unauthorized access. 

Which one is better: SBC or Firewall?

Both SBC and Firewall are valuable tools. The choice for ‘better’ depends upon your specific requirements. SBCs are great for securing and managing VoIP traffic. However, if your primary concern is general network protection, then a firewall is more suitable. 

Can a Firewall and SBC be used together?

Yes, SBCs and Firewalls can be used together. They should be used together to provide comprehensive network security and communication management they offer when combined. While an SBC can manage and secure real-time communication sessions, a firewall can protect the SBC from external threats.

How do SBCs ensure low latency and high quality of service (QoS) for real-time communications?

SBCs employ different techniques to ensure low latency and high QoS such as prioritizing real-time traffic over other types of data, transcoding and transrating to adapt media to network conditions, managing bandwidth, and using redundant configurations to ensure high availability.

Can an SBC be configured to prioritize specific types of VoIP traffic?

Yes, you can configure an SBC  to prioritize certain types of VoIP traffic. By implementing Quality of Service policies, you can assign different levels of priority to different types of traffic. For example, real-time communication such as voice traffic can be given higher priority over data traffic to ensure that call quality is not affected by network congestion.

Note- This post has been updated on 29-11-2024.

The post SBC vs Firewall : Which one is a Better Choice? appeared first on Revesoft Blog.

Clear, seamless, and secure communication is indeed an absolute imperative for any business in today’s interconnected world. Poor call quality and network unreliability can lead to lost opportunities and customer dissatisfaction. It wouldn’t be wrong if I say that these are the challenges that no organization would want to face. And, this is where Session Border Controllers or SBCs play their part, addressing these challenges and emerging as critical components of modern communication infrastructures. 

Through this blog, let’s understand the benefits of SBCs, and how they contribute towards building robust and resilient business communication networks. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of why implementing a Session Border Controller is necessary for your business. So let’s begin! 

What is an SBC or Session Border Controller?

An SBC or Session Border Controller is a specialized network device, usually either software or hardware, predominantly used in VoIP or Voice over IP networks to manage and safeguard voice and video calls. SBCs are typically positioned at the edge of a network so that they can monitor, control, and secure the traffic that moves between internal and external networks. 

Role of SBC in IP Communications

IP communications have transformed the way businesses communicate. With the transmission of voice, video, and data over an IP network, this technology has enabled a wide range of services such as VoIP, video conferencing, instant messaging, unified communications, etc., which businesses can leverage to enjoy more flexible, cost-effective, and feature-rich communication services. 

Let’s get straight to it –  why is a Session Border Controller essential for your VoIP or IP communications network? Before I answer this question, let’s first look at some shocking yet valuable statistics: 

• 64% of customers expect companies to interact with them without delay during phone calls. (Salesforce)

• Over 60% of customers switch companies due to poor phone-based customer service experiences. (Accenture)

• Network downtime costs businesses an average of $5,600 per minute, equating to over $300,000 per hour. (Gartner)

• A single fraud event can cost a company between $3,000 and $50,000 but can be much higher. For example, a 2009 attack on an Australian company’s VoIP PBX resulted in a bill of over $120,000.

From these figures, it’s easy to envision the serious repercussions businesses face due to poor call quality and network unreliability.

Returning to the question at hand, the answer is quite simple: SBCs contribute to the effectiveness of IP communications in several ways such as providing protection against attacks, performing interoperability, maintain Quality of Service, and offering Network Address Translation (NAT), and Port Address Translation (PAT) services. By deploying an SBC, you can significantly improve the reliability, security, and overall performance of your communication infrastructure.

How Do Session Border Controllers Work?

Before you consider buying or implementing any technology for your business, it is important to understand its functioning. Doing so will help you decide better whether your business needs it or not. When considering an SBC for your networks, first take an in-depth look into its working criteria, which is as follows: 

• The Session Initiates 

Upon initiation of a VoIP call, the SBC intercepts the SIP signaling traffic. The SIP signaling request is analyzed and it confirms whether the request is from a trusted source. Once confirmed, the connection gets established. 

• Authentication and Authorization is Validated 

SBCs perform credential checks for users or the devices making the request. With this, it is ensured that only authorized users are allowed to initiate calls. 

• Protocols are Normalized 

As the calls progress, SBCs perform interoperability or normalization of the protocols and codecs i.e. converting different versions of protocols/ codecs into a standard format for seamless communication. 

• Encryption and Decryption is Performed 

To secure data in transit, SBCs perform encryption of signaling and media streams. This helps ensure that the call cannot be intercepted through unauthorized access. SBCs can also decrypt incoming packets for inspection, adding a layer of protection against potential threats. 

• Bandwidth Allocation and QoS Management is Implemented

As the call proceeds further, SBCs perform traffic prioritization to manage bandwidth. This helps prevent packet loss, delay, jitter, and other issues. SBCs also enforce QoS policies to ensure consistent, high-quality calls even when the network is congested. 

• Traffic Monitoring and Fraud Detection in Action

An important function that SBCs perform throughout the call is monitoring the traffic and identifying unusual patterns that may indicate fraud or abuse. 

• Managing Session Termination and Call Logging 

As the call ends, the SBC clears all the allocated resources and logs the call details for tracking, compliance, and analysis.

Top Advantages of SBCs in VoIP Networks

Session Border Controllers when implemented within a VoIP business network can bring tremendous benefits. Let’s take a look at the key benefits offered by SBCs: 

Robust Security

As mentioned at the start of this post, businesses often seek answers to this question – Why do we need an SBC when there’s already a firewall installed? Well, let me answer this for you in more detail. It is true that firewalls and SBCs offer similar roles, they serve distinct purposes, particularly when it comes to VoIP communications.

Firewalls can provide basic security for VoIP traffic. However, when it comes to addressing the specific challenges of SIP traffic, firewalls are simply not sufficient. On the contrary, SBCs are designed to handle VoIP traffic as they mainly focus on scanning SIP-enabled traffic.

Some key functions performed by SBCs that Firewalls lack are:  

• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): SBCs perform DPI to inspect the content of VoIP traffic packets, thus identifying and blocking malicious packets. Firewalls are not designed to perform such detailed analysis.

• Session Management: From initiation to termination, SBCs are involved in the management of the entire lifecycle of a VoIP call. They enforce various policies to efficiently perform session management. On the other hand, firewalls lack such a level of granular control when it comes to VoIP sessions.

• Security Features: SBCs come with a wide range of security features including authentication and authorization, encryption, DoS and DDoS protection, call screening and filtering, etc. On the contrary, firewalls typically offer basic security features and do not offer the same level of protection as SBCs.

• Quality of Service: SBCs ensure optimum call quality at all times even during congested network conditions by enforcing QoS. In contrast, firewalls cannot prioritize certain types of traffic. 

Overall, SBCs enforce real-time security methods, and procedures to provide protection, management and quality optimization for VoIP traffic. 

Seamless Connectivity

The modern-day networks are complex, comprising diverse devices like phones, printers, and computers. All these are connected to a single business network making management of these devices a critical challenge. This happens because every device may use different communication protocols and configurations, leading to compatibility and connectivity issues. 

Moreover, it’s not just about the networks, several businesses also work with multiple service providers for their communication needs. Likewise, each service provider may be using different protocols, adding to the complexity of managing smooth communication. 

SBCs help by acting as a centralized management point, sitting on the boundary between your organization’s network and external service providers. From there, it controls and manages the flow of communication between different devices and services by normalizing communication protocols, thus ensuring compatibility and efficiency. 

Improved Quality of Service

Without SBCs, businesses relying on VoIP are bound to struggle with poor call quality no matter if it is voice or video. SBCs ensure Quality of Service (QoS) through various functions including: 

• Jitter buffering smooths out variations in packet arrival times, resulting in consistent audio and video call quality. 
• Call Admission Control or CAC regulates the number of active calls on the network, thus preventing overloading. 
• Bandwidth management dynamically allocates resources thus preventing network congestion. 
• Traffic prioritization ensures that real-time communication or traffic with high-priority labels receives the necessary bandwidth. 

Flexible Network Scaling

Business networks often have fluctuating demands. SBCs employ several strategies to provide these networks with flexible scaling, thus enabling businesses to scale their communication networks up and down based on their current needs, without compromising reliability and quality. Here are some key function of SBCs to support network scaling:

• Load Balancing: SBCs distribute traffic across multiple servers to prevent overload and optimize performance. 
• Redundancy: Multiple SBCs are deployed in a redundant configuration to minimize failover. 
• Resource Allocation: SBCs can dynamically allocate resources (CPU, memory, etc.) to handle increased traffic loads.

Cost Savings

It’s not just one but several different ways through which session border controllers help businesses save their costs. Let’s take a look: 

• SBCs make efficient usage of bandwidth. SBCs prioritize voice and video traffic, ensuring that only necessary data is transmitted. This helps reduce the overall bandwidth requirements leading to lower data costs. 

• The interoperability feature of SBCs simply eliminates the need for multiple gateway devices, reducing hardware costs. Additionally, SBCs support cloud-based deployments, which further adds to the savings against on-premise hardware and associated maintenance costs. 

• SBCs allow businesses to scale their communication needs without making any significant investments in the infrastructure. 

• SBCs perform continuous monitoring and management of the networks, leading to proactive resolution of potential issues. This helps in minimizing downtime and reduces the need for frequent repairs. Ultimately, it lowers maintenance and support costs over time. 

Real World Use Cases for Session Border Controllers

In both the enterprise and service provider network landscape, session border controllers play a pivotal role. Let’s delve into these practical scenarios to understand how SBCs are applied in these environments: 

• Role of SBCs in Enterprise Networks

Enterprise networks increasingly rely on VoIP for internal and external communications. With this, the need for secure voice channels becomes essential. SBCs safeguard VoIP traffic from threats like toll fraud, DoS attacks, call tampering, and eavesdropping. By enforcing robust security mechanisms like encryption and authentication, SBCs ensure the security and privacy of data The firewall capabilities of SBCs enable it to block unwanted traffic and prevent unauthorized access to the network. 

And there’s more – SBCs also play a critical role in enabling secure remote work and unified communications within enterprise networks. Employees stay connected remotely using VoIP, video conferencing and collaboration tools. SBCs secure voice and video data, handle traffic prioritization, and manage user authentication enabling remote workers to securely and reliably connect with their teams. This helps remote employees to work from anywhere without worrying about unsecured networks. 

• Role of SBCs in Service Provider Networks

Delivering optimum service quality is essential for telecom and internet service providers. SBCs optimize the routing and processing of VoIP calls, ensuring that customers always experience consistent, clear, and uninterrupted interactions, regardless of the network’s load. 

Moreover, SBCs protect service providers against fraud and abuse such as toll fraud and call hijacking. For instance, SBCs are capable of identifying and blocking unauthorized call attempts and fraudulent activities including unusual call volumes from specific locations or numbers. It’s of great benefit to service providers as they can prevent financial losses as well as maintain the trust of their customers. 

REVE SBC: Fortifying VoIP Security and Performance

With a deeper understanding of SBCs and their benefits, you’re now well-equipped to make a strategic decision about adding one to your network. At REVE, we are committed to empowering our clients with the knowledge they need about the telecommunications sector. We understand the disruptive impact of cyberattacks, which is why we are dedicated to sharing knowledge to help you safeguard your business. 

Our REVE Session Border Controller, is an advanced SBC solution that is engineered to offer protection and optimization to your networks. It is a powerful and scalable Class 4 Softswitch platform for communication service providers, that helps make IP wholesale business easily manageable and scalable.

SBC Benefits – Key Takeaway!

Many business organizations have traditional SBC deployments which often don’t meet the needs of modern day networks. If you too are considering the need to upgrade your SBC or go for a new deployment, our experts can help you make the right decision. 

Are you ready to take the next step? Schedule a call with our SBC experts today! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you need an SBC?

Session Border controllers offer various benefits for VoIP networks. This includes enhanced security, improved call quality, simplified network management, interoperability, and scalability. All these benefits make SBCs essential for VoIP communications.

Can SBCs be used with cloud-based VoIP solutions?

Yes, In fact, SBCs are often integrated into cloud communication services. By using SBCs with cloud-based VoIP solutions, SBCs can provide an additional layer of security, handle interoperability between cloud and on-premises systems as well as optimize call quality. With SBC deployment, enterprises can experience secure, clear, and reliable calls.

What is protocol translation in SBCs?

Protocol translation, or protocol interworking is a crucial function of SBCs which converts different signaling protocols between different devices and networks into a standard format, thus ensuring compatibility. This functionality of SBCs is important because it provides seamless communication even when other protocols are used.

Can SBCs reduce VoIP downtime?

Yes, SBCs can reduce VoIP downtime significantly. Session Border Controllers provide features like load balancing, redundancy, and failover that effectively maintain network availability even during failures or increased traffic. By rerouting calls to an alternative path or distributing the load across multiple servers, SBCs maintain continuous service and minimize service disruptions. 

What types of threats can SBCs prevent?

SBCs offer a shield against a wide range of threats including DoS attacks, DDoS attacks, Spoofing, call interception, toll fraud, denial of service, eavesdropping, and Man-in-the-Middle attacks. 

Are SBCs only for large enterprises?

No, SBCs are beneficial and valuable for organizations of all sizes. Whether a small company or a large enterprise, they can benefit from the security, quality optimization and interoperability features offered by SBCs. However, large organizations may require advanced features and scalability, smaller ones can benefit from SBCs with basic features. 

Can an SBC help with network scalability?

SBCs efficiently help with network scalability by handling increasing traffic volumes and supporting the addition of new users and devices. With features like load balancing, protocol translation, and resource management, SBCs make sure the network can grow and adapt to changing needs.

The post Benefits of Session Border Controller (SBC) in your Network appeared first on Revesoft Blog.

However, if you are not familiar with this technology, then this blog will provide you with comprehensive information to understand SIP trunking, how it works, and the benefits it can offer to businesses of different sizes. So let’s get started!

What is SIP Trunking?

SIP trunking is a communication technology that enables businesses to make and receive phone calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol, which is a standard protocol used to initiate, maintain, and terminate real-time communication sessions, such as voice and video calls, over the internet.

How does SIP Trunking Work?

The common steps of how calls are made using SIP trunking solutions are:

1. The first step is to select and signup with a SIP Trunk provider. Once done, the business will receive phone numbers and credentials from the provider to set up their connection with the provider’s network.
2. In the next step, the business configures its existing phone system with the SIP provider’s network by setting up SIP trunks using appropriate credentials and settings.
3. Now when a phone call is made or a phone number is dialed, it gets routed to the PBX which transmits the call to a SIP trunk on the provider’s network.
4. As a reply, the SIP trunk opens a VoIP session with the number, and the call is processed and established.
5. Then comes the call handling part, where the data is transmitted over the internet in real-time. To handle the call, various features such as call recording, call transfer, and call hold can be used.
6. Once the call is completed, the SIP trunk terminates the session.

Benefits of SIP Trunking

SIP is a powerful technology that offers numerous benefits to businesses regardless of their size. Here’s a list of some of the major benefits:

1. The very first benefit of SIP trunking is cost savings. This is because there is no physical equipment required in setting up the system, and installation cost is significantly reduced as compared to other solutions where cabling work is required. Businesses can simply make calls using the internet which is less expensive.
2. The next benefit of SIP trunking is scalability and flexibility. Phone lines can be added and removed as and when needed without any investment in additional hardware or software licenses. So it’s an ideal choice for growing companies or businesses that experience fluctuations in their call volumes.
3. Another key benefit of SIP trunking is its flexibility. It allows employees to make and receive calls using any device such as a laptop, mobile phone, tablet, etc., offering complete convenience to those working from remote locations.
4. When it comes to integrating other communication tools into the phone system to streamline communication and collaboration, SIP trunking lets businesses do so quite easily. This helps employees in working together and get things done effectively and efficiently.

SIP Trunking vs. Traditional Phone Lines

By now, it is clear that SIP trunking and traditional phone lines both provide a way for businesses to communicate by making and receiving phone calls. Both these technologies have their certain advantages and disadvantages, as mentioned below:

Transmission

Traditional phone lines use a physical connection typically copper wires to transmit voice data over PSTN. This physical connection is limited by the number of available wires, which is a costly process. In terms of functionality, traditional phone lines offer only limited features such as call forwarding and caller ID.

On the other side, SIP trunking makes use of the internet to transmit voice data eliminating the need for hardware and wires. There is flexibility in the number of lines used and is certainly cost-effective. In terms of features, there is a much wider range as compared to traditional lines. 

Scalability

This is another factor where SIP trunking beats the traditional lines. Through SIP trunking, businesses can scale up and down by adding and removing SIP trunks to align with the changing demands of their business. For remote workers, this proves to be a great advantage as they can connect with the phone system by having access to a strong internet connection. However, traditional lines have fixed capacity. To scale up, additional physical phone lines must be added which again adds to the cost and takes time.

Configuration

When it comes to the ease of configuration, SIP trunking is certainly better than traditional phone lines. SIP trunks can be configured using web-based portals and wizards, however traditional; phone lines require manual installation which needs high expertise and more time.

Reliability

This is a parameter where traditional lines are ahead of the SIP trunking. This is because SIP trunking works over the internet, so if the internet connection is slow or unreliable then it can cause result in poor quality of service of the phone system. Traditional lines are less susceptible to issues like internet outages, power outages, etc.

SIP Trunking vs Cloud PBX: Which Is Right for Your Business?

It is true that both SIP trunking and Cloud PBX are popular solutions used by businesses to fulfill their communication needs. While both technologies offer reliable and efficient communication, there are some key factors that differentiate these from one another, as mentioned below:

SIP Trunking solutions connect business phone systems to the public switched telephone networks over the internet. With this, businesses are able to take advantage of internet-based communication, such as lower investment. Through SIP trunking, communication technologies like instant messaging and video conferencing can be integrated into the PBX.

On the other side, Cloud PBX is a unified communication phone system that is hosted in the internet cloud, rather than on-site. In simple words, a business doesn’t need to invest in expensive equipment and installation to set up and run its phone system. Cloud PBX offers features such as voicemail, call forwarding, etc.

Are you still thinking about which option is the right choice for your business? Well, here are some points to help you:

Cost

In cloud PBX, a business doesn’t need to invest in PBX servers because the service provider takes care of that. Now, that the phone system runs over the internet cloud and you don’t need to buy any extensive hardware, your initial setup cost is saved. This can be as low as several hundred dollars.

In the case of SIP trunking, your savings depends on the on-premise PBX that you already have. So if your equipment is really outdated and then you might have to invest in buying a new one. Also, you may need to pay for the VoIP gateway along with any installation or configuration charges.

Key Takeaway- If you don’t currently have a PBX, Cloud PBX services will be the better option. But if you have one, then you must consider the benefits of SIP trunking. A lot of your equipment can be reused which will save you significant money on your current PBX bill.

Technical Expertise and Maintenance

In the case of Cloud PBX, your service provider will be handling the maintenance of the server and software. Also, technical challenges such as outages and disruptions are on their part. So you don’t need to make any investment in all these activities.

In the case of SIP trunking, the PBX is locally installed, which means servers are stored on your premises. So you’ll need a team of IT experts to look after the equipment along with the tasks of updates and troubleshooting.

Key Takeaway – Your ultimate objective is to establish a stable business phone system and to achieve that any investment would be worthwhile as long as it guarantees high quality of service.

Size of the Business

Hosted PBX services are generally considered a good option for companies with a lesser number of employees. Those startups and small-sized businesses, say up to 20, can avail of high-quality phone services by opting for hosted PBX services.

Now, when it comes to organizations that have more employees and are growing rapidly, it is always a better option to go for SIP trunking

Key Takeaway – Figure out your current employee count along with the planned number of employees. Also, consider whether you currently own a PBX system or not.

Call Quality

With cloud PBX, the call quality depends largely on the internet connection. Unstable connections and outages can badly affect the quality of your calls.

However, in the case of SIP trunking, a business can use a dedicated line or have a backup connection that they can switch to whenever required. The only thing to ensure here is that always choose a provider that uses a Tier-1 carrier network to experience the highest possible call quality.

Key Takeaway – Analyze your internet connection and the volume of calls to choose the right option.

Security

As with other activities, security is also looked after by the service provider when we talk about hosted or cloud PBX. So as a business, you depend on your service provider for the security of your PBX. If you are in good hands, then there’s nothing to worry about.

In the case of SIP trunking, you can expect superior security. The security of your Phone setup will depend upon your own security policies and how well you are able to maintain them.

Key Takeaway – Analyze other factors such as your staff size and budget before making a decision.

Future of SIP Trunking

As a matter of fact, the future of SIP trunking looks highly promising. More and more companies are switching to VoIP solutions like SIP trunks as their primary mode of communication. This is because of the tremendous advances in cloud computing technology allowing businesses to leverage several benefits including lower costs and increased functionalities. In addition to this, state-of-the-art security measures add to the reliability of these services thus inducing confidence among the organizations to utilize them without worrying about data breaches and cyber attacks on their networks.

And there’s even more! The consistent incorporation of new functionalities offers more flexibility in managing communication across an organization or its different global locations, thus making them more appealing to businesses looking for a comprehensive yet economical telephony solution, today as well as in the future!

How to Choose the Best SIP Trunking Provider?

If you are looking forward to selecting the best SIP trunking provider for your business, it is advisable to consider these factors:

Features

Look out for advanced features such as call routing, auto-attendant, call recording, etc., from your SIP trunk provider. You can also ask them for customization and integrations in terms of features that can benefit your business.

Reliability

A business cannot survive in the market if it does not offer reliable solutions. So make sure you opt for reliable services that guarantee minimal downtime. To ensure this, you can check the Service Level Agreement of your provider.

Price

The cost of the service is an important aspect that you should not ignore. Ask your provider about the cost of calling, monthly charges, setup fee, and if there are any other hidden charges.

Scalability

Certainly, you want to avail services from a provider who can handle your current call volume needs and can also scale up and down in the future according to the requirements of your business.

Support

Initially, the need for support services from your provider may not appear essential, but you should not miss this step. Rather, go with a provider that offers 24/7 support and an instant response time.

You can consider these factors and compare different SIP trunking providers to shortlist a few and then finalize the most appropriate one.

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

Importance of a Session Border Controller in SIP Trunking

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Neighbor Spoofing is a common example of spoofed calling where robocallers display a number similar to the receiver’s caller ID. This is done to increase the chances that the target will answer the call.

What is the Role of STIR / SHAKEN in Combating Spoofed Calls?

STIR stands for Secure Telephony Identity Revisited and SHAKEN stands for Secure Handling of Asserted information using toKENs. STIR/SHAKEN is a suite of protocols and procedures designed to reduce fraudulent robocalls and illegal phone number spoofing.

STIR vs SHAKEN : What’s the Difference?

STIR is basically the set of protocols used to create a digital signature for a call. It focuses on end devices and allows verification of the signature. SHAKEN addresses the deployment which means it focuses on how STIR can be implemented within carrier networks.

How does STIR / SHAKEN Work?

STIR/SHAKEN makes use of digital certificates which are based on common public cryptographic keys to define the authenticity of a phone number. Here’s how it works:

1. When a call gets initiated, the originating service provider receives an SIP INVITE.
2. This originating service provider then checks the source of the call and its phone number to determine how to attest its validity which is one from the following three levels:

Full Attestation (A) – Full Attestation means the service provider has established a verified association with the telephone number of the calling party.

Partial Attestation (B) – This means that the service provider approved the authentication for the origin of the call i.e. the customer but has not established a verified association with the phone number used for making the call.

Gateway Attestation (C) – This is when the service provider has authenticated the entry point of the call or from where it received the call, but not the source of the call.

3. Now an SIP Identity header is created by the originating service provider. This SIP identity header contains information on the call origin, calling number, called number, current timestamp, and level of attestation.
4. The SIP INVITE with the SIP Identity header is sent to the terminating service provider.
5. The SIP INVITE with Identity Header is passed on to the verification service.
6. The verification service obtains the digital certificate from the public certificate repository and starts its multi-step verification process. If all the verification steps gets completed, then it is declared that the number has not been spoofed.
7. The results are returned to the terminating service provider.

Deploying SBCs with STIR/SHAKEN to Prevent Unwanted Robocalling

Deployment of Session Border Controllers is one of the most effectual ways to combat robocalling through STIR/SHAKEN technology. REVE SBC is a powerful and scalable platform that has been adopted by several communication service providers to ensure that their network remains robust and resilient to robocalls as well as various frauds that happen in the telecom industry. Read our post on Telecom Fraud Management to identify and prevent telecom frauds in real-time.

Conclusion

Now it is clear that STIR and SHAKEN are call authentication standards that provide a secure way to validate a caller’s identity and stop illegal caller ID spoofing. If you are looking for SBCs with STIR/SHAKEN solutions, then please get in touch with us.

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

SIP/VoIP Fraud Attacks: Why Operators Need a Reliable Solution? 

Prevent Spoofed Robocalls with STIR/SHAKEN

IPsec or Internet Protocol Security

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According to a survey released by Mobileum Inc. (“Mobileum”), it has been found that 75% of operators polled were experiencing new or emerging incidents of fraud and 61% said network security threats increased significantly with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report even provides data about the types of fraud loss in which IRSF and Traffic pumping incur to $6.69 billion and $4.54 billion respectively in 2021.

With these numbers, it becomes evident that to manage the pervasive threat of telco fraud, industry providers must have an effective fraud management approach that defends businesses and consumers.

What is Fraud Management in Telecom?

Frauds are not a new thing in the telecom industry – they have always been there. Technology is changing at a fast pace, and so are telecom fraud tactics. Fraudsters formulate new ways or simply tweak the existing methods to abuse telecommunications products and services. Their ultimate intention is to use services for free or illegally acquire money from CSPs or end users. High frequency, multiple layers of anonymity, and global nature help attackers to remain undetected.

An effective Telecom Fraud Detection Management process is a critical element in determining the success of a telecommunication company. Such a mechanism is important to detect and prevent fraudulent activities which can cause revenue losses.  There are different types of telecommunication fraud that need to be addressed and handled by these mechanisms. Before we discuss this in detail, let us first take a look at the most common types of telecom fraud that one should know about.

Types of Telecom Fraud

Based on the target of the attackers, telecom frauds can be divided into two categories – Telcos and end users. Some of the major frauds that affect both carriers and end users are as mentioned below:

IRSF: International Revenue Share Fraud

IRSF is one of the biggest fraud challenges for Telcos. In a report by CFCA, Revenue Share Fraud accounts for a $4 billion to $6.1 billion loss to the telecom industry. In this type of fraud attempt, the attackers take advantage of premium phone rates. Here’s how it happens:

• The attacker leases a premium phone number.
• The attacker then breaks into a business’s phone system and makes multiple calls to the premium rate number. Generally, these calls are made for a long duration to increase the phone bill.
• Huge phone bills are generated and paid by the business, 25% of which goes into the pockets of the attackers.

These calls are generally made outside a business’s working hours. Most of the time, companies do not realize that they have been attacked unless the time to pay the phone bill arrives.

Call Forwarding Fraud

Call Forward fraud is a sophisticated form of telecommunication fraud. Attackers first hack access to the PBX system or IVR (Interactive Voice Response) of an enterprise. Then they configure call forwarding to a premium long-distance number. Once done, the attacker calls the phone number of the hacked PBX system which forwards the call to the premium number. Here the attacker earns profit from IRSF.

Wangiri Fraud

It is also known as ‘One Ring and Cut’ Fraud. Wangiri is a Japanese word that means one and cut. It’s a telephone scam that aims at striking curiosity among customers by calling from premium rate numbers. Each call is made to ring only once and is hung up. Thus, leaving a missed call on the recipient’s phone. The recipient often calls back without knowing that it’s a premium rate number controlled by fraudsters.

Interconnect Bypass Fraud

Also known as Toll Bypass Fraud or GSM Gateway Fraud, these types of frauds are executed by routing unauthorized traffic to a local operator via Sim Box or GSM Gateway. This is done so that the call terminates with the local operators and thus the expensive international interconnect gets replaced with an extremely low-cost routing channel. The bad actors thus earn the cost difference.

Wholesale SIP Trunking Fraud

In this type of fraud, the fraudsters make money by selling wholesale trunking services. The fraudsters use stolen credentials to terminate calls. Usually, a huge number of random calls are generated by fraudsters where destinations are not high cost but are not low cost either. This is how it is executed:

1. The attacker steals the subscriber’s username and password
2. Attacker’s softswitch registers with the service provider’s softswitch using stolen credentials
3. A legitimate user places a call
4. The attacker sends INVITE to the service provider’s softswitch
5. Softswitch routes call to an international long-distance destination

Wholesale SIP trunking fraud is often difficult to detect. This is because the call patterns in these frauds look similar to normal subscriber usage.

Subscription Frauds

This type of fraud is executed by obtaining stolen identities (KYC documents) of customers from phishing attacks or purchasing from the dark web. Customer information is used to sign up for new telecom contracts and use their products and service but without the intention of paying them. It has been estimated that almost 40% of bad debts are actually subscription frauds.

How to Identify Fraud in Telecom?

Traditional Approaches to telecom fraud detection are based on the blacklisting of fraud phone numbers. But today attackers can simply bypass such detection by changing their phone numbers using VoIP.  Some of the most common techniques for telecom fraud detection are:

1. Collison Checks – Here the time period between two calls done by the same subscriber is checked for not colliding with a previously specified window.
2. Velocity Checks – These types of frauds are detected by checking the GIS data to detect the distance between two locations and the delta time between the calls made by the same subscriber.
3. New Subscriber Checks – In this type, false information is provided by the subscriber as he doesn’t intend to pay for the services used. Phonetic matches in the subscriber’s name are looked for in telecom fraud detection.
4. Patten Checks – Here specific patterns in the user activities are looked upon. This is a powerful method and can be used to detect multiple types of fraud.
5. Profile Checks – The calling pattern of the users is monitored and updated on their profile. Any unusual calling behavior may indicate fraud.

Best Practices for Telecom Fraud Prevention

We all know that prevention is better than cure. The same saying applies to the telecom fraud prevention scenario. Though attackers would always formulate new ways to penetrate into the systems, one should follow a proactive approach to fight telecom frauds. There are some golden countermeasures MNOs and MVNOs should always follow telecom fraud prevention. You can also read our post on SIP/VoIP Fraud Attacks

Here you go:

Password Protection

Always make sure that your software systems are protected with strong passwords, preferably a combination of alphanumeric characters. Also, it is important to change passwords periodically.

Monitoring PBX Systems

The most appropriate time for attackers to execute their attacks is after business hours, on weekends, and on holidays. Thus during these times, it becomes more important to monitor PBX systems for any unusual activities.

Clear the Clutter

Often we tend to keep old files in our systems that are of no use. But it is crucial to clear out all the junk files and folders from the system and deactivate unused features such as extensions.

Validate & Authenticate

For a business, it is critical to cross-check and validate the details of its subscribers so as to filter out the fake ones. Also, applying 2 factor or multi-factor authentication is also an additional step towards ensuring security.

Keep an Eye on Expenditures

By doing a smart analysis of how much expenditure typically happens in a month, a business can keep a watch on any fraudulent activity. Many companies don’t do this, but tracking your expenses can help deter telecom scammers.

Use Security Software

Security software plays a crucial role in covering all grounds when it comes to security. Using intelligent security software like REVE Session Border Controller is a wise idea to keep telecom attacks at bay. REVE SBC is a Carrier-grade Cloud SBC that safeguards software switches from various types of attacks including DoS i.e. Denial of Service Attacks. It also includes intelligent firewall and state-of-the-art encryption techniques to protect a business from theft of service. Learn more about session border controller vendors.

Wish to learn more about Telecom Fraud Prevention? Just get in touch with our team to get the best security solutions.

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

An Overview of Session Border Controller

How to Prevent Spoofed Robocalls with STIR/SHAKEN

Note- This post has been updated with the latest information on 21-04-2023.

The post Telecom Fraud Management: How to Identify and Prevent Fraud in Real Time? appeared first on Revesoft Blog.