Amidst the dynamic symphony of the digital age, businesses are enmeshed in an unending duel with an army of cyber threats. Illuminating this battleground, Mutare’s Voice Network Threat Survey brings to the forefront the growing threat of Unwanted Voice Traffic and its pervasive impact on enterprises worldwide. Tapping into the collective wisdom of more than 300 responses from IT and security industry experts, the annual survey embarks on a journey to uncover the true dimensions of the issue and the strategies deployed to thwart this burgeoning menace.
The Voice Network, a critical element of every organization’s IT infrastructure, remains the cornerstone of every organization’s IT infrastructure. Despite the rise of newer collaboration tools and applications, it remains the preferred and trusted choice for effective communication. Cybercriminals rely on human interaction to exploit this vulnerability, leaving businesses susceptible to voice-based attacks.
A Daunting Challenge for Businesses
Voice-related cyber threats have become a pressing challenge for businesses. Unwanted Voice Traffic includes robocalls, spoof calls, scam calls and more. The survey reveals that 100% of respondents have experienced negative impacts from these voice threats via their business phones. This continuous onslaught of unwanted calls leaves business leaders feeling frustrated and cautious, with nearly 25% admitting they refuse to answer their business phones altogether.
Despite the growing awareness of the problem, though, uncertainty looms large among industry professionals. While 85% of respondents believe it is time to elevate Voice as a threat vector, the survey indicates that nearly one in four participants are unaware of their company’s efforts to combat this unwanted voice traffic. Additionally, more than 30% of respondents are unsure about the extent of the unwanted calls they receive, indicating the lack of accurate measurements in dealing with the issue.
With limited use of proactive, technical solutions for voice security and voice threat defense, businesses face challenges in safeguarding their communication channels. This lack of a robust defense mechanism further exacerbates the problem and leaves businesses struggling to address the issue effectively.
A Top Cybersecurity Concern
The 2023 Voice Network Threat Survey highlights the need for immediate action. While there has been some improvement in awareness from the previous year’s survey, uncertainty remains a significant theme. Businesses must allocate dedicated resources and integrate voice security measures into their threat defense programs. Employee training is essential, but it is not enough on its own to combat the growing menace of voice threats.
The urgency to protect the voice network and elevate it as a critical threat vector cannot be understated. Without comprehensive protective measures, enterprises risk falling behind in the face of relentless voice-based cyber threats. The time has come for businesses to invest in the necessary measures and stay ahead in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.
The Voice Network Threat Survey delivers a clear message about the severity of unwanted voice traffic and its impact on businesses. With cybercriminals employing various tactics to exploit voice communications, organizations must act swiftly to protect their critical communication channels.
Uncertainty among industry professionals demands a more proactive approach, combining technical solutions with comprehensive employee training. By elevating voice as a critical threat vector and investing in dedicated resources, businesses can better defend against voice-related cyber threats and safeguard their vital communication infrastructure.