Secure telecommunications is essential to protect sensitive information exchanged in business conversations. There need not be any security holes, because there are encrypted/secure solutions available for each mode of communication. Computers need to run a firewall in order to keep intruders from searching your computer without your knowledge.

Another major area of concern is cell phones. Analog phone conversations are real easy to eavesdrop on, while digital phones are a little more difficult to intercept because a conversion back from a digital signal is required. This is still inadequate protection, which is why some vendors now sell voice-encrypting cell phones. If you are considering investing in a confidential communication system, use the following as a guide:

1. Use a firewall system to hide your communication ports from potential intruders.

2. Obtain a phone system or cell phone designed to secure your voice communications.

3. Acquire a secure video teleconferencing system to round out your confidential communication systems.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attain secure telecommunications via a firewall

A robust firewall is an essential part of a secure telecom system. You're not going to want to operate without a firewall in situations where networks handle mission-critical and sensitive processes and data or integrate video, voice and data services. You want to find a network system that embeds firewall security throughout the network and incorporates security services into its products.

I recommend: Cisco has a number of firewall systems to choose from, depending on the particular requirements of your network environment. Logic Supply also has very robust firewall systems that are very affordable for small- and medium-sized networks.

Employ and secure voice communication system to protect sensitive telephone conversations

When communicating over a phone line, make sure your communication is secure and that no one else is going to intercept your conversations. A secure voice communications system or confidential phones systems are the answer.

I recommend: General Dynamics C4 Systems has secure voice and data products that safeguard personal, tactical and strategic communications, while allowing for integration of personal communication devices with the network system. Gold-Rep's Sigillu sells Nokia cell phones and also Blackberries that have been converted to encrypted cell phones with Gold-Rep software. Your voice is protected with a mathematical formula that changes every second. They say it's impossible to crack, providing completely secure communications.

Protect your video teleconferencing conversations with confidential telecom systems

Video teleconferencing systems is another category of communication system that needs to be secured in order to protect sensitive communications in business or government.

I recommend: Engage Communication has a system that provides encrypted RS530 serial data over IP. This is perfect for secure LAN-to-LAN interconnect and secure video teleconferencing. It's also used in field command centers and in secure wireless bridge connections. Navastream provides secure/encrypted video teleconferencing systems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For two-party telephone conversations, a set of portable telephone scramblers will provide secure communications. No matter what kind of eavesdropping may be occurring, portable telephone scramblers only allow the sender and receiver to understand the communications. Both have to have the scrambler.