HBC Business IP Phone System Security Best Practices

HBC has designed your IP Business Phone System to be protected from abuse and hackers. In order to remain protected, it is essential that phones or equipment in the system are not moved/modified or relocated without coordinating any such changes with HBC.

Moving elements of the system without proper coordination can result in malicious actors gaining access to the calling capabilities of your system. More importantly, these sorts of changes can lead to outdated or inaccurate location being given to Public Safety Staff on 911 calls.

The following are measures you can take to protect your phone system from such intrusions and to prevent unexpected bills include the following:

• Password Protection: The first and easiest step is to make certain all users of the Call Management Portal (CommPortal), CommPortal BG (Business Group) Admin, and/or MaX UC softphone apps are using secure passwords and avoiding password sharing between end users. Our Wizards Technical Support can assist with password resets as needed.
• Physical Security: Network routers/switches should be located in a physically secure locations with access limited to appropriate staff. Consider restricted calling access for any phones placed in public areas.
• Block International Calls: You will be most fully protected from international calling phone fraud if you block all outbound international calls through your system. HBC blocks international calling by default unless requested in writing by the customer. International calling capabilities can be assigned to individual lines, limiting risks. A variety of other restrictions are available as needed. For more information, contact your Account Executive.
• Know Your Exposure: It is important to be aware that if you choose not to block outbound internal calls through your PBX and as a result charges accumulate on your account you will be responsible for those charges.

This information is provided to you to help our Business IP Phone customers combat international calling fraud and to keep their system safe. For more detail on how the scam works and protective steps or you can visit the FCC site.

Should you have questions, please contact your HBC Account Executive or Customer Care at (888) 474-9995.

Our goal is to help you protect your phone system.