Networking World: How much encryption is 'enough' for VoIP?

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: STEVE TAYLOR AND LARRY HETTICK ON
CONVERGENCE
06/22/05
Today's focus: How much encryption is 'enough' for VoIP?

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Perception persists that encryption is needed for VoIP
* Links related to Convergence
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: How much encryption is 'enough' for VoIP?

By Steve Taylor and Larry Hettick

Whenever the topic of VoIP arises, security continues to be a
burning issue. For some reason there is a perception that VoIP,
whether transmitted over the Internet or not, is inherently
unsecure. For that reason, there likewise seems to be a
perceived need for end-to-end encryption of the conversation.

While we agree that there is doubtlessly a need for an extremely
secure infrastructure when implementing VoIP, we remain a bit
puzzled as to why people think they need to encrypt the content
of the conversation itself.

This is little historical precedence for encrypting telephony.
With the exception of highly secure needs, such as those of the
military and intelligence communities, traditional telephony is
seldom, if ever, encrypted. The entire digital hierarchy is
built on increments of 64K bit/sec DS-0s, each containing one
unencrypted digital telephony conversation using Pulse Code
Modulation. A T-1 (or DS-1) circuit was designed to carry 24
unencrypted phone calls, and a T-3 (or DS-3) was designed to
carry 28 T-1s.

In fact, when we checked with a traditional voice service
provider, we were informed that encryption of voice traffic was
generally not a concern and an issue that customers seldom asked
about.

In fact, we'll argue here that if anything, there is too much
encryption of VoIP traffic. Why? It's easy to encrypt IP traffic
using techniques like IPSec and SSL, so any IP-based traffic -
like VoIP - can be encrypted with minimal effort. In fact, many
free or almost-free VoIP applications even encrypt traffic by
default. Our concern here is that this readily available
encryption makes lawful and appropriate monitoring of traffic
for national security and law enforcement much more difficult
than it should be.

Bottom line: Use encryption where it's important. But don't
assume that encryption is an absolute necessity for a successful
VoIP implementation.

Are you using encryption for your VoIP traffic? Why or why not?
Let us hear from you and we'll summarize the feedback that we
receive.

RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS

Users eye wireless voice/data unification
Network World, 06/20/05
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/062005-vowi-fi.html?rl

Entuity adds VoIP, blade server management to software
Network World, 06/20/05
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/062005-entuity.html?rl
_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Steve Taylor and Larry Hettick

Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates
and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. For more detailed
information on most of the topics discussed in this newsletter,
connect to Webtorials <http://www.webtorials.com/>, the premier
site for Web-based educational presentations, white papers, and
market research. Taylor can be reached at
<mailto:taylor@webtorials.com>

Larry Hettick an industry veteran with over 20 years of
experience in voice and data. He is currently Vice President
for Wireline Solutions at Current Analysis, the leading
competitive response solutions company. He can be reached at
<mailto:larry@larryhettick.com>
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This newsletter is sponsored by Concord Communications
Network World Executive Guide: The Evolution of Management
Technologies

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Wednesday, June 22, 2005

How much encryption is 'enough' for VoIP?

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