When your business uses Voice over IP (VoIP) phone systems, it's important to consider how the security of these systems fits into your overall information security management. Including VoIP security within your ISO 27001 scope means recognising that phone communications and the underlying technology are part of your organisation's information assets and risks. This helps ensure you manage threats like eavesdropping, call fraud, or service disruption in a structured way aligned with your wider security policies.
Why this matters for UK SMEs
VoIP systems connect your staff, customers, and suppliers, so any disruption or breach can have direct business impacts. For example, if your VoIP service is compromised, attackers might listen in on confidential calls, impersonate your business to commit fraud, or cause downtime that stops your team taking calls. This can damage customer trust, interrupt sales or support, and even risk non-compliance with data protection rules like UK GDPR or the Data Protection Act 2018, especially if personal data is discussed or stored via your phone system.
A typical scenario
Consider a UK SME with around 50 employees using a cloud-based VoIP system. Without proper security controls, attackers exploit weak passwords on the VoIP admin portal to reroute calls to premium-rate numbers, leading to unexpected bills and financial loss. The business also suffers from call outages while the issue is fixed, frustrating customers and staff. A managed IT provider familiar with ISO 27001 would help by ensuring VoIP access is tightly controlled, multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enabled, call logs are monitored for unusual activity, and incident response plans include VoIP-specific steps.
Practical checklist for including VoIP security in ISO 27001 scope
- Ask your IT provider: How do you secure VoIP systems? Do you enforce strong authentication and restrict admin access?
- Review SLAs and proposals: Check for guarantees on uptime, incident response times, and security monitoring specific to VoIP.
- Internal checks: Verify who has admin access to your VoIP platform and whether MFA is enabled.
- Logging and monitoring: Ensure call records and access logs are retained and reviewed regularly for anomalies.
- Patch management: Confirm your VoIP system and any associated hardware or software are kept up to date with security patches.
- Backup and recovery: Include VoIP configuration and data in your regular backup routines to support quick restoration after incidents.
- Supplier assurance: If using third-party VoIP providers, request evidence of their security certifications or compliance with standards like Cyber Essentials Plus.
Next steps
Including VoIP security within your ISO 27001 scope helps you manage risks in a consistent and auditable way, supporting business continuity and compliance. Speak with a trusted managed IT provider or IT advisor who understands both VoIP technology and UK security standards. They can help you assess your current setup, identify gaps, and implement controls that protect your phone systems alongside your wider IT environment.