Introduction:
Receiving calls from unknown numbers and deciding whether to answer has become a universal challenge due to the prevalence of robocalls and Caller ID spoofing. These intrusive practices not only waste time but also pose risks of exposing personal information and potential monetary loss. To combat this issue, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated the implementation of STIR/SHAKEN by voice service providers in the United States. In this article, we delve into an overview of STIR/SHAKEN, exploring its mechanisms, importance, and how it contributes to curbing illegal robocalls and caller ID spoofing.
What is STIR/SHAKEN?
STIR/SHAKEN is a comprehensive framework of technical protocols and implementation procedures utilized by originating service providers to authenticate a caller's identity (Caller ID). It also empowers terminating service providers to verify Caller ID, thereby reducing the risk of fraudulent robocalls. STIR/SHAKEN plays a crucial role in restoring trust in phone calls by minimizing illegal Caller ID spoofing.
STIR and SHAKEN, though distinct, collaborate to achieve a common goal. STIR (Secure Telephony Identity Revisited) is a protocol developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to provide a digital signature with accurate calling party credentials. SHAKEN (Secure Handling of Asserted Information Using Tokens) is the applied framework that deploys STIR within carrier networks, enabling service providers to authenticate and verify calls made over an IP network.
How Does STIR/SHAKEN Work?
The STIR/SHAKEN process involves eight key steps, leveraging key cryptography standards to authenticate IP phone calls. These steps include attestation level assignment, adding certificate information to the SIP Identity Header, verification service validation, and ultimately, the intended recipient receiving the call.
Importance of STIR/SHAKEN:
1. Minimizes Potential Fraud: STIR/SHAKEN addresses the need to protect consumers from potential fraud, reducing the risk of illegitimate activities such as spoofing credit card validation services. The framework aims to combat a projected $40 billion loss to robocall scammers by the end of 2022.
2. Reduces Robocalls: STIR/SHAKEN is designed to specifically decrease the number of robocalls with spoofed Caller ID, enhancing legitimate business productivity by preventing consumers from answering spam calls.
3. Protects Business Reputation: Service providers benefit from STIR/SHAKEN by offering safer, more controlled, and transparent services to customers, thus safeguarding their business reputation.
What STIR/SHAKEN Can and Can't Do:
While STIR/SHAKEN is a significant step in the right direction, it does not provide a foolproof solution to identify and eliminate bad actors. It can reduce the number of robocalls with spoofed Caller ID, but service providers should implement additional security measures such as personalized call screening tools and call blocking lists to further protect consumers.
Mitigating Robocalls with peeringhub.io Solutions:
peeringhub.io offers two STIR/SHAKEN solutions—hosted STIR/SHAKEN as a Service (S/SaaS) and the peeringhub.io Secure Telephone Identity solution. These solutions provide comprehensive authentication, signing, verification, and certificate management services, empowering service providers to combat illegal robocalls effectively.
Conclusion:
STIR/SHAKEN is a critical tool in the ongoing fight against robocalls and caller ID spoofing. While it offers substantial benefits, service providers should complement it with additional security measures to stay ahead of evolving threats. peeringhub.io's STIR/SHAKEN solutions provide a proactive strategy and advanced technology to protect consumers and restore trust in the validity of caller ID.
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