Combatting Caller ID Spoofing: PeeringHub's STIR/SHAKEN Solution

In today's digital age, the rise of fraudulent activities, particularly in the form of robocalls and caller ID spoofing, has become a significant concern for individuals and businesses alike. To combat this issue and restore trust in telephone communication, innovative technologies such as STIR/SHAKEN have emerged. One prominent player in this field is PeeringHub, a leading provider of communication solutions. In this blog post, we will delve into PeeringHub's STIR/SHAKEN solution and explore how it is playing a crucial role in safeguarding communication networks against call fraud.

Understanding the Threat:

Before diving into the solution, let's take a moment to understand the threat posed by call fraud. Caller ID spoofing, where scammers manipulate the caller ID to appear as a legitimate entity, has become a common tactic for fraudsters. They use this technique to deceive individuals into answering calls, ultimately leading to financial scams, identity theft, or other malicious activities. Traditional methods of call blocking and filtering have proven ineffective, as fraudsters constantly find new ways to evade detection.

Enter STIR/SHAKEN:

STIR/SHAKEN (Secure Telephone Identity Revisited/Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs) is a framework developed to combat caller ID spoofing and restore trust in phone calls. The system works by digitally authenticating and verifying caller information, ensuring that the displayed caller ID is legitimate. PeeringHub has integrated this solution into its network infrastructure, providing a robust defense against call fraud.

How PeeringHub STIR/SHAKEN Works:

PeeringHub's STIR/SHAKEN solution relies on a collaborative effort between service providers to verify the authenticity of calls. It operates on two key principles: STIR and SHAKEN.

1. STIR (Secure Telephone Identity Revisited):

STIR involves the authentication of calls at the originating service provider's end. This is achieved by digitally signing the caller's identity, using cryptographic certificates and private keys. The signature acts as proof that the call has not been tampered with during transmission.

2. SHAKEN (Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs):

SHAKEN comes into play at the receiving service provider's end. It verifies the authenticity of the call by validating the digital signature attached to the caller's identity. If the signature is valid, the call is marked as "verified" or "authenticated." If the signature is missing or invalid, the call may be flagged as suspicious or potentially fraudulent.

Benefits of PeeringHub STIR/SHAKEN:

Implementing PeeringHub's STIR/SHAKEN solution brings several significant benefits to the table:

1. Call Authentication: By digitally signing and verifying caller information, PeeringHub STIR/SHAKEN ensures that the caller ID displayed to recipients accurately represents the calling party.

2. Fraud Detection and Mitigation: The framework enables service providers to identify and block fraudulent calls more effectively, reducing the risk of falling victim to scams and fraudulent activities.

3. Enhanced Trust: With the assurance of verified calls, recipients can have increased confidence in answering unknown numbers, leading to improved communication and reduced missed opportunities.

4. Industry Compliance: STIR/SHAKEN has gained widespread recognition and adoption as a standard for call authentication. By implementing PeeringHub's solution, service providers can ensure compliance with industry regulations and requirements.

Conclusion:

The rise of call fraud and caller ID spoofing has prompted the development of innovative solutions such as STIR/SHAKEN. PeeringHub's STIR/SHAKEN solution plays a crucial role in safeguarding communication networks against call fraud by implementing a robust and collaborative approach to authentication and verification. By leveraging this technology, service providers can enhance trust, mitigate fraud, and ensure compliance with industry standards, ultimately creating a safer and more reliable communication ecosystem for all.