What is a session border controller? A session border controller, or SBC, is installed at the perimeter of a network or “border” to control communications (such as voice calls, video conferences, desktop sharing, etc.) that take place on a service provider IP (internet protocol) network. An SBC is designed to secure a session initiation protocol, otherwise referred to as SIP, which identifies when other parties are present and is responsible for establishing a connection, maintaining the connection, and terminating it when a session is finished. It does this by sending messages via data packets between SIP addresses or IP endpoints. An SBC also ensures that different SIPs are able to flawlessly work together. Without SBCs, systems may be unable to communicate effectively with other systems. SBCs are therefore considered indispensable when it comes to maintaining well-functioning IP communications.
If an organization were to dismiss incorporating an SBC, they would be at a huge disadvantage by leaving their systems open to security risks.
Cyber attackers are devising new ways every day to attack systems. With the threat landscape becoming more and more vulnerable, session border controllers have become essential to preventing and eliminating threats as well as to keeping your organization’s systems securely protected. You need session border controllers to manage fraud and service theft. Additionally, spoofing (a tactic used to disguise a communication from an unknown source as being from a trusted source) can be averted using SBCs. Moreover, DDoS attacks, which typically flood a server or an SBC with requests, can be easily detected. Registration storms (when millions of devices in a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) network attempt to register with a SIP server all at the same time) can also be minimized by having an SBC system in place.
A session border controller works by monitoring and controlling a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) network system when a call is initiated, is in progress, or has ended. Session border controllers have two main functions: security and interoperability. Because VoIP networks are targets for malicious activity and firewalls are not enough to provide complete protection, having an SBC adds additional security and has increased awareness of SIP signaling. With this extra layer of security, SBC can prevent intruders and block them when attempts are made to attack video and audio streams. Without an SBC, your VoIP system can be compromised and it becomes easier for attackers to steal sensitive identification information, eavesdrop, carry out a DDoS attack, initiate fraud, or tamper with a session.
A session border controller also works by using interoperability, acting as a facilitator to make sure SIPs work seamlessly with one another and sitting at the border between two packet-based networks. Interoperability is also necessary to normalize signalling stream headers and messages. SBC is a crucial network element that works in conjunction with VoIP as well as SIP in order to address safety concerns and improve connectivity.
Using session border controllers provides organizations with many benefits, including:
Beyond security, which is the main feature of session border controllers, SBCs have many other features that make them a worthwhile investment. These include:
If an organization were to dismiss incorporating an SBC, they would be at a huge disadvantage by leaving their systems open to security risks.
Cyber attackers are devising new ways every day to attack systems. With the threat landscape becoming more and more vulnerable, session border controllers have become essential to preventing and eliminating threats as well as to keeping your organization’s systems securely protected. You need session border controllers to manage fraud and service theft. Additionally, spoofing (a tactic used to disguise a communication from an unknown source as being from a trusted source) can be averted using SBCs. Moreover, DDoS attacks, which typically flood a server or an SBC with requests, can be easily detected. Registration storms (when millions of devices in a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) network attempt to register with a SIP server all at the same time) can also be minimized by having an SBC system in place.
A session border controller works by monitoring and controlling a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) network system when a call is initiated, is in progress, or has ended. Session border controllers have two main functions: security and interoperability. Because VoIP networks are targets for malicious activity and firewalls are not enough to provide complete protection, having an SBC adds additional security and has increased awareness of SIP signaling. With this extra layer of security, SBC can prevent intruders and block them when attempts are made to attack video and audio streams. Without an SBC, your VoIP system can be compromised and it becomes easier for attackers to steal sensitive identification information, eavesdrop, carry out a DDoS attack, initiate fraud, or tamper with a session.
A session border controller also works by using interoperability, acting as a facilitator to make sure SIPs work seamlessly with one another and sitting at the border between two packet-based networks. Interoperability is also necessary to normalize signalling stream headers and messages. SBC is a crucial network element that works in conjunction with VoIP as well as SIP in order to address safety concerns and improve connectivity.
Using session border controllers provides organizations with many benefits, including:
Beyond security, which is the main feature of session border controllers, SBCs have many other features that make them a worthwhile investment. These include: