Caller ID spoofing has become a significant challenge in modern telecommunications. Scammers and malicious actors frequently manipulate caller ID information to deceive recipients, leading to increased cases of fraud, identity theft, and consumer distrust. To combat this, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States introduced the STIR/SHAKEN protocols — a powerful framework designed to authenticate caller ID information and reduce spoofing incidents. For businesses relying on SIP trunking, implementing STIR/SHAKEN is essential for maintaining communication integrity and trust. In this blog, we’ll explore how STIR/SHAKEN works, why it’s crucial for SIP trunking, and how top SIP trunk providers can help businesses adopt these protocols to safeguard their communications.
What is Caller ID Spoofing?
Caller ID spoofing is a technique where a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to the caller ID display to mask their identity. Common signs of spoofing include:
- Receiving a call from a known number that doesn’t match the actual caller
- Robocalls or scam calls appearing as legitimate business numbers
- “Neighbor spoofing” — where the caller ID reflects a local area code to increase the chances of the call being answered
Spoofing is not only a nuisance but also a serious threat to personal and business security. Scammers use spoofing to commit fraud, extract sensitive information, and manipulate financial transactions.
Understanding STIR/SHAKEN Protocols
STIR/SHAKEN stands for:
- STIR: Secure Telephony Identity Revisited
- SHAKEN: Secure Handling of Asserted information using toKENs
These protocols work together to authenticate and verify the legitimacy of caller ID information.
How STIR/SHAKEN Works:
- Call Origination: When a call is initiated over a SIP trunk, the originating provider attaches a digital certificate to the call. This certificate confirms that the caller ID information is legitimate.
- Call Authentication: The digital certificate is verified using cryptographic signing.
- Call Termination: If the verification is successful, the call passes through with a verified caller ID; if it fails, the call is marked as “suspected spam” or blocked.
Why STIR/SHAKEN Matters for SIP Trunking
SIP trunking is the backbone of modern business communications, allowing businesses to transmit voice calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. However, SIP trunking is also vulnerable to spoofing due to the open nature of internet-based communication.
Top SIP trunk providers are increasingly adopting STIR/SHAKEN to:
- Ensure caller ID authenticity
- Protect customers from fraudulent calls
- Improve answer rates by reducing suspected spam
- Increase trust and credibility in business communications
Benefits of STIR/SHAKEN Implementation in SIP Trunking
1. Enhanced Call Trust and Credibility
When caller IDs are verified, customers are more likely to trust and answer calls. This increases business engagement and reduces the chances of important calls being ignored.
2. Reduced Fraud and Spoofing Attacks
Blocking illegitimate calls helps businesses avoid scams and identity theft. This also protects sensitive customer information.
3. Compliance with Regulatory Requirements
The FCC has mandated that all major telecom carriers in the U.S. implement STIR/SHAKEN protocols. Non-compliance can result in penalties and restricted access to carrier networks.
4. Improved Customer Experience
Reducing robocalls and spam ensures that customers receive only relevant and authentic communication from businesses.
5. Competitive Advantage for SIP Trunk Providers
SIP trunk providers that offer STIR/SHAKEN as part of their service package can position themselves as industry leaders and trusted communication partners.
Challenges in Implementing STIR/SHAKEN for SIP Trunking
While STIR/SHAKEN provides significant benefits, implementation can be complex due to:
- Interoperability issues: Not all telecom providers support STIR/SHAKEN uniformly.
- International calls: STIR/SHAKEN primarily applies to U.S.-based calls. Calls originating from or terminating in other countries may still face spoofing risks.
- Legacy Systems: Businesses using older PBX systems may require upgrades to enable STIR/SHAKEN compatibility.
Top SIP trunk providers address these challenges by:
- Offering pre-configured STIR/SHAKEN solutions
- Providing seamless integration with existing PBX and VoIP systems
- Ensuring end-to-end encryption and security
Best Practices for SIP Trunk Providers in STIR/SHAKEN Adoption
For SIP trunk providers to successfully implement STIR/SHAKEN and maximize its benefits, the following best practices are essential:
Partner with Certified Authorities
Ensure that digital certificates used for call authentication come from trusted authorities.
Educate Customers
Train business clients on how STIR/SHAKEN works and how it protects their communications.
Monitor and Optimize Performance
Regularly test and monitor call verification success rates to identify gaps and improve call delivery.
Integrate with Analytics Tools
Use call data and analytics to track call completion rates and minimize false positives.
Stay Updated with Regulatory Changes
Ensure compliance with changing industry standards and legal requirements related to call authentication.
How Top SIP Trunk Providers Are Leading the Way
Industry-leading SIP trunk providers are already setting the standard for STIR/SHAKEN adoption. For example:
- Bandwidth – Early adopter of STIR/SHAKEN and known for its high call verification rates.
- Twilio – Provides integrated STIR/SHAKEN solutions for business communications.
- Vonage – Offers real-time call verification and spam protection.
By choosing a SIP trunk provider that supports STIR/SHAKEN, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of caller ID spoofing and enhance the security of their communications.
Conclusion
Caller ID spoofing remains a major threat to business communications, but STIR/SHAKEN protocols offer a robust solution to this challenge. Implementing STIR/SHAKEN in SIP trunking helps businesses authenticate calls, reduce spam, and improve customer trust.
Top SIP trunking solution providers that embrace STIR/SHAKEN are positioning themselves as industry leaders, offering secure, reliable, and high-quality communication solutions. With the global SIP trunking market expected to grow, businesses must adopt secure measures to protect their phone calls and maintain credibility.
Organizations seeking to enhance their communication security should partner with SIP trunk providers that offer STIR/SHAKEN protocols, along with advanced SIP trunking features such as elastic SIP trunking service, inbound and outbound call management, and toll-free numbers. These features ensure seamless connectivity while enhancing caller authentication and trust.
If you’re looking for a trusted SIP trunking solution with STIR/SHAKEN support, now is the time to make the switch. Secure your communications, build customer trust, and ensure verified phone numbers with advanced authentication solutions.
