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Communications systems
ASD ISMISM-1562

ASD ISM 1562 Secure video conferencing and telephony systems

What it says

Video conferencing and IP telephony infrastructure is hardened.

Quoted as published. Everything else on this page is written by Control Stack.

What it means

In plain English

Ensure video and IP telephony systems are secured against threats.

This control is about making sure your video conferencing and phone systems that use the internet are safe from hackers and other online threats. It's important because if these systems aren't protected, sensitive conversations about your business could be intercepted, recorded, or disrupted by malicious actors, causing harm to your reputation and operations.

Why it matters

If conferencing or IP telephony isn't hardened, attackers can intercept calls or hijack meetings, exposing sensitive discussions and damaging trust.

How to implement

  1. The IT team should conduct a security assessment of current video conferencing and telephony systems.

    They can do this by reviewing existing configurations and checking for updates or patches that need to be applied. Use available tools or engage a security expert to identify vulnerabilities.

  2. System administrators should ensure encryption is enabled on all video calls and internet-based phone lines.

    They can do this by configuring the system settings to use encryption protocols, such as end-to-end encryption, that block unauthorised access to conversations.

  3. The office manager should organise training sessions for staff on secure usage practices.

    This includes instructing users on not sharing meeting links in public forums, using strong passwords, and recognising suspicious activity during calls.

  4. Procurement should review service agreements with video conferencing and telephony providers.

    They need to verify that vendors adhere to industry security standards and have a clear process for security updates and breach notifications.

  5. The IT team should implement network segmentation for these systems.

    This involves setting up separate networks for video conferencing and telephony equipment, reducing the risk that a breach in one area impacts the entire network. They can do this by configuring firewalls and network policies accordingly.

Keep it running

Apply vendor patches and harden VoIP/video configs: enforce SRTP/TLS, disable unused services/default accounts, restrict admin access, and review SIP/call logs.

Evidence and audit

  1. Check 1 of 3What an auditor asks for

    Ask for

    The security assessment report: Request documentation showing a recent security assessment of the video and telephony systems.

    Look at

    How vulnerabilities were identified and addressed.

    Good evidence

    Will show identified risks that were mitigated promptly and effectively.

  2. Check 2 of 3What an auditor asks for

    Ask for

    Staff training records: Request evidence of security training sessions held for staff. Look through attendance records and training materials.

    Good evidence

    Outcome should show regular training with noted improvements or feedback from participants.

  3. Check 3 of 3What an auditor asks for

    Look at

    Adherence to best practices and explicit procedures for handling data breaches. Good contracts include specific security obligations and response times for threats.

Mappings

Closest match in ISO/IEC 27001: A.8.9, Configuration management for secure IT systems, which this control partially meets.

ISO 27001

ISO/IEC 27001: 2 mappings

Mappings show how controls relate across frameworks. They do not imply full equivalence or certification.