Secure cell phone conference calling

Cellcrypt announced that it has launched a secure conference service that provides both device authentication and voice call encryption to participants using popular cell phones like BlackBerry and Nokia smartphones.

Traditional conference calling services are open to abuse through unauthorized access. Where access security is in place for conference calls, it is often poorly managed with dial-in details and PINs seldom changing. A commonly reported scenario is for ex-employees to continue to access regular conference calls or pass details to unauthorized personnel.

Furthermore, as participants have become more dispersed, they often access conference calls using cell phones, which are increasingly at risk of interception.

The Cellcrypt Secure Conference Service both authenticates the participant’s cell phone and encrypts conversations end-to-end between each participant and the conference bridge. The conference calling service is easy-to-use, with participants simply selecting a bridge number from their Cellcrypt Mobile enabled Blackberry or Nokia smartphone to enter the call. Office phones can also securely participate in conference calls when connected via thecompany’s Enterprise Gateway solution.

Organizations can manage conference calls using a simple web console to define all users that may access the conferencing service, create bridge numbers, define policies such as user white lists and additional access PINs. Optionally, a bridge may allow access from selected public payphone using Caller ID and PINs for authentication in geographies where the threat of interception is regarded as controlled (the call segments from public telephones are not encrypted).

The service builds on the company’s existing solutions that provide encrypted voice calls on cell phones, such as BlackBerry and Nokia smartphones. Utilizing the IP data channel it supports all major wireless networks, Wi-Fi and satellite. Encryption is government-grade and certified to FIPS 140-2 standard by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology.