Category: Technical Posts

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What is SCRAM Authentication Type?

In the previous blog article (Basic and Digest Authentication Types) we have started reviewing authentication types . This time we will focus on SCRAM which is a family of HTTP authentication mechanisms.

XMPP supports plaintext, digest password exchanges and also SCRAM (Salted Challenge Response Authentication Mechanism). SCRAM introduces advantages over Digest, since it allows the server to store password hashes in an irreversible format.

This feature protects against offline attacks on the password and user database. The client can also save a hash-only version of the password, making it more difficult for attackers (who may have access to the PC where the password is stored) to understand the password in plaintext format.

Furthermore, SCRAM protects from man-in-the-middle attacks when certificates are used. This is done by allowing the server to prove to the client that, not only is the certificate signed by a CA (Certification Authority), but that it also knows the password.

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Basic and Digest Authentication Types

Authentication is the process in which the system identifies logged in users from unauthorized users. The effectiveness of this process is determined by the authentication protocols and mechanisms being used. In this article we will start reviewing authentication types that are used to verify the identities of users and decide whether they are really secure or not.

Basic HTTP

The first version of SIP used Basic HTTP authentication. This system is fairly easy to access using man-in-the-middle attacks. This type of authentication has been depreciating for some time now.

In HTTP authentication, an attacker can simply capture a packet containing the password and base64 encoded, which is then used to decode and perform attacks.

Not secure, indeed.

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Introducing Unified Communications Security

Security is a serious topic and, unfortunately, it is either overlooked, exposing organizations to risks, or incorrectly addressed through cumbersome solutions. In the series of blog articles I will try to shed light on what you should pay attention to, in terms of security, when choosing a UC solution.

Notwithstanding all the advantages of a UC solution, there is one important prejudice against its adoption: security concerns.

There is a widespread belief that VoIP solutions based on SIP are not secure, and that their usage must be blocked, or at least limited to local networks (eventually extended by VPNs).

Nothing could be further from reality. Well-developed and deployed VoIP solutions that are based on SIP and XMPP are actually more secure than traditional communications.

How did the prejudice start and spread?

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Hospitality software Integrations via FIAS

This time we will talk about integrations with hospitality management systems via FIAS network protocol.

FIAS

As we saw in the blog article Vertical Solutions for Retail, Education, Hospitality, Healthcare, integration with hospitality software automates operations such as:

  • Check-ins / check-outs
  • Minibar charges
  • Call charges
  • Room status updates
  • Do-not-disturb status updates

The most popular PMS systems support a TCP network protocol called FIAS, which allows integration with PBX / UC systems. FIAS was developed by Micros (now Oracle) to allow communication between its PMS Fidelio and external systems such as PBXs, Keys Management Systems, and PoS.

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Monitoring and analyzing the UC system history

In this blog article we will examine which tools are available for monitoring and analyzing the communication history of the system.

The UC system typically provides one or more of the following resources:

  • CDR (Call Data Record) – information about calls
  • Call Groups / Queue Logs – or other specific logs
  • Syslog – information about the system
  • Chat / geolocation logs

This information can be used by our application and integrated with the UC server to perform a specific monitoring and analysis or show reports.

Syslog

It is important to troubleshoot any technical issues that might arise.

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