Standards group raises bar on VoIP security

The Voice over IP Security Alliance (VoIPSA) has formed a working group to set security standards for new VoIP products.

The Security Requirements committee is one of five groups set up to initiate new standards. Other committees will cover research, testing, best practice and education.

"VoIPSA projects are managed using a collaborative, consensus-based process where leadership arises from the skills and contributions of individual participants," said the organisation in a statement.

"The short-term projects for developing a threat taxonomy and defining security requirements will feed into the newly formed committees."

VoIPSA is an open group of companies set up last month to deal with security concerns. Some 50 companies have signed up, including MCI, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Samsung.

The organisation also announced the election of its first board, with David Endler, of network security device vendor Tipping Point, as chairman. New member BorderWare will be chairing the Security Requirements committee.

"As a leader in securing internet communications, BorderWare welcomes the opportunity to work with the industry to identify and establish security requirements that will enable the widespread adoption of VoIP," said John Alsop, chairman of BorderWare.