1. What is STIR/SHAKEN?
SHAKEN/STIR stands for Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using toKENs (SHAKEN) and the Secure Telephone Identity Revisited (STIR). They are industry standards for authenticating phone calls by using digital certificates with cryptography techniques to mitigate unwanted robocalls by reducing the impact of caller ID spoofing. The concept allows calls traveling through interconnected phone networks to have their caller ID “signed” as legitimate by originating carriers and validated by other carriers before reaching consumers. Each telephone service provider receives their own digital certificate from a trusted certificate authority to verify that the call is accurate and not spoofed. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is leading the push for industry adoption of these standards to help consumers as quickly as possible.
2. How does STIR/SHAKEN work?
2.1 The STIR (Secure Telephone Identity Revisited) and SHAKEN (Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs) standards create the framework to ensure every SIP-signaled call has a certificate and authenticity attached to it. The SIP headers capture information via the attestation field to authenticate the callers’ identity.
2.2 Full Attestation – The service provider has authenticated their customer originating the call and they are authorized to use the calling number. 2.3 Partial Attestation – The service provider has authenticated their customer originating the call but cannot verify they are authorized to use the calling number. 2.4 Gateway Attestation – The service provider has authenticated from where it received the call, but cannot authenticate the call source (ex: CALLSY NETWORK LLC call). Once the originating call is authenticated, the encrypted Identity header traverses the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and is then verified by the terminating carrier. The terminating carrier can then use the results of the verification to aid in the combatting of unwanted Robocalls while indicating to the called party that the caller ID has been verified and can be trusted to be accurate.
3. What is SHAKEN (not stirred)?
STIR determines whether a call is fraudulent and SHAKEN deals with the technology and strategy on how to route those calls. Basically, SHAKEN takes the information from STIR and provides the data to guide service provider networks on how to best reduce robocalls.
4. Will SHAKEN work for international calls?
Currently, it’s only been implemented in the U.S. and Canada, but SHAKEN is designed to be used in international calls once other countries adopt SHAKEN.
5. How is CALLSY NETWORK LLC involved with STIR/SHAKEN?
CALLSY NETWORK LLC own redundant, low latency, high-quality voice, reliable network infrastructure and technologies are fully updated and compliant with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) SHAKEN/STIR standards. In addition, CALLSY NETWORK LLC has implemented even more measures that go beyond those standards with its interactive voice response technology (IVR) called CALLSY NETWORK LLC, which enables customers to have a better option than just blocking. CALLSY NETWORK LLC takes it a step further to mitigate robocalls. CALLSY NETWORK LLC provides simple recorded messaging that asks callers to enter commands, such as “please press 2” to verify the caller is human. This eliminates the need for your business’ customer service or sales representatives wasting time with unwanted calls, and ensures your business’ inbound call data isn’t skewed with spam calls.
6. Why did CALLSY NETWORK LLC Implement these new standards and how does it work?
It’s critical for customers to trust the in their received calls. STIR industry standards are designed to provide proof calls are legitimate by confirming callers are who they say they are, while SHAKEN is how inbound calls are handled. As the originating provider or sender of the call, we need to ensure the call completes with a reliable provider to sign for the call, verifying the caller is authorized to use the number. When you’re the terminating provider receiving the call, it’s equally important for us to protect our customers from robocalls and determine call treatment accordingly. In partnership with Neustar, we have the tools to provide you with trust-enabling information allowing correct caller validation.
To shield customers from fraudulent calls and through the STIR/SHAKEN compliance process. Whether you want to sign your own calls or have Callsy sign calls for you, we’ll support our client’s efforts to verify and treat your calls. Our comprehensive solution offers flexible options with simple pricing to provide multiple levels of the STIR/SHAKEN support you require. Plus, they’re easy to implement and will keep you compliant.
To help instill calling customer confidence. CALLSY NETWORK LLC has enabled STIR/SHAKEN across all its IP calling products. This set of industry standards is designed to reduce spam robocalls, prevent the “spoofing” of Caller ID data and help businesses improve voice security.
7. In simple terms, CALLSY NETWORK LLC implemented this technology and standard to help our clients drive improved end-user call security and experience:
7.1 The benefits of trusted phone callsGet more “hellos” with the help of STIR/SHAKEN.
7.2 Robocall reductionIdentify inbound robocalls to your contact center and interactive voice response system.
7.3 Voice securityHelp customers know who’s really calling with trusted Caller ID data.
7.4 Standard expertiseFeel confident in solutions that are backed by federal and industry best practices.
7.5 Proven technologyUse the same security processes that already protect e-commerce websites.
7.6 Spam protectionIncrease customer answer rates by reducing the number of legitimate calls marked as spam.
7.7 Improved customer experienceLeverage automated voice authentication and extend voice self-service options