The incredible evolution of communication technology has revolutionized our lives! Thanks to advancements like VoIP and Unified Communications, safeguarding transmitted data and information over the Internet has never been more crucial. Session Border Controllers (SBCs) and Firewalls are vital in ensuring this security and protection. Let us review some basics of SBC and firewall before jumping to our main content, SBC vs Firewall.

What is an SBC?

Session Border Controllers (SBC) are crucial in ensuring security and managing phone calls and sessions within communication networks. They are hardware devices or software applications positioned at the network edges to protect and ensure smooth SIP-initiated communications. 

An SBC ensures high-quality calls and smooth communication between two users without any hindrance or language barrier. SBCs provide your network with multiple features and functions, enhancing connectivity and communication.

Key features of SBC

SBC provides your network with many features and functions that distinguish it from any firewall.

• Encryption and Decryption – SBC provides proper encryption and decryption for data routing through your network, ensuring security from various cyber-attacks. 
• Quality of Service – QoS means enabling your network to offer Quality service to your customers by establishing and ensuring robust communication measures.
• NAT Traversal – NAT traversal is a protocol that converts traffic routing in any private network to the Internet 
• Load Balancing – SBC eliminates unnecessary traffic causing hindrance to the data being routed over the network. 
• Fail-Overs – The device diverts the traffic from the primary network server to the proxy based on the availability and health of servers.
• Regulatory Compliant – SBCs ensure your network security and save you from reputational damage and violation charges by enforcing standard rules and regulations, making your network regulatory-compliant. 

Use Case or Applications

Businesses and enterprises are widely adopting SBC-integrated VoIP and SIP-based communication solutions to ensure security and prevent attacks, enabling smooth and collaborative communication in the workplace, whether in Healthcare, Business phone service, Online gaming, or other industries. 

What is a Firewall?

Have you ever thought a firewall means a wall that protects your home from fire? Well, then, you are quite right and slightly wrong. A firewall protects your network against external threats and attacks that can prove malicious or corrupt for the data stored or shared. 

Key Features of Firewall in any network

Let’s talk about some firewall roles that provide primary security for your communication network.

• Packet Filtering – A firewall allows and blocks packet routing over the internet by filtering and keeping track of IP addresses.
  
• Stateful Firewall – A stateful firewall keeps track of active network connections while analyzing incoming traffic to the network.
• Proxy Service – A proxy firewall is considered the most secure form because it prevents networks from directly connecting to other systems.
• Virtua Private Network (VPN) – VPN establishes a connection between your computer or a virtually hosted private network. 

Use Cases and Applications

Firewalls are essential to network security in personal and enterprise communication networks. Many devices, including Mac, Windows, and Linux, have built-in firewalls. They ensure threat defense, traffic filtering, and packet control and blocking.

Importance of understanding their roles in network security

A firewall is a network security device that blocks incoming and outgoing uncertain traffic. On the other hand, an SBC manages sessions initiated in any network and decides whether to allow them based on specific configurations and rules. 

Key Differences between SBC and Firewall

Though SBC and firewalls are used for security purposes, some specific parameters still distinguish them.

Do I need both SBC and Firewall?

Will you entrust your home just to the eyes of your security guard? Of course not!!! You will get CCTV and Digital Locks installed to ensure robust security measures. Then why opt for one among SBC and Firewall?

SBCs act as both a firewall and a proxy server, but exposing your SBC to untrusted networks without a firewall is often risky. The SBC validates VoIP traffic and eliminates packets that might exploit your network, such as caller ID spoofing or pseudo-calling on VoIP communication solutions, whereas the firewall filters unnecessary traffic access.

Evolving Landscape of Network Security

As technology advances, so does the landscape of network security. Excitingly, we now have several options for ensuring network security in VoIP and other multimedia exchange communications. At Ecosmob, we offer customizable SBC infrastructures tailored to your network communication needs. Our collaborative communication solutions can elevate connectivity and revolutionize your approach to communication in this rapidly evolving technological era.

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