If you’ve ever been bombarded by robocalls or spam calls, you know how annoying they can be. But did you know there is a technology to help stop them? It’s called STIR/SHAKEN, and it’s the new standard for authenticating phone calls.

You may have seen the term “STIR/SHAKEN thrown around in various conversations about robocalls and wondered what it was all about. ‘Stir-Shaken’ is a framework developed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help protect consumers from receiving unwanted calls. But does Stir-Shaken actually help stop robocalls? Let’s dive in and find out!

STIR/SHAKEN Robocall Reduction Explained

What is STIR/SHAKEN?

STIR/SHAKEN is a framework that helps authenticate caller ID numbers so that phone carriers can verify whether or not the number appearing on your caller ID is legit.

Stir-Shaken stands for Secure Telephone Identity Revisited – Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using Tokens (STIR/SHAKEN). This technology has been designed to combat spoofing, when scammers mask their actual phone numbers with fake ones to make it appear as if they are calling from a legitimate business or organization.

STIR/SHAKEN operates on three principles: attestations, certificates, and signed assertions. Attestations are digital signatures assigned to each call by its originating carrier to assure authenticity. Certificates are digital credentials issued by carriers that confirm the validity of these signatures, while signed assertions are sent along with each call as part of an authentication process that verifies its origin. When all three elements are combined, they form a robust system for authenticating all incoming calls before they reach their destination, making it more difficult for robocalls to send out fraudulent calls.

With STIR/SHAKEN, phone carriers can tell whether or not the number appearing on your caller ID matches the one associated with the call. If it doesn't match, then the carrier will know that it's likely a spoofed number being used by a scammer.

How Does It Work?

The process begins when a caller initiates a call. Their telephone service provider will use cryptographic certificates to create a digital signature that verifies their identity. This signature is transmitted with the call as it travels through the network and arrives at its destination. The recipient's telephone service provider will then authenticate the call using the same cryptographic certificates used by the sender's carrier. This allows them to verify that the call comes from a legitimate source, not a fraudulent one.

Does STIR/SHAKEN Actually Help Stop Robocalls?

The short answer is yes, but there are some caveats. First, the STIR/SHAKEN framework must be fully implemented by all major phone carriers before it can be truly effective at stopping robocalls. So far, only AT&T and Comcast have implemented the framework across their networks—others have yet to catch up. Secondly, even with this technology in place, some scammers may still find ways around it—so don’t become complacent just because you know there’s a system to help protect you from robocalls. Finally, while this technology is great for helping identify spoofed numbers on landlines and mobile phones, it doesn't do much for VoIP services like Skype or Google Voice—so keep that in mind if you use those services for making and receiving calls.

Consult the Professionals for STIR/SHAKEN Robocall Reduction Implementation

The main benefit of STIR/SHAKEN is that it provides better protection against the illegal robocalling activity, leading to a more secure phone experience for consumers. The protocol also ensures that all parties involved in making and receiving calls—including businesses, government agencies, healthcare providers, etc.—can do so with confidence, knowing that their communications are secure and cannot be intercepted or manipulated by malicious actors. Implementing STIR / SHAKEN and call authentication policies doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. For expert guidance on implementation, get in touch with Prescott-Martini, an authorized STIR / SHAKEN national solutions provider.