In the past several decades, the rise of telecommunication services has been accompanied by an unfortunate surge in illegal robocalls and fraudulent activities. To combat these issues and restore trust in phone communications, the telecommunications industry has implemented STIR (Secure Telephony Identity Revisited) and SHAKEN (Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using toKENs) standards. STIR and SHAKEN standards have become integral to the protection of consumers, businesses, and the integrity of the phone network as a safe form of communication.

At Prescott-Martini, LLC, we specialize in STIR-SHAKEN solutions including verified ANIs and digital tokens, ensuring security and peace of mind for our clients. Continue reading to learn various applications of STIR and SHAKEN standards and why they are essential.

1. Revealing false caller ID

Caller ID spoofing is a technique used by scammers and telemarketers to deceive individuals into answering or trusting calls. By falsifying the caller's identity, they exploit the trust we place in familiar or legitimate phone numbers. STIR and SHAKEN standards play a crucial role in combating this fraudulent practice. They establish a framework for verifying the authenticity of caller identification information, ensuring that the caller's identity is accurately transmitted and displayed on the recipient's phone.

2. Confirming the legitimacy of phone calls

The implementation of STIR and SHAKEN standards brings transparency and reliability to phone calls. By leveraging cryptographic digital signatures, these standards enable service providers to attest to the authenticity of calls originating from their networks. The recipient's service provider can then validate the caller's identity by verifying the digital signature. This process instills confidence in the caller's legitimacy, allowing individuals to make informed decisions when answering calls, thus reducing the risk of falling victim to scams or fraudulent activities. Individuals who rely on phone communications to transmit sensitive information can enjoy peace of mind with these standards in place.

3. Mitigating robocalls and scams

Robocalls, often associated with unwanted automated messages or fraudulent schemes, have become a major nuisance and a significant threat to consumer trust. STIR and SHAKEN standards provide an effective mechanism for combating these unwanted calls. By implementing call authentication, service providers can differentiate legitimate calls from fraudulent ones, thereby empowering individuals to filter or block suspicious calls. This serves as a crucial deterrent, minimizing the effectiveness of illegal robocalls and helping individuals regain control of their communication channels.

4. Protecting business reputations

The impact of fraudulent telecommunications extends far beyond individual victims. Businesses also suffer reputational damage when their phone numbers are maliciously exploited by scammers. STIR and SHAKEN standards offer a defense mechanism for organizations, enabling them to assert their phone number's authenticity and protect their reputation. By implementing these standards, businesses can safeguard their customers' trust, preserve brand integrity, and reduce the likelihood of their phone numbers being used for illicit purposes.

5. Global standardization

The significance of STIR and SHAKEN standards goes beyond a single country or service provider. To combat the global nature of illegal call activities, international collaboration and standardization are crucial. The adoption of STIR and SHAKEN facilitates interoperability among different telecommunication networks and service providers worldwide. As more countries and organizations embrace these standards, the effectiveness of call authentication increases, and the global community moves closer to establishing a secure and trustworthy global telephony framework.

STIR and SHAKEN standards play a pivotal role in restoring trust, enhancing call authenticity, and mitigating the detrimental effects of caller ID spoofing, robocalls, and scams. By implementing these standards, the telecommunications industry takes a significant step forward in protecting consumers, preserving business reputations, and fostering a secure and reliable phone network. Contact our team at Prescott-Martini, LLC today to learn more about our STIR-SHAKEN solutions.