Have you ever experienced robocalls or unwanted telemarketing calls on your phone, and wished you could stop them from coming in at all? Well, you’re not alone. The surge in voice-based scams and fraudulent calls has encouraged the federal government, telecommunications companies, and industry stakeholders to take matters into their own hands. One of the solutions that came out of these collaborative efforts is STIR/SHAKEN – a call authentification framework designed to combat illegal robocalls and spoofing. In this blog, we’ll explain what STIR/SHAKEN is all about, why it’s important, and how it can benefit both consumers and businesses.

All About the Stir Shaken Authentification Framework

STIR/SHAKEN stands for Secure Telephone Identity Revisited/Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using Tokens. This cryptic-sounding name refers to a technical protocol that allows phone carriers to verify the authenticity of the calls that travel across their networks. STIR/SHAKEN uses digital certificates that are unique to each phone number, and these certificates help verify the identity of the caller before the call gets connected to the recipient. Essentially, STIR/SHAKEN works by attaching an encrypted token to each call that verifies that the originating carrier has authorized the call, and that the number hasn’t been spoofed.

The way this works is that each originating carrier generates a digital signature that’s used to sign the calls they process. This signature is then verified by the recipient carrier, allowing them to confirm that the call is legitimate and hasn’t been spoofed. When a call has been verified successfully, the recipient carrier can then give the recipient device more information about the call, such as the caller ID and why the call is being made. This helps prevent scammers and fraudsters from using phony caller IDs to trick people into answering their calls.

Why a STIR/SHAKEN Authentification Framework So Critical?

Why is STIR/SHAKEN important, you ask? Well, for starters, robocalls are extremely annoying, and in some cases, they can even be dangerous. Scammers use robocalls to target vulnerable individuals, such as seniors or immigrants, and trick them into sharing sensitive information or giving away their hard-earned money. Robocalls can also be used to disseminate fake news or push political propaganda. By preventing robocalls and spoofed calls from getting through, STIR/SHAKEN can help reduce the incidence of phone scams and related crimes.

But that’s not all – STIR/SHAKEN can also benefit businesses that rely on phone communication to reach their customers. By providing more accurate caller ID information and reducing the incidence of spoofing, STIR/SHAKEN can help businesses build trust with their customers and improve their overall reputation. It can also help companies ensure compliance with relevant regulations, such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Furthermore, because STIR/SHAKEN is an industry-wide standard, it can help ensure intercarrier compatibility and reduce the incidence of fragmented or inconsistent call authentification.

Trust Prescott-Martini for Stir Shaken Authentification Frameworks

STIR/SHAKEN is a call authentication framework designed to combat illegal robocalls and spoofing. It uses digital certificates to verify the authenticity of each call that passes through a phone carrier’s network. STIR/SHAKEN can benefit both consumers and businesses by reducing the incidence of robocalls, improving caller ID information, and enabling regulatory compliance. As an industry-wide standard, STIR/SHAKEN can help ensure intercarrier compatibility and a consistent call authentification experience. For these reasons and more, it’s important for telecommunications companies and consumers alike to support the implementation and adoption of STIR/SHAKEN.

Prescott-Martini presents a state-of-the-art call fraud monitoring solution, leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI). Our advanced technology combines AI, machine learning, telecom analytics, database manipulation, and human oversight to provide unparalleled insights into your network. With a primary focus on fraud detection and compliance with STIR/SHAKEN regulations, Prescott-Martini offers the most advanced anti-fraud mitigation program available in the industry. Get in touch with us today to learn more about your options for protection.