Challenges and Industry Efforts to Ensure STIR/SHAKEN Effectiveness

Why STIR/SHAKEN Isn't Fully Effective Yet

Incomplete Adoption

Partial Implementation

Not all carriers have fully implemented STIR/SHAKEN, leading to gaps in call authentication across networks. Smaller carriers and rural telecommunications providers may lack the resources to implement the framework.

International Calls

STIR/SHAKEN is primarily implemented in the United States and Canada. Calls originating from or terminating in countries without STIR/SHAKEN adoption remain vulnerable to spoofing.

Technical Limitations

Legacy Systems

Many legacy telephony systems and devices do not support STIR/SHAKEN, hindering the framework's effectiveness.

Interoperability Issues

Differences in network technologies and standards can lead to challenges in achieving seamless interoperability between carriers.

Operational Challenges

Verification Overhead

The process of verifying and authenticating each call introduces additional overhead and complexity in carrier networks.

Consumer Awareness

Many consumers are not yet aware of the enhanced caller ID features enabled by STIR/SHAKEN, limiting its impact on consumer behavior.

Fraudster Adaptation

Evasion Techniques

Fraudsters continuously develop new techniques to bypass STIR/SHAKEN, such as using compromised VoIP services or exploiting international call routes.

Industry Efforts to Enhance STIR/SHAKEN Effectiveness

Expanding Adoption and Coverage

Regulatory Mandates

Governments and regulatory bodies are mandating the adoption of STIR/SHAKEN across all carriers to ensure comprehensive coverage. For example, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States has set deadlines for all carriers to implement the framework.

Incentives for Smaller Carriers

Providing financial and technical assistance to smaller and rural carriers to facilitate their implementation of STIR/SHAKEN.

Technical Enhancements

Legacy System Integration

Developing solutions and upgrades to enable legacy systems to support STIR/SHAKEN, ensuring broader compatibility.

Standardization and Interoperability

Promoting the development and adoption of industry-wide standards to ensure seamless interoperability between different carrier networks and technologies.

Operational Improvements

Efficient Verification Processes

Streamlining the verification process to reduce overhead and improve call processing efficiency. This includes optimizing the use of PASSporT tokens and enhancing the performance of public key infrastructure (PKI) systems.

Consumer Education and Awareness

Launching public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the benefits of STIR/SHAKEN and the importance of answering authenticated calls.

Enhanced Fraud Detection and Prevention

Advanced Analytics

Implementing advanced analytics and machine learning techniques to detect and prevent new forms of call spoofing and fraud.

Collaboration and Information Sharing

Encouraging collaboration and information sharing among carriers, regulatory bodies, and industry groups to stay ahead of fraudsters and adapt to emerging threats.

International Cooperation

Global Standards

Working towards the development and adoption of global standards for call authentication to ensure international calls are also protected by STIR/SHAKEN-like frameworks.

Cross-Border Agreements

Establishing cross-border agreements and cooperation mechanisms to address call spoofing and fraud on an international scale.

Future Directions

Integration with Branded Caller ID

Enhanced User Experience

Combining STIR/SHAKEN with branded caller ID features to provide consumers with trusted and informative caller ID displays, enhancing their willingness to answer calls.

Industry Partnerships

Collaborating with brands and businesses to ensure their caller ID information is accurately and securely integrated into the STIR/SHAKEN framework.

Continuous Improvement and Adaptation

Ongoing Research and Development

Investing in ongoing research and development to improve the STIR/SHAKEN framework and address evolving challenges.

Agility and Responsiveness

Maintaining an agile and responsive approach to adapt quickly to new fraud techniques and technological advancements.

While STIR/SHAKEN has made significant progress in combating caller ID spoofing and enhancing call trustworthiness, several challenges remain that prevent it from being fully effective. The industry is actively addressing these challenges through regulatory mandates, technical enhancements, operational improvements, and international cooperation. By expanding adoption, improving interoperability, educating consumers, and staying ahead of fraudsters, the industry aims to ensure that STIR/SHAKEN becomes a robust solution that restores consumer confidence in answering phone calls.