An Adaptive Policy-Based Approach to SPIT Management

Voice over IP (VoIP) is a key enabling technology; which provides new ways of communication. VoIP technologies take advantage of existing data networks to provide inexpensive voice communications worldwide as a promising alternative to the traditional telephone service. At the same time, VoIP provides the means for transmitting bulk unsolicited calls, namely SPam over Internet Telephony (SPIT). SPIT is, up to a given extend, similar to email spam. However, it is expected to be more frustrating because of the real-time processing requirements of voice calls. In this paper we set the foundations of an adaptive approach that handles SPIT through a policy-based management approach (aSPM). aSPM incorporates a set of rules for SPIT attacks detections, together with appropriate actions and controls that should be enforced so as to counter these attacks. Furthermore; the policy is formally described through an XML schema, which refers to both, the attack detection rules, and the corresponding defense actions.