FaceTime and Skype partner on enterprise policy enforcement

FaceTime Communications said it’s partnering with Skype to add control over Skype IP-based voice services for use in enterprise networks through the FaceTime Internet Security Edition product for managing endpoint policies and gateway security.

According to FaceTime and Skype, the main challenge to managing Skype use in an enterprise through FaceTime Internet Security Edition relates to the fact that Skype IP-based voice services are always encrypted. Since encrypted traffic presents an obstacle to recognizing it, Skype provided FaceTime with a set of APIs that can be used to recognize and control Skype traffic.

“With the hooks we’ve delivered to the market, you can enforce controls,” said Jon Christensen, senior executive at Skype.

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FaceTime Communications said it’s partnering with Skype to add control over Skype IP-based voice services for use in enterprise networks through the FaceTime Internet Security Edition product for managing endpoint policies and gateway security.

According to FaceTime and Skype, the main challenge to managing Skype use in an enterprise through FaceTime Internet Security Edition relates to the fact that Skype IP-based voice services are always encrypted. Since encrypted traffic presents an obstacle to recognizing it, Skype provided FaceTime with a set of APIs that can be used to recognize and control Skype traffic.

“With the hooks we’ve delivered to the market, you can enforce controls,” said Jon Christensen, senior executive at Skype.

According to Kurt Sauer, Skype’s chief security officer, 33% of Skype’s users in North America are using Skype for business purposes. Skype claims to have 171 million registered user worldwide.