Secure communications uses numerous features and protocols to protect access to and the transmissions from Avaya communications systems. Avaya uses media encryption to ensure privacy for the voice stream. Alongside media encryption, integrated signaling security protects and authenticates messages to all connected SIP elements, IP telephones, and gateways, and minimizes an attacker's ability to tamper with confidential call information. These features protect sensitive information like caller and called party numbers, user authorization, barrier codes, sensitive credit card numbers, and other personal information that is keyed in during calls to banks or automated retailers.