In today's competitive market, high-quality customer interactions are essential for maintaining service standards. By integrating Plivo’s audio stream with AI-driven transcription and sentiment analysis, you can improve call quality monitoring. This blog showcases how you can utilize existing technologies to maintain exceptional customer experiences and service standards.

Why Call Quality Assurance Matters

For businesses that rely on live phone conversations, such as call centers and sales teams, monitoring call quality is essential. Identifying trends, analyzing sentiment, and pinpointing areas for improvement help evaluate agent performance, boost customer satisfaction, and drive business growth. However, traditional call quality analysis methods can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Integrating Plivo’s Audio Stream with AI-driven service

Plivo’s application offers a streamlined approach to call quality analysis by utilizing its audio stream capability. This feature, combined with AI-driven services for real-time transcription and sentiment analysis, automates significant aspects of the process. However, it is important to note that audio streaming alone does not encompass the entire call quality assurance, and should be integrated into a wider quality control framework.

For demonstration purposes, we will reference Amazon Transcribe and Amazon Comprehend to showcase the application’s capabilities, though any compatible AI service can be used.

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How It Works

Plivo’s application initiates a WebSocket for real-time audio streaming and transcription. Here’s a step-by-step overview of the process:

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1. Initiate a Call: A participant calls a phone number managed by Plivo.
2. Route the Call: The call is routed to the recipient through Plivo’s WebSocket, capturing the audio stream for transcription.
3. Transcription: The captured audio is transcribed in real-time by the selected transcription service.
4. Sentiment Analysis: Transcripts are sent to an AI-driven sentiment analysis service to gauge the emotional tone of the conversation.

Getting Started with Plivo’s Voice API

To deploy this solution, follow these steps:

1. Sign Up with Plivo: Create an account and procure a phone number via the API or console.
2. Set Up Your Application: Associate the number with an application that initiates calls and establishes audio streaming over the WebSocket. Use the sample code below as a reference:

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1. Integrate with AI Services: Follow Plivo’s audio stream integration guide on GitHub to set up your chosen transcription and sentiment analysis tools.‍
2. Test Your Setup: Dial the configured phone number to trigger the call, establish the audio stream, and observe the transcription and sentiment analysis in action.

Why Choose Plivo?

Plivo’s Voice API and audio streaming features are designed for flexibility and efficiency, making it easy to integrate with any AI-driven transcription and sentiment analysis services. This versatility ensures that you can customize the solution to fit your specific needs, enhancing your contact center’s quality assurance processes with advanced automation.

By leveraging Plivo’s application, you can automate call quality analysis, providing valuable insights that help improve agent performance and customer satisfaction. Get started today and take your contact center to the next level with Plivo’s powerful integration capabilities. For more details, explore our developer resources and start optimizing your customer interactions now. Happy analyzing!

Security is on everyone’s mind, and at PlivoCX, protecting your information is our highest priority. We want to earn your trust when it comes to keeping your data safe. As part of that commitment, we are pleased to announce that we’ve renewed our SOC 2 Type 2 certification, which incorporates controls relevant to HIPAA compliance.

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Validating Our Security Practices

SOC 2 Type 2 Certification

Our all-in-one CX suite simplifies marketing, automates customer service, and fuels growth — all while maintaining stringent security controls on sensitive customer information. This year, we renewed our SOC 2 Type 2 certification. The SOC 2 criteria validates our security processes to meet strict industry standards over time. Specific areas covered include:

• Regular communication of changes to customers
• Robust internal access control to production environments
• Thorough system monitoring and ongoing risk assessments
• Reliable disaster recovery, data backup measures, and system availability
• Responsive system and security monitoring and incident response processes
• Effective employee onboarding and termination processes

Plivo’s controls will continue to evolve to maintain the privacy and security of customer data and perfect our security systems.

HIPAA Compliance: A Shared Responsibility

For our healthcare clients, we provide HIPAA business associate agreements (BAA) to safeguard sensitive patient information in accordance with healthcare regulations. While our SOC 2 report encompasses controls pertinent to HIPAA, achieving full compliance is a shared responsibility, necessitating both CX Suite and our clients to diligently uphold their respective roles.

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Security as an Ongoing Effort

While compliance certifications are essential, we don’t see security as just a box to check. Our team is dedicated to continuously strengthening protections through more advanced systems, employee training, and industry best practices. We’ll keep you updated on our progress.

We’re proud of our team’s hard work over the past year, and we’ll continue striving to implement robust security measures and achieve accreditations.

Read more about our renewed SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, our security measures, and how we're continually protecting your data on our security page.

Your security is always our top priority. We appreciate your trust in us.

SMS notifications are the heart of business communication. From sending customer service updates, appointment reminders, order confirmations, event reminders, and marketing campaigns, to billing alerts, SMS notifications play a vital role in your communications strategy. 

With an average click-through rate of 20%-35%, and open rates averaging around 95% (compared to email’s 21%), it’s no surprise why more teams prefer SMS as a channel to communicate and engage with their customers. 

This guide will walk you through how SMS notification services work, their benefits for your business, and how to find the best SMS notification service for your business. 

What is an SMS notification service?

An SMS notification service is a platform that lets you send text messages to your customers instantly. Depending on the customer’s mobile device settings, they’ll receive this SMS text message notification on their cell phone’s messaging app, lock screen, or home screen. 

Here’s how it works: 

• Integrate an SMS API (Application Programming Interface) into your existing systems. 
• When a trigger event occurs (like a new order or an appointment reminder), the system communicates with the SMS gateway.
• The gateway then processes and sends the message to the customer's mobile network within seconds. 

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4 key benefits of an SMS notification system

Sending text messages to your customers helps you build meaningful connections and communities with your customers. It adds a useful dimension to your overall communications strategy. With SMS, you can reach customers where they’re most likely to engage (their phones), in ways that they want to connect (concisely and creatively). 

An SMS notification system makes sending text messages to your customers easier and faster — without exorbitant costs or development hassle. 

Let’s take a look at the core benefits of using an SMS notification system. 

• Instant communication with customers: A reliable SMS notification system allows you to send messages quickly and at scale helping you reach thousands of recipients at a relatively low cost. ‍
• High open and response rates: Do you have an exciting offer you want your customers to see as soon as possible? SMS is the best way to reach your audience in seconds.  ‍
• Cost-effective method of communication: SMS is a cost-effective way to reach customers at scale. Generally, the price of an SMS notification system depends on two factors: the tool's price and the number of messages sent per campaign. Many tools have fixed costs, although Plivo offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model. This option is great for small-to-medium businesses to connect with their customers affordably.‍
• Improved customer engagement and satisfaction: SMS notification systems allow you to deliver personalized text messages. Segment your audience based on who they are, what drives them, and how and why they shop. A dedicated SMS notification system can automate some of these complex backend functions. 

Why should you choose Plivo as your SMS notification system? 

Sending SMS is simple and affordable with Plivo. We’re trusted by thousands of businesses including IBM, Workday, Deckers, Greyhound, and Wix. Our SMS API platform programmatically sends and receives text messages to customers worldwide easily and efficiently. We support over 220 countries and territories, and let you customize your sender ID in 100 countries outside of the US and Canada. 

Plivo offers a number of powerful features out of the box: 

• Long message concatenation
• Support for any character set
• Default message body purging
• Message feedback API
• Handle opt-out intent
• Message queueing
• Number pooling
• Sticky sender
• Smart queuing 
• Message redaction

All of these features are designed to make it easier to create, manage, and optimize SMS with your audiences. See why Plivo outranks other SMS notification systems. 

1. Scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes

It shouldn’t be hard to connect with your customers as your business grows. Plivo is designed to meet your scaling needs, both from a cost and ease-of-use perspective. 

With Plivo, you can programmatically create personalized SMS alerts and notifications for any type of activity on customers’ accounts. Plivo’s RESTful API is easy to work with, and its syntax is familiar to developers who have experience with Twilio’s API. 

The SMS notification system doubles down on ease of use by offering Plivo High-Level Objects (PHLO). PHLO is a visual design studio that lets you build customized communication workflows for both SMS and voice with zero coding. 

The studio uses pre-built templates for tasks like IVR, voicemail, alerting, and surveys, so your development team isn’t bogged down with complicated technical details and is focused more on delivering the project at hand. 

Plivo offers flexible pricing plans and volume discounts, making SMS notification an extremely affordable option. 

2. Easy integration with existing systems

Plivo's SMS API is designed to integrate seamlessly into your existing applications. Whether you're using Java, C#, Python, PHP, Ruby, Node.js, or Golang, Plivo provides comprehensive server-side SDKs and detailed documentation to help you get started quickly.

The API uses consistent interfaces for creating, retrieving, updating, deleting, and listing resources. This consistency makes it easier to build and manage applications, with the ability to handle multiple SMS messages in a single API request.

Built-in support for GSM and Unicode character sets allows you to communicate in any language, including emojis and special characters. This feature ensures that your messages are correctly displayed to recipients globally.

3. Comprehensive analytics and reporting

When it comes to analytics, two things matter the most: what kind of data your tool collects and how well it distills that data so you can truly collect useful insights and make data-driven decisions. 

Plivo provides access to detailed SMS analytics for all your inbound and outbound messages including:

• Date: The time at which the message was queued in Plivo.
• From: The source number of the text message.
• To: The destination number of the text message.
• To country: Country ISO of the destination country.
• Direction: Message direction — Inbound or Outbound.
• Status: The current status of the message.
  Statuses for Outbound messages aresome text
  • Queued
  • Failed
  • Send
  • Delivered
  • Undelivered
• Statuses for Inbound messages aresome text
  • Received
  • Delivered
  • Undelivered
• Error reason: The reason for failure in cases where message status is Undelivered or Failed
• Total amount ($): Total amount charged for this message. This includes the carrier pass-through fees.

Using a combination of these filters, you can narrow your search to relevant messages. You can also download the message details as a CSV file to export to a third-party analytics tool. 

4. Optimize message delivery

If you want to send your messages across a group of phone numbers (long code and short code), you can use Plivo’s powerpack for SMS. Powerpack lets you create number pools that can be used to improve message delivery and boost open rates of your SMS and MMS campaigns.

Plus, it uses a sticky sender for a consistent experience. Engage with your customers using a recognizable phone number to deliver a personalized experience that integrates information from the customer’s history with your brand. 

Features like automatic smart queuing along with source number-based rate limiting keep you compliant with country-specific volume restrictions and related rate limits. It also lets you use local phone numbers because when you send messages from a local number, customers are more likely to open and respond to messages. 

How businesses use Plivo’s SMS notification services

Companies at different stages of growth use Plivo to build deeper relationships with customers. Our SMS platform gathers customer insights while empowering communication campaigns that boost customer acquisition and build customer loyalty. 

Here are some of the most common ways companies use Plivo: 

• Customer service updates: Companies use Plivo to send instant updates to customers about their service requests, ensuring they stay informed about the status of their queries or issues.
• Appointment reminders: Plivo helps businesses reduce no-shows by sending automated reminders to customers about their upcoming appointments, enhancing overall efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Marketing campaigns: Businesses use Plivo to run marketing campaigns, sending promotional messages, discounts, and special offers directly to customers’ mobile phones, driving engagement and sales.
• Emergency notifications: In urgent situations, organizations rely on Plivo to send emergency alerts to employees or customers, ensuring timely and reliable communication during critical times.

Ready to get started with SMS notifications for your business? Request a trial with Plivo.

There are dozens of call forwarding services available, with each promising seamless routing and efficient communication.  It's challenging to know which service is right for your needs. Many offer similar features and claim to deliver reliability and flexibility for your company. 

Choosing the wrong service can lead to missed calls, unhappy customers, and lost revenue. Not all call forwarding services are created equal—some lack proper integrations, others don't offer the level of customization you require, and many have confusing pricing structures.

In this guide, we'll share the seven call-forwarding services of 2024 that are best for most businesses. We'll walk you through their key features, pricing, and why each one stands out. With this information, you can confidently select and set up a call-forwarding service. But first: let’s dive into the ins and outs of how these services work.  

What is a call forwarding service?

A call forwarding service allows you to redirect incoming calls from one phone number to another number of your choice. It is particularly useful for businesses that have multiple phone lines or virtual teams spread across different locations. 

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Who uses call-forwarding software?

Call forwarding software is useful for businesses that need a better way to manage incoming calls. It helps customer service and sales teams ensure that incoming customer calls are always answered by the right person or department. For multi-location companies that need to route or redirect calls based on their location, call forwarding software is a critical part of their tech stack. 

Call forwarding software is often used in the following scenarios:

• When an agent is out in the field 
• When your team is off the clock
• When the intended point of contact is away from their desk 
• When a customer has a specific query

What features to look for in a call forwarding platform?

Call forwarding platforms should help your business work smarter, not harder. As such, look for some of these features when selecting a call-forwarding service. 

• Customizable call routing: It's critical to have the capacity to develop sophisticated call routing rules that meet your company's needs. Seek out call forwarding providers that offer customizable call routing choices, such as skills-based, location-based, or time-based routing.
• IVR and auto-attendant: Interactive voice response (IVR) menus and an auto-attendant function assist callers in reaching the proper person or department, reducing customer frustration and improving call performance outcomes. 
• Multi-channel support: Consider a call forwarding service that can handle email, chat, SMS, and phone calls in addition to voice calls. This coordinated dialogue
• Call recording and analytics: Call forwarding services that include call recording and analytics provide valuable insights into customer interactions and team performance. This data can be used to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven business decisions.

7 Best call forwarding services at a glance

The call-forwarding software space has incredible platforms, but some options stand out above the rest.  At a quick glance, here are the key features, free trial availability, and reviewer ratings of the top seven call forwarding services.

A deeper look: The top 7 call forwarding software providers

1 . Plivo

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5 

Plivo’s adaptable and feature-rich platform is one of the top-rated options for managing calls. Plivo’s Voice API provides programmatic control over call destinations, offering the flexibility to customize and manage how calls are routed. With this API, you can access: 

• Dynamic call routing: Adjust the call routing in real-time based on predefined rules, such as customer preferences, location, ring time, busy or unreachable lines, round-robin calling, or agent availability. For example, you can direct high-priority customers to specific support teams or agents. Or, if someone doesn’t pick up after 15 seconds, the call will automatically move to another representative. 
• Global reach: Route calls to numbers in over 220 countries, enabling seamless international communication without requiring complex setups.
• Failover mechanism: Implement a fallback routing system to ensure calls are always answered, even if the primary destination is unreachable.
• Interactive voice response (IVR): Create multi-level IVR systems to guide customers through automated menus and direct them to the right department based on their inputs.
• Recording and monitoring: Enable call recording for quality assurance or compliance purposes and monitor calls live to evaluate agent performance.
• Customized caller ID: Modify caller ID information to ensure a consistent and recognizable caller identity, increasing customer trust and engagement.
• Analytics and reporting: Access detailed call data and analytics to monitor call quality, duration, and routing effectiveness. Use these insights to optimize your communication strategies.

Plivo’s platform is geared towards enhancing not just efficiency but also the quality of interactions with customers through its sophisticated auto-attendant and IVR system. Additionally, its support for multiple communication channels and detailed analytics helps businesses keep their fingers on the pulse of their communication strategies.

Key features

• Customizable call routing
• Auto-attendant and IVR
• Multi-channel support
• Turnkey single-API solution 
• High deliverability
• Built-in fraud control 
• Call recording and analytics

Pricing 

Visit Plivo's website for detailed pricing information.

Free trial

Plivo offers a free trial period for users to test their services.

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2. Dialpad

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5 

Dialpad’s fast set-up process provides agents with tools to manage calls more effectively and connect with customers from anywhere. Dialpad automatically forwards incoming calls to a maximum of five phone numbers. You can set rules to forward phone calls from your Dialpad number to either your mobile device, a landline, or an accessible agent.

Beyond simple call forwarding, Dialpad provides a robust communications platform. It can route calls through its intelligent system or redirect them to voicemail when agents are unavailable. Moreover, its analytical tools offer insights into communication patterns, enabling businesses to refine their strategies and continuously enhance customer interactions.

Key features

• Multiple phone numbers per account
• AI-enabled sales intelligence tools like AI-assisted sales coaching, playbooks, and interaction scoring
• Unified AI collaboration platform with voice/video calling, messaging, and meeting capabilities
• 25 ring groups (departments)

Pricing 

• Standard plan: $15 per user/month
• Pro plan: $25 per user/month
• Enterprise plan: Contact Dialpad for a custom quote

Free trial

Dialpad offers a 14-day free trial for users to evaluate their services.

3. Grasshopper

G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5 

Grasshopper is a simple yet powerful call-forwarding service for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need an efficient way to manage calls. The platform is intuitively designed, making it easy for less tech-savvy users to enhance their professional presence and maintain customer connectivity. 

Compile a list of call-forwarding phone numbers while ensuring you are notified of incoming calls. Grasshopper offers the flexibility to customize your call schedule and designate specific phone numbers for forwarded calls. With different plans to accommodate growth and a mobile app for on-the-go management, Grasshopper scales with your business as it grows. 

Key features

• VoIP and Wifi calling
• Custom greetings
• User-friendly interface suitable for non-technical users
• Simultaneous call handling
• Mobile app for call and message management on the go

Pricing 

• Solo plan: $26 per user/month (one number + three extensions)
• Partner plan: $44 per user/month (three numbers + six extensions)
• Small business plan: $80 per user/month (five numbers + unlimited extensions)

Free trial

Grasshopper offers a seven-day free trial for users to try out their services.

4. GoTo Connect

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 

GoTo Connect is a great call-forwarding service option for small-scale or growth-stage startups. It offers a comprehensive platform that supports voice, video, and text across various devices. The call forwarding service includes automatic call attendance, chat, extensions, voicemail to audio email, SMS, and unlimited calls. 

Ideal for teams that operate both remotely and in-office, GoTo Connect ensures that every team member and client stays connected with features like HD video conferencing. It can accommodate up to 25 webcams or 250 people. Overall, the platform’s flexible pricing and ease of integration with other tools make it a preferred choice for businesses looking to streamline their communications without compromising on features or functionality.

Key features

• Unlimited users
• Unlimited call routing, automated attendants, and queues
• Unified communications across voice, video, and text
• Video meetings with up to 250 participants
• Flexible device compatibility for hybrid and remote team setups
• Easy integration with other business tools
• Scalable plan options from basic to premium features

Pricing 

• Basic plan: $24 per user/month
• Standard plan: $29 per user/month
• Premium plan: $43 per user/month

Free trial

GoTo Connect offers a 14-day free trial for users to test their services.

5. Talkdesk

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 

Talkdesk offers a range of features including the ability to forward calls to any phone, be it mobile, landline, or computer. This enables employees to work remotely and stay connected with their customers. Additionally, Talkdesk provides local and toll-free numbers that can be forwarded to agents anywhere, allowing businesses to expand their international presence. 

The platform also enables businesses to route calls to agents with specific skills or knowledge, ensuring that customers are always connected to the most appropriate agent for their needs. Finally, Talkdesk allows businesses to monitor forwarded calls for quality assurance while enabling workforce mobility. This helps businesses to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction and ensure that their employees are productive and engaged.

Key features

• Cloud-based call center functionality
• Advanced analytics and real-time reporting
• High scalability to handle varying call volumes
• Power dialer
• Outbound caller ID
• Data import and synchronization

Pricing 

• CX Cloud Essentials plan: $75 per user/month
• CX Cloud Elevate plan: $95 per user/month
• CX Cloud Elite plan: $125 per user/month

Free trial

Talkdesk does not offer a free trial.

6. RingCentral

G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5

RingCentral offers a comprehensive set of call-forwarding capabilities that ensure no important calls are missed. With RingCentral, you can improve the caller experience and increase agent responsiveness. Its flexible nature makes it ideal for mobile and remote employees, and its scalable infrastructure is built to handle the growth of small businesses. 

Additionally, RingCentral provides after-hours call coverage options and all-in-one cloud communication solutions, including voice, messaging, video, and fax services. It makes mobile management and configuration easy and comes with advanced virtual phone system features. RingCentral also provides international calling services and analytics and reporting tools to help you better understand your communications data.

Key features

• Unlimited users
• Unlimited auto attendants, call routing, and queues
• Video meetings with up to 150 participants
• Strong integration with business applications
• Modular design that grows with your business

Pricing 

• Essentials plan: $19.99 per user/month
• Standard plan: $27.99 per user/month
• Premium plan: $34.99 per user/month
• Ultimate plan: $49.99 per user/month

Free trial

       RingCentral offers a 14-day free trial for users to test their services. 

7. 8x8

G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5 

The cloud communications platform from 8x8 is a comprehensive solution that integrates voice, video, chat, and contact center capabilities. It offers customizable call forwarding and transfer rules that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the users, making it a flexible and mobile solution. Businesses can work from anywhere, including remotely or from home, to stay connected to their customers and colleagues. 

The platform also enables businesses to improve their customer experience by easily transferring calls to the right person to handle a customer query. Additionally, the platform provides advanced call routing options including ring groups to ensure that calls are routed to the appropriate team members in a timely manner.

Key features

• Caller ID, blocking, and do not disturb
• Call waiting and parking
• Three-way calling
• Competitive pricing suited for SMEs

Pricing 

• Express plan: $15 per user/month
• X2 plan: $24 per user/month
• X4 plan: $44 per user/month

Free trial

8x8 provides a 30-day free trial for users to evaluate their services.

How to choose the right call forwarding service for your business

The call forwarding service you choose impacts a substantial part of your customer (and employee) experience. Consider the following factors when making your decision.

1. Business needs: Assess your business requirements and identify the specific features and capabilities you need from a call forwarding service. Consider factors such as the number of users, flexibility, multi-channel support, and software integrations.
2. Budget: Look into your budget and choose a call forwarding service that fits within your financial capabilities. Consider not only the monthly subscription fees but also any additional costs for extra features or usage.
3. User experience: Test the user interface and evaluate the ease of use of the call forwarding service. A user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation will save time and reduce the learning curve for your team.
4. Reliability and support: Look for a call forwarding service with a reputation for reliable performance and strong customer support. Uptime guarantees, security features, and the responsiveness of its support staff are crucial.
5. Integration capabilities: Test and explore the integration capabilities of your call forwarding service with other tools and platforms your business relies on. CRM systems, help desk software, and other communication tools that can be integrated are likely to enhance productivity and ensure a smooth operation.

Free trials help you make an informed decision and choose the right call-forwarding service that aligns with your business goals and requirements.

Get started with Plivo

Plivo consistently stands out for its robust features and reliable service. Whether you're looking to enhance your customer service, streamline your communications, or simply manage calls more efficiently, Plivo offers a comprehensive and user-friendly platform that can adapt to your business’s unique needs. 

Request for a free trial today.

Phone number verification is the easiest way to ensure a phone number is legitimate. It simply entails sending a verification code via SMS or a phone call and getting a response back. You don’t need a complex or expensive tool to do this. 

Phone number verification APIs automate this process, making it a breeze for businesses of all sizes to verify contact information. Plug these APIs into mobile apps, CRM systems, and websites to verify numbers during sign-ups, logins, or data updates. 

This guide includes seven of the best phone number verification APIs in 2024 that offer features designed to support your business needs. We’ll break down the pros and cons of the platforms you’ve likely considered but haven’t had the opportunity to explore deeper. Read on to learn what makes each solution unique and pricing plans. 

Benefits of a phone number verification API

Phone verification has been used for decades by companies globally. The need for verification is fundamental: businesses rely on accurate customer phone numbers for critical processes logging in, making transactions, and setting passwords. 

Phone numbers also strengthen the brand/customer relationship. Companies rely on phone numbers to deliver important marketing messages, promotions, and announcements. If a number isn’t valid, the customer will never see your marketing efforts, wasting your time and resources. 

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Phone number verification can help with both business-critical processes and marketing outreach. Here are the core benefits of using a phone number verification API: 

Improved data accuracy and quality

A phone number verification API ensures the contact information in your database is accurate and up-to-date. This means errors caused by fake or mistyped numbers. Your communications campaigns will reach their intended recipients. 

Enhanced customer experience

Customers use their phones to get all kinds of alerts – from order status updates to, special promotions and discounts. A phone number verification API helps ensure that all your customers enter a valid and active phone number to get messages that elevate their experience. 

Reduced fraud and spam

Some of the most common cyberattacks include phishing and spamming. Both of these methods rely on customer information. A phone number verification API helps identify and block fraudulent and spam numbers, protecting your business and customers from malicious activities.

Cost savings on undeliverable messages

Sending messages to invalid phone numbers can quickly become a significant overhead cost. Removing invalid phone numbers before you waste money trying to reach them helps improve your ROI and budget your resources more efficiently. 

Features to look for in a phone number verification API

As you look for the best phone number verification APIs, keep an eye out for these features to help you find the right fit. 

1. Real-time validation: Ensure the API provides instant validation to verify numbers as they are entered, improving accuracy and user experience.
2. Easy to use and navigate: Consider a phone number verification API that offers a clean, intuitive interface. This will reduce the implementation time for your developers and make day-to-day ops easier. 
3. Global reach and coverage: Look for an API that supports phone numbers from multiple countries so you can operate internationally without any hassle. 
4. Integration capabilities: The API should easily integrate with your existing systems, providing a seamless setup process and compatibility with your tech stack.
5. Detailed reporting and analytics: Choose an API that offers comprehensive reports and analytics to monitor verification processes, understand patterns, and make informed decisions.
6. Scalability and reliability: Ensure the API can handle large volumes of requests and maintain high uptime, especially during peak times, to support your business growth.

Top 7 phone number verification APIs: at a glance

The table below provides a quick overview of the best phone number verification APIs.

Top 7 phone number verification APIs

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of the top seven phone number verification APIs you should consider. 

1. Plivo

Plivo is one of the most advanced customer engagement tools on the market. Its Verify API is designed for effortless verification with robust fraud control features that protect you against phishing and SMS pumping attacks. 

Plivo’s free Fraud Shield is one of the most attractive features in its API offering. It understands the customers' usage patterns and automatically adjusts the thresholds across countries. Plivo Verify also offers built-in reporting that helps you assess your cost savings by preventing fraud attacks. 

The best part? Plivo delivers the lowest cost per verification among top-rated solutions on the market. There are zero authentication fees and you only pay for SMS and voice charges. Use Plivo’s pre-registered phone numbers and avoid monthly phone number rental fees. In addition, there’s no compliance fee, meaning you eliminate overhead costs associated with compliance registrations. 

With Plivo, ready-made message templates are pre-approved and designed to increase conversions. Plivo Verify offers a 95% OTP conversion rate. We’re rated highly for support with extensive documentation that helps teams get started in five minutes or less. 

Pros

• Best-in-class, built-in fraud protection for free
• High deliverability and accuracy rates support a 95% OTP conversion rate
• Go live in 220+ countries in five minutes or less
• 99.99% uptime SLAs available, plus comprehensive support and premium 24-hour customer service
• Low cost per conversion
• Channel flexibility: send OTPs using SMS, voice & WhatsApp

Cons

• Pricing may be higher for small businesses

Pricing

• Base pricing: $0 verification fee. Pay only the standard fee per channel. See detailed SMS and Voice pricing. 
• Volume pricing: Contact the sales team to get the best pricing. 

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2. Numlookup API

Numlookup API is a simple and quick solution for phone number verification. It automates the process by checking carrier information and the status of phone numbers. On its free tier, you can send 100 requests monthly—suitable for smaller businesses that are building their customer base and testing the waters. 

When it comes time to scale, and you need an unlimited amount of API connections, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. Paid users get premium support. Numlookup API guarantees a 24-hour turnaround time for their paid customers. Along with this, they also boast 100% uptime in the last 90 days for all customers. 

Pros:

• Quick and easy to implement; designed for small businesses 
• Provides worldwide coverage for global phone numbers
• Quick lookup with detailed carrier and status information
• SDKs for the most popular languages (Python, Ruby, Node.js, and PHP)

Cons:

• Free tier rate limits are hit quickly 
• Lacks additional features like email or IP address validation
• Limited to basic phone number lookup without advanced functionalities​

Pricing 

• Free plan: The free tier allows up to 100 requests at 10 requests/minute
• Small plan: Starts at $9.99/month for up to 7000 requests
• Medium plan: Starts at $44.99/month for up to 65,000 requests 
• Large plan: Starts at $89.99/month for up to 300,000 requests
• Custom plan: For more requests, you need to contact their team

3. Neutrino API

Neutrino is designed as a general-purpose API, offering tools such as bad word filter, email validation, phone number validation, phone playback, SMS verification, phone verification, and more. 

Their phone number verification API allows you to parse, validate, and get location information for a phone number. You can identify the general user agent type, and device features, such as the brand, model, and OS. Additionally, it supports verification for both local and international phone numbers and includes fraud detection features. 

Pros:

• Quick and easy to get started
• Offers various validation services including phone, email, and IP address
• Very affordable 

Cons:

• Poorly designed interface which can be confusing 
• Lack of documentation can make integration difficult
• Tech support is available only via an online contact form or email

Pricing 

Free Trial – With its free plan, you can explore its all features.

• Tier 1: Neutrino API starts at $10/month for up to 10,000 requests per day
• Tier 2: Starts at $50/month for 100,000 requests per day
• Tier 3: Starts at $250/month for 1M requests per day

4. Vonage Verify API

Vonage is an advanced platform that offers a dedicated Verify API to easily validate customers across the world at scale. It provides multiple authentication channels including SMS, voice (TTS), WhatsApp, email, and Silent Authentication, allowing you to authenticate your customers based on their preferences. They do the heavy lifting for you including fraud monitoring, failover, OTP generation, and sender ID management. 

One of the standout features of Vonage is its fraud detection, which is designed to prevent expensive unauthorized transactions. It automatically triggers step-up authentication for suspicious numbers and uses up-to-date phone number intelligence to identify fraudulent transactions. Additionally, Vonage offers global text-to-speech (TTS), intelligent failover, adaptive routing, and flexible implementation. 

Pros:

• Reliable verification with detailed carrier information
• Highly versatile, providing phone, email, and WhatsApp verification
• Easy integration with robust documentation

Cons:

• Per-request pricing may become expensive with high-volume
• May require technical knowledge for the initial setup

Pricing 

• Verify conversion plan: Pricing per API call starts at $0.005 per request for number lookup.
• Verify success plan: Contact their sales team for a custom price 

5. Abstract API

Abstract offers a library of APIs for an array of processes; email validation, IP geolocation, company enrichment, public holidays, phone validation, link shortener, image processing, weather API, and more. 

If you’re looking for a comprehensive solution or have needs beyond just phone number verification, then Abstract is a great solution. But if your needs are limited, you might want to consider a more straightforward tool. 

Regarding phone number validation, it supports over 190 countries and guarantees a 99.99% uptime SLA with 24/7 customer support via email, chat, and phone.

Pros:

• Easy and quick to get started
• Offers a free-for-life tier 
• Global coverage suitable for international operations
• Easy setup with user-friendly documentation

Cons:

• Potentially higher costs compared to single-purpose APIs​
• Customer support is reviewed as subpar 
• Accuracy is questionable 

Pricing 

• Free plan: The free tier allows up to 250 API calls per month.
• Paid plan: Starts at $17/month for up to 30,000 requests per year, with higher tiers available.

6. Byteplant

BytePlant provides multiple solutions: address validator, email validator, phone validator, and anti-spam. Its phone validation API supports 240 countries and offers real-time phone validation, phone list cleaning, and a 30-day money-back guarantee (no questions asked). 

BytePlant integrates well with platforms such as Salesforce and Mailchimp and ensures secure data transmission with industry-standard encryption. The API is designed to handle large volumes of requests, making it suitable for businesses with high validation needs.

Pros:

• Real-time phone number verification
• High accuracy with international and national number validation
• Secure data transmission with industry-standard encryption

Cons:

• Monthly credit costs can be high for small businesses
• Limited free tier, encouraging quick transition to paid plans​

Pricing 

• Pricing: Monthly credits cost around $390/month for up to 10,000 requests.
• Paid plan: Pay-as-you-go option available.

7. Mocean

Mocean’s Verify API specializes in phone number lookup and SMS verification services. It supports real-time phone number validation and provides detailed data about the phone number, including carrier and line type. 

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It comes with features like intelligent failover, adaptive routing, and flexible charging. Mocean's API is easy to integrate and supports multiple programming languages. The service is ideal for businesses focused on SMS marketing, providing secure data handling with robust encryption.

Pros:

• Pay-as-you-go pricing model for cost efficiency
• Provides both phone number lookup and SMS verification
• Secure data handling with robust encryption

Cons:

• Pricing can add up with high usage
• Limited free tier compared to competitors

Pricing 

• Pricing: Pay-as-you-go pricing starts at $0.0037 per request for phone number lookup.
• Paid plan: $0.0138 per SMS verification sent.

Get started with Plivo today 

Choosing the right phone number verification API involves considering key factors. Start by understanding your business’s needs and goals, listing out specific of your must-have and nice-to-have features like customization, global presence, and customer support. 

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Think Plivo might be the perfect API for your verification needs? Find out today with a trial. 

Despite the rise in account-based cyber attacks, user passwords remain remarkably easy to crack. A recent survey from Bitwarden revealed that 25% of people reuse passwords across 11-20+ accounts. What’s worse — 19% of respondents use “password” as their password. Clearly, businesses can’t rely on users to set passwords with the strength to prevent costly, reputation-damaging data breaches. 

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a user-friendly, easily accessible way to strengthen account security. However, many businesses resist adding 2FA due to concerns about convenience, initial setup costs, resource allocation, ongoing maintenance, and implementation complexity . 

The importance of 2FA in protecting user identities and safeguarding your business’s reputation can’t be overlooked. This guide will seek to overcome some of the chief objections to adding 2FA and demonstrate why this protocol is a natural solution for businesses of all sizes.     

What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?

Two-factor authentication is a security process that requires two different methods of identification to verify a user's identity.

Unlike traditional authentication, which solely relies on a password, two-factor authentication incorporates a second factor, such as biometrics or a security token like a one-time password (OTP). By requiring users to verify their identity with two different factors, 2FA adds a security layer to existing systems. 

Incorporating a separate, unconnected authentication channel into your product’s authentication process makes it difficult for malicious actors to compromise secure systems.

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Why is two-factor authentication used?

There are two reasons to use 2FA. 

1. First and foremost, cybersecurity threats have been increasing in recent years. More than 8 million data records were breached in the fourth quarter of 2024; the US has the highest average breach cost globally, at $9.48 million. In addition, Verizon found that “over 80% of breaches within hacking involve brute force or the use of lost or stolen credentials.” 
2. Data breaches are increasingly prevalent — and increasingly expensive. Yet, many businesses still feel under equipped to protect their accounts. WEF’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook Report 2024 found that 81% of leaders feel more exposed or similarly exposed to cybercrime than last year. 

The combination of a higher threat profile and pervasive poor password habits make 2FA a critical solution for modern businesses. 

Is 2FA worth it?

In short: yes. 

For businesses hesitant to adopt 2FA, Jacob Kalvo, the Founder of Live Proxies and a cybersecurity expert with over a decade of experience shares, 

“Implementing 2FA has smoothed out much of our internal security processes, making them safer for our team and users. This has resulted in increased user trust and reduced unauthorized access attempts. The additional security and peace of mind easily compensate for the initial difficulties in integrating 2FA.” 

Two-factor authentication vs. passwords

The table below provides a quick overview of the differences between traditional authentication and two-factor authentication. 

What are authentication factors?

A user can be authenticated in multiple ways. The three most used authentication factors are: 

Knowledge factor

It's something the user knows, like a password, a personal identification number (PIN), or another shared secret. 

Knowledge factors include: 

• PINs 
• Passwords  
• Security questions with answers only known to users 

Possession factor

It's something a user has, such as an ID card, a mobile, or a laptop to approve authentication. 

Possession factors include: 

• Authenticator apps such as Microsoft authenticator, Authy, etc. create time-based OTPs
• SMS OTP sent to the user's mobile device via text message 
• Hardware tokens that generate secure codes like Yubikeys, or SecuID
• Physical cards (smart cards) that can be inserted into a card reader for authentication 
• OTPs or verification links are sent to the user's email address

Inherence factor

It's something a user is, typically a biological characteristic. Inheritance factors include: 

• Fingerprints
• Retina scans
• Voice recognition
• Facial scans

There are additional factors that don’t fall neatly under these three categories. You can verify users' identity depending on their geographical location, for example, or limit authentication attempts to certain times of the day. 

Two-factor authentication combines any two types of factors. The most common combination is knowledge + possession factors, wherein a user enters their password and authenticates via an OTP sent to their mobile phone. 

Choose a combination that best suits your users' account security needs. You can even choose multiple factors to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for more robust account security. 

How does two-factor authentication work?

The typical two-factor authentication workflow includes these steps:  

1. Login prompt: The user is prompted to log into the app or website. 
2. Enter user credentials: The user is asked to enter their credentials, typically a username and a password (something they know).
3. Factor verification: The system verifies the credentials. 
4. Second-factor prompt: The user is prompted to input the second login factor (typically an OTP sent to their registered mobile phone).  
5. Input OTP: The user enters a one-time passcode generated during the previous step. 
6. OTP verification: The system verifies the OTP. 
7. Access granted: The user will gain access to the website or application after providing both factors    

Common types of 2FA verification 

Hardware tokens for 2FA

Hardware tokens are USB keys, and smart cards, that generate unique authentication codes. 

Some companies use devices like YubiKey or Google Titan Security Key to improve account security. These devices are plugged into a USB port or use NFC to authenticate users even when trusted devices are offline. Smart cards require a card reader and generate a one-time password or authentication when inserted into the reader.

SMS text-message and voice-based 2FA

With SMS-based 2FA verification, after entering the password, the user receives a code on their phone, which they enter into the website or application to complete the login process.

Voice-based 2FA follows the same process, but via phone call.The user speaks a specific phrase or password, which is then analyzed and matched to their voiceprint. Although it’s vulnerable to voice snooping, it's a secure, and hands-free option. You can easily make bulk calls globally by following the best practices for voice calling. 

Software tokens for 2FA

These tokens generate an OTP used in two-factor authentication. The typical workflow from a user’s perspective for 2FA through software tokens includes these steps: 

1. Install authenticator app: User installs an authenticator app such as Authy, Google, or Microsoft authenticator on their app. 
2. Enable 2FA: User visits the account security setting of the application they want to secure and enables 2FA. 
3. QR scan: User opens the authenticator app on their device and scans the QR code. 
4. Generate OTP: The authenticator app's QR code containing a secret key starts generating OTPs based on that key. 
5. Enter OTP: User reads the current OTP on the authenticator app and enters it into the website. 
6. OTP verification: The application checks the submitted OTP against the expected OTP and ensures it hasn’t expired based on the timestamp saved during OTP generation. 
7. Handle OTP verification failure: In case OTP verification fails, the app notifies the user, generates a new OTP and asks the user to re-enter it. 

Push notifications for 2FA verification 

Push notifications are sent to the registered user's mobile device for approval. The user simply taps  "approve" on their device to complete the authentication process. 

Other forms of two-factor authentication

Apart from the types of two-factor authentication mentioned above, a few additional ones include: 

QR code-based authentication

A mobile device scans a QR code to authenticate the user. For example, Google Authenticator, and WhatsApp Web use QR codes to authenticate users. 

Location-based authentication

Users are authenticated based on their usual IP address or geographic location.

Risk-based authentication

Depending on the user’s risk level, the system prompts for additional authentication factors or helps establish a risk score. 

FIDO (Fast Identity Online) protocols

These are a set of protocols that enable passwordless authentication using smartphones or security keys. For authentication requests, for instance, Facebook, Twitter, etc. have enabled FIDO protocols for users to log in with security keys.

Two-factor authentication for mobile devices

Apple iOS, Google Android, and Windows 10 all have apps that support two-factor authentication. The user’s mobile phone itself serves as the physical authentication device. 

For example, modern devices feature an in-built camera for facial or retina scans, leveraging biometric authentication as a security measure. Some devices equipped with GPS add an extra security layer by verifying users based on their location.  

Authenticator apps like Google Authenticator have now replaced traditional methods like sending verification codes from a trusted phone. These apps generate a six-digit every 30 seconds removing the need to wait to even receive verification codes in a text. 

Note: If you’re already a Plivo user, follow these steps to implement 2FA in seconds.  

Is two-factor authentication secure?

Two-factor authentication is more secure than simple password authentication, but it’s not foolproof. 

Despite implementing two-factor authentication, companies like Twitter, Zoom, Coinbase, GitHub, and Reddit, have experienced data breaches. The Reddit data breach in 2018 highlighted vulnerabilities in SMS-based two factor authentication, prompting a move towards a more secure authentication method.

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Why SMS-based authentication falls short 

NIST’s Special Publication 800-63-3 (National Institute of Standards and Technology) discourages the usage of SMS as it’s susceptible to interception and prone to phishing attacks, SIM swapping, and brute force attacks.

To mitigate these vulnerabilities, industry experts recommend: 

• Conducting regular audits and testing 
• Adherence to industry standards and best practices for implementing two factor authentication
• Adopting more secure authentication methods such as biometrics, or hardware security tokens

The future of authentication

Environments needing higher security benefit from multi-factor authentication involving more than two authentication methods. Likewise, the future of authentication lies in using passwordless methods, using biometric data, hardware tokens, and OTPs to authenticate users.  

Early adopters are using passkeys to provide a secure alternative to 2FA. Passkey technology relies on a pair of generated keys: the private key resides on the user's device, and the public key is transmitted to the service. This process eliminates the need for users to remember passwords altogether.

Companies are using behavioral data that identifies the user's keystroke length, typing speed, and mouse movements to complete real-time authentication. Adaptive authentication and decentralized identity (blockchain-based) authentication are also rising.  

How can Plivo help

Although 2FA is relatively simple, challenges can arise during implementation, such as failed delivery or sending OTPs to invalid phone numbers. This is where a reliable solution such as Plivo’s Verify API comes in. We offer infrastructure that handles high-volume SMS and voice, with strong fallback mechanisms. 

Plivo offers robust voice and messaging integration for your applications while reducing SMS spend. Our comprehensive 2FA API supports SMS and voice-based delivery that generates, sends, and verifies OTPs efficiently while allowing extensive customization of OTP and verification messages. 

Further, we use intelligent routing to optimize message delivery paths, enhancing the overall cost-efficiency of your messaging operations. 

How Plivo enhances 2FA

Key features of Plivo’s Verify API 

• No authentication fees - only SMS and Voice charges apply 
• Get pre-registered phone numbers - no costs on number purchasing or renting 
• No extra costs for regulatory compliance - we take care that the frequency of messages, time of messaging, etc. comply with international guidelines 
• Our API integrates easily with your existing security systems
• We provide solid fallback mechanism in case of failed SMS deliveries
• OTPs are delivered even during high-traffic periods

To implement 2FA with Plivo, request a trial account. 

Benefits of using Plivo’s Verify API

High conversion rates that minimize SMS spend 

Plivo secures your communications with 10DLC registered numbers and strict compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 standards, ensuring data protection. Plivo guarantees reliable delivery and minimizes the risk of message errors or interception by sending dynamic verification codes exclusively to approved verified phone numbers. 

Jungleworks, a leading software solutions provider noted a 9% increase in deliverability after switching to Plivo. 

Global compliance to avoid penalties 

Plivo maintains pre-approved, country-specific phone numbers, ensuring compliance with local telecommunications laws for businesses operating in multiple regions.

With Plivo, CallHub, a leading communications platform, navigated thousands of different networks, and carriers, placing nine million calls in one election cycle.  

High international delivery rates to minimize message volume   

You need a provider that ensures higher conversion rates. Plivo's extensive global coverage across 220+ countries and territories achieves this by minimizing the number of messages sent. We offer competitive advantages such as priority onboarding, test credits, premium routes for messages and calls, and expedited carrier registrations, providing more value for your investment.

Built-in Fraud Shield for protection against high-risk profiles 

Plivo’s Verify API offers Fraud Shield for free. It significantly reduces frauds by verifying users, and defending businesses against SMS pumping. This solution protects against high-risk outbound calls, swiftly identifies unusual traffic patterns, and lets you customize your security measures with ease.

‍Flexible pricing model to maximize cost savings 

Plivo offers a free trial followed by a pay-as-you-go pricing model. You can explore our comprehensive communication features, including, voice, SMS, and 2FA, without any upfront commitment. If you’re looking to scale, get volume pricing to maximize cost savings. 

Strong fallback mechanism for guaranteed delivery  

Plivo ensures your messages reach their destination despite network issues or invalid numbers with its strong fallback mechanism. We monitor messaging patterns, set country-specific thresholds, and automatically send voice messages if SMS delivery fails. 

Easy implementation with a step-by-step guide

Implementing Plivo’s API is straightforward with detailed documentation covering setup, application usage, and code verification.

These authentication and fraud prevention methods not only secure your users’ accounts but also foster trust with your customer base. 

At Plivo, we're dedicated to offering a trustworthy, robust Cloud Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS). We continuously implement stringent security measures; and, as a result, we’re pleased to share that we’ve renewed our SOC 2 Type 2 certification, which includes HIPAA controls.

Maintaining a Strong Security Culture

Security is at the core of our operations and deeply integrated into our services. Our security team continuously enhances our security controls, threat mitigation processes, and monitoring systems. Every Plivo employee understands that safeguarding your data is our highest priority; we've built our culture around this value.

Our SOC 2 Type 2 Commitment

In 2022, we obtained our initial SOC 2 Type 2 report, demonstrating our capabilities in handling, storing, and processing user data. The report not only validated the strength of our security systems and procedures but also evaluated our operational effectiveness in adhering to these controls over time. 

Our SOC 2 Type 2 certification renewal this year reaffirms our dedication to managing our clients’ critical data. It verifies our stringent controls across several critical areas:

• Regular communication: We ensure consistent updates and changes are communicated to our customers.
• Access controls: We prevent unauthorized access by maintaining robust internal access controls to production environments.
• System monitoring: We conduct thorough system monitoring and ongoing risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential threats.
• Disaster recovery: Our reliable disaster recovery and data backup measures ensure system availability and data integrity.
• Incident response: We have a responsive system and security monitoring and incident response processes in place.
• Employee processes: Our effective employee onboarding and termination processes help maintain security integrity.

These controls continue to evolve as we maintain the privacy and security of customer data and enhance our security systems.

Our Security Commitment: Beyond a Checkbox

Renewing our SOC 2 Type 2 certification is more than just meeting a requirement; it's a testament to our ongoing commitment to you, our valued customers. For us, it’s not just about compliance but about living up to the trust you place in Plivo every day.

We’re proud of our team’s hard work over the past year, and we will continue implementing robust security measures and achieving accreditations in the future.

You can read more about our renewed SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, our security measures, and how we continually protect your data on our security page.

Your security is always our top priority. We deeply appreciate your trust in us.

We’re pleased to announce that Plivo has renewed its HIPAA compliance for 2024, reaffirming our commitment to security for healthcare customers. Our latest SOC 2 Type 2 audit report also covers HIPAA compliance.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) protect the privacy and security of patients' medical information, known as protected health information (PHI). Healthcare organizations in the US must follow HIPAA's Privacy and Security Rules for handling PHI and must work with business associates that also protect PHI.

At Plivo, we understand the importance of securing PHI. For eligible customers, Plivo can sign a HIPAA business associate agreement (BAA) as part of our Enterprise package. The BAA contractually obligates us to properly safeguard PHI in alignment with HIPAA standards.

Our Commitment to Security

Plivo implements various data security controls, including:

• Encryption: Data in transit and at rest is encrypted using strong protocols like AES-256.
• Access controls: Strict access controls and personnel policies protect systems handling PHI.
• Data redaction: PHI details are redacted from logs and audits.
• Independent verification: Independent third-party auditors routinely verify our HIPAA compliance controls.

Security is a Shared Responsibility

However, HIPAA compliance is a shared responsibility between Plivo and our customers. While we provide the compliant platform and infrastructure, customers must also use Plivo in a way that follows HIPAA guidelines, including:

• Securing their Plivo account credentials
• Ensuring PHI is only accessed in secure environments
• Making sure their application instructions to Plivo align with HIPAA rules

For healthcare organizations that need to comply with HIPAA and HITECH, Plivo provides the capabilities and assurances to securely build communication workflows. Contact our sales team to learn more about HIPAA compliance with Plivo.