STIR/SHAKEN

STIR/SHAKEN is a calling authentication framework and set of network protocols that verify the legitimacy of the caller's identity and prevent phone number spoofing (the illegal practice of impersonating someone's phone number in caller ID).

What STIR and SHAKEN Stand For

• STIR (Secure Telephone Identity Revisited): Technical specification for cryptographic signing of calls to verify caller identity.
• SHAKEN (Signature Handling for Authenticated Identity Establishment): Implementation guidance for telecom carriers and service providers on how to deploy STIR.

How STIR/SHAKEN Works

1. When a call is initiated, the calling carrier cryptographically signs the call setup message using STIR, attaching a certificate that proves the caller identity.
2. The receiving carrier verifies the signature using public keys.
3. If the signature is valid, the receiving carrier marks the call as "Verified" in caller ID.
4. If invalid or missing, the call is marked "Unverified" or "Likely Spam."

Regulatory Compliance

• FCC mandatory deadline: Telecom carriers must implement STIR/SHAKEN or equivalent by June 2024 (deadline extended from May 2023).
• Applies to all voice calls, including automated/robocalls.
• Service providers that make outbound calls (including AI voice agents used for outbound) must have STIR/SHAKEN-compliant infrastructure.

Impact on Outbound Calling

Without STIR/SHAKEN signing, outbound calls may be marked as "Likely Spam" and blocked or sent to spam voicemail. This dramatically impacts deliverability for legitimate outbound campaigns (appointment reminders, surveys, lead follow-up).

Workforce Wave STIR/SHAKEN

Workforce Wave partners with STIR/SHAKEN-compliant calling carriers to ensure all outbound AI voice agent calls are properly signed and authenticated. This maximizes answer rates and compliance.