AudioCodes at ISE 2026: A Closer Look at the Ultra-Secure C456HD Desk Phone

Credit: Empowering.Cloud

ISE 2026 in Barcelona was buzzing with innovation, and the AudioCodes team was right at the heart of it. From immersive collaboration to secure communications, the show was a great opportunity to talk about what’s next, especially when it comes to protecting voice communications in high-security environments.

While at ISE, I had the privilege of sitting down with industry expert and MVP Tom Arbuthnot from Empowering.Cloud, along with my old friend Albert Kooiman, General Manager of Microsoft Teams Partner Engineering and Customer Enablement at Microsoft. At the forefront of our discussion was one of our most anticipated new devices – the AudioCodes C456HD desk phone.

Meet the AudioCodes C456HD

The C456HD is a new-generation Microsoft Teams desk phone designed for organizations where security, compliance and reliability are non-negotiable. Built on Android OS 13 and leveraging MDEP (Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform), the TAA-compliant C456HD brings enterprise-grade security to the desktop without compromising on usability.

From a hardware perspective, the phone delivers everything you’d expect from AudioCodes. A modern, intuitive interface, excellent audio quality and tight native integration with Microsoft Teams. It also supports an optional multi-purpose touchscreen expansion module for added productivity.

But what really sets the C456HD apart is how deeply security is embedded into its DNA.

Why MDEP Matters

A key focus of the interview was the role of MDEP, Microsoft’s secure foundation for Teams-certified devices. MDEP provides a hardened, standardized security baseline across firmware, OS and device management, ensuring devices are protected throughout their lifecycle.

In short, MDEP helps ensure that devices like the C456HD are built to meet strict security and compliance requirements, making them particularly attractive for regulated environments.

Ideal for Education and Government

The C456HD was clearly designed with the education and government sectors in mind, and the interview highlighted two standout capabilities that address real-world challenges in these environments.

For Education

The C456HD includes a dedicated emergency/panic button. This physical button can be configured to trigger a silent emergency call via Microsoft Teams, helping institutions to comply with legislation like Alyssa’s Law by allowing staff to discreetly alert security or emergency responders. Think of it as a bank-style panic button, purpose-built for schools and campuses where fast, silent communication can make all the difference.

For Government and High-Security Environments

AudioCodes is offering an innovative hardware microphone cutoff. This isn’t a software mute, it’s a physical metallic relay that completely disconnects the microphone circuit. No software exploit, remote command or malicious app can activate the mic – the circuit is only completed when the handset is physically lifted. It’s a level of assurance that simply can’t be achieved through software alone.

Availability and What’s Next

The C456HD is currently going through Microsoft’s rigorous certification process and is expected to be available around April/May 2026, making it one to watch closely for organizations planning secure Teams deployments later this year.

To close the interview, Albert Kooiman also shared a brief but insightful history of the long-standing collaboration between Microsoft and AudioCodes, from the early days of Lync and Skype for Business, through Microsoft Teams and now into the MDEP era. It was a great reminder that the C456HD isn’t just a new device, but the latest chapter in an enduring partnership focused on delivering secure, reliable communications.

Be sure to check out the exclusive video, courtesy of Empowering.Cloud, at the top of the page to hear the conversation in full and see for yourself why the AudioCodes C456HD is shaping up to be a game-changer for secure voice communications. And make sure to keep up to date with our phone and device announcements during 2026.