DataArt develops comprehensive solutions that cater to the specific challenges faced by video content rights-holders. Our focus is on enabling a secure and efficient environment for managing, protecting, and monetizing their content.
In this article, we'll break down key rights management techniques that are essential for video content protection against piracy of video streaming services.
Digital Rights Management
Digital Rights Management, or DRM, is used to secure digital content by preventing unauthorized use and piracy of copyrighted material.
When using DRM, digital assets are encrypted and can be exclusively unlocked by a secret encryption key bundled with a digital license. One of the essential mechanisms behind DRM is checking the license before allowing a user to view any of the content and, in case everything is authorized and safe, validating a user with a token. This validation token enables the receiving device to decrypt the requested content, significantly increasing the difficulty of circumventing DRM.
DRM helps resolve issues such as video piracy, which directly affects revenue, content licenses that require DRM streaming capabilities and the number of devices that can access content while account sharing.
Encryption Techniques
Video encryption uses encoding software and hardware to secure content from unwanted interception and viewing. Businesses choose to invest in high-quality video encryption technology to prevent bad actors from taking advantage of weak video encryption tech and avoid paying for video content - regardless of its illegality.
Various types of video encryption technologies exist today that will protect your video content from unwanted access and piracy.
AES Encryption
Advanced Encryption Standard technology — otherwise known as AES — is implemented in both software and hardware to encrypt confidential data all around the globe. This technology is used to encrypt videos, for example, during live video streaming, where broadcasters encrypt their content where a special digital key is used to grant viewers access. AES technology is cheap and easy to deploy but comes with its own flaws and risks. Hackers may buy the subscription and dump the video content — leaking the symmetric key. Even with key rotation, this may lead to some content leaks. Still, this layer of protection against piracy has a significant impact in shielding video content.
DRM Techniques
For a more advanced encryption, DRM techniques like Widevine can come into play. The highest level of security in Widevine is Widevine L1 which uses hardware-based security features like trusted execution environments (TEE) to ensure a high-level security against unauthorized access.
Widevine L1 is a significantly more secure option compared to AES encryption but is also more expensive. Regardless of its price, mainstream companies like Netflix are known for protecting their content with Widevine L1 technology given its powerful and effective protection.
SPEKE Protocol
The SPEKE (Secure Packager and Encoder Key Exchange) protocol enables DRM key exchange between video encoders and DRM key providers. Here at DataArt, we utilize SPEKEv2 which specifically allows the integration of multiple DRM systems from a single API, seamlessly integrating with Google Widevine, Apple FairPlay and Microsoft PlayReady. This enables video delivery to a wide range of end-user devices.
Watermarking
A heightened risk of piracy gave rise to many video service providers using watermarking technology, which embeds a signal into the video stream, providing the viewer with information on the owner and source. Watermarks also prevent other sources from claiming the video content as their own.
This technology usually comes in one of two forms - either perceptible or imperceptible. Perceptible watermarks have text, a logo or a copyright disclaimer on the video content. Imperceptible watermarks are unique to each user and entirely invisible to end users but are detectable on illegal streams as the user ID or IP address is associated with the watermark.
While this technology does not entirely safeguard content from piracy, it allows video service providers to assert ownership over their digital content and protect their brand.
Authentication and Authorization Protocols
Protocols used to verify user identity alongside authentication and authorization mechanisms are vital in preventing unauthorized access to video content. Authentication and authorization techniques are deployed to ensure access to the decryption key by authorized users only. Some of these methods are strong authentication, token authorization, multi-factor authentication, and more.
- Strong authentication applies mechanisms like two-factors authentication (2FA), multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO).
- The token authorization system allows online video platforms to locate all video streams that are being accessed - exclusively by those who have authorized permission. Said tokens are essential pieces of data that can verify the user accessing the stream. This feature mitigates unauthorized access to content streamed via branded online video platforms.
- Using multi-factor authentication to broadcast for many accounts puts an additional layer of security when accessing the OTT streaming platforms and protects the content’s integrity against leaks or hacked passwords.
Accessing restricted content at the authorization level happens through the transfer of account data to third parties like friends, public forums and communities, selling or leasing temporarily granted access to their accounts or leaks and theft. Previously mentioned methods are guaranteed to serve well as a means of preventing such piracy.
Integration with Content Delivery Networks
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) can accelerate content delivery, reduce latency, and enhance user experience to deliver protected content. Here at DataArt we can help you with the right selection of a CDN to guarantee reduced latency and buffering, optimal video quality and seamless playback.
When using premium video content provided by CDNs, it is crucial to combine it with robust protection mechanisms such as token authentication, 2FA, MFA, etc., to protect content from unauthorized access and distribution.
How DataArt Can Help You Protect Video Content
Proper security measures are an absolute necessity in video streaming to protect content from piracy and other concerns. Let us summarize what we can do for you:
- Use DRM solutions including encryption techniques, watermarking and authentication/authorization protocols are a great deal of help when it comes to content protection.
- Integrate video encryption techniques with content delivery networks to guarantee smooth world-wide delivery
- Implement Authentication and Authorization that will limit access to the assets
- Introduce watermarking and content identification to assets ownership
Our focus is on enabling a secure and efficient environment for managing, protecting, and monetizing their content. Learn more about how we can help.
