How to secure your stream? (SSL, Token, DRM)

By Szymon PolokDecember 9, 2020
Video Stream Security Options

Are you looking for ways to effective protect your stream against unauthorized access or an attempt to copy the content? Protecting streaming content is crucial to maintaining business efficiency and ensuring a solid image. Find out how to secure your stream.

Why secure the stream?

But let’s start with a simple question: why secure the stream at all? Adequate security of the streaming video material reduces the risk of third parties acquiring access to the content. Additionally, the implementation of security solutions will reduce the risk of video theft.

By securing the stream you can remain fair to the users who have purchased access, you will ensure safe and comfortable consumption of streamed content, and you will limit possible losses resulting from theft and subsequent unauthorized distribution of content. At the same time, securing the stream will protect your brand image from adverse consequences resulting from third-party preview of the material or video theft.

SSL layer

The protection of streaming video with the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) layer is based on encrypting signals exchanged between servers and browsers.

As a result, data transmission remains secure and inaccessible to third parties wishing to view the information being sent. What is noteworthy is the extremely simple implementation of the SSL layer during stream configuration.

Although securing the stream with an SSL layer protects it against access by third parties during the data travel over the network, such a solution does not guarantee 100% security. Securing the stream with SSL will not ensure data integrity. This means that data can be easily copied by people who have access to it.

Security token

The implementation of the security token is based on securing each connection with a random single-use key and password. Security tokens make it easy to verify any user who tries to access the stream. This is how you can easily filter people who join the stream and protect yourself against unauthorized access by third parties.

Access tokenization – similar to the implementation of the SSL layer – is also relatively easy to implement. However, in this case you will need the involvement of a developer to configure and implement security tokens for your stream.

Unfortunately, complete data integrity cannot be guaranteed in this case as well. Users with access to the stream will be able to copy the transmitted materials without any major problems.

DRM (Digital Rights Management)

Digital rights management will provide you with the ability to encrypt video data effectively, as each user receives a unique access key. Security systems used under DRM are provided by third parties, and the way they work differs depending on the technology used by the security provider.

The implementation of digital rights management in conjunction with the implementation of the SSL layer and security tokens will ensure comprehensive protection of the streamed content.

Combine all the methods with Storm Streaming Server

If you want to ensure effective and multi-level protection of your stream against unauthorized access and attempts to steal content, we recommend that you use all of the security methods together. Storm Streaming Server gives you this possibility while offering simplicity in integrating these mechanisms with your own website.

Thanks to the implementation of the SSL layer, security tokens, and DRM technology, you will guarantee complete security for yourself and authorized users. It will benefit not only your business but also your image.


Tags: DRM, SSL