In an era where data is the lifeblood of business operations, safeguarding sensitive information has never been more critical. The digital age has brought about countless advantages in terms of information access and distribution, but it has also exposed companies to new threats. To counteract these threats effectively, organizations are increasingly turning to a powerful synergy: combining Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Digital Rights Management (DRM) solutions.
The Data Security Conundrum
Protecting data is a multi-faceted challenge. It involves securing data against unauthorized access, sharing, or leakage while ensuring that authorized users can access and use it seamlessly. The complexity of this task arises from the need to strike a delicate balance between security and usability.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
DLP solutions are designed to monitor, detect, and prevent unauthorized data transfers or access. They typically work by analyzing data as it moves within or outside an organization’s network and applying policies to prevent leaks, whether intentional or accidental. DLP tools excel at identifying sensitive information and restricting its flow to unauthorized parties.
On the other hand, DRM is a technology that focuses on controlling and managing the rights associated with digital assets. It is primarily concerned with defining who can access specific content, what they can do with it, and for how long. DRM solutions excel at protecting intellectual property, ensuring that only authorized users can access and use content as per the defined rights.
Bridging the Gap
While DLP and DRM address distinct aspects of data security, they can be mutually reinforcing when used in tandem.
1. Protecting Data at Multiple Levels
DLP solutions guard against data leaks and unauthorized access, but they may not always manage how authorized users handle the data. This is where DRM comes into play. DRM can encrypt files and assign access permissions, even after the data leaves the organization’s network. It ensures that only authorized users can open, modify, print, or share the data in ways compliant with organizational policies.
2. Ensuring Secure Collaboration
In today’s collaborative business environments, the need for data sharing and collaboration is paramount. DLP alone might hinder this by blocking data transfers to authorized users. By integrating DRM into the system, organizations can enable secure collaboration. DRM can allow specified users to access sensitive data for a defined period while keeping the content secure from unauthorized sharing.
3. Tracking and Auditing Data Usage
DLP systems are excellent at monitoring and alerting administrators to potential data breaches. However, they may fall short in providing a complete picture of how data is used once accessed by authorized personnel. DRM solutions can offer comprehensive tracking capabilities, enabling organizations to audit data usage, understand user behavior, and maintain a record of who did what with the data.
Implementing a Holistic Approach
To combine DLP and DRM effectively, organizations should follow these steps:
1. Identify Data Sensitivity
Start by classifying your data based on sensitivity. DLP is most effective when it is focused on the most critical information, while DRM can be used to protect intellectual property, financial data, and other sensitive assets.
2. Define Data Usage Policies
Clearly define and implement data usage policies that dictate who can access specific data and what they can do with it. These policies should be enforced by both DLP and DRM solutions.
3. Integration and Training
Choose DLP and DRM solutions that can be seamlessly integrated with your existing infrastructure. Ensure that your employees are adequately trained to understand and use these tools effectively.
4. Continuous Monitoring
Regularly monitor and update your data security strategy to adapt to changing threats and business requirements. Technology evolves, and so should your security measures.
Conclusion
The combination of Data Loss Prevention and Digital Rights Management can greatly enhance data security for organizations of all sizes. By bridging the gap between securing data from unauthorized access and protecting it from misuse by authorized users, this holistic approach offers a comprehensive solution to the complex challenges of data security in the digital age. To ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data, organizations must embrace this synergy and continue to adapt their security strategies to the ever-evolving threat landscape.
In recent years, the surge in popularity and profitability of streaming video services has been remarkable. The digital media landscape has witnessed the emergence of diverse monetization models, including Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST), Advertising Video on Demand (AVOD), and Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) models.
However, this evolution has also created new avenues for pirates to illicitly access premium digital content, making the industry vulnerable to piracy and unauthorized distribution. To combat these threats, it is imperative to establish a robust, multifaceted, and scalable content security framework that can accommodate various content distribution and ad-generation models, ultimately envisioning a piracy-free content consumption environment. In this context, let’s explore the different OTT content distribution models and underscore the vital role that content security plays in enhancing the user experience.
AVOD vs SVOD vs FAST : How are FAST, AVOD and SVOD different?
What is Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST)?
Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) is a model in which streaming services offer free video content supported by advertising. This model has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, with platforms like Pluto TV, Roku Channel, and XUMO gaining substantial traction. FAST is an attractive choice for viewers who prefer not to pay for premium content but are willing to tolerate advertisements.
FAST operates on the principle of scale to generate revenue from advertisers. As more viewers consume content, the ad inventory expands, thereby attracting more advertisers to the platform. Since the advertising revenue is shared with the content providers, FAST presents a mutually beneficial solution for all parties involved.
What is AVOD?
Advertising Video on Demand (AVOD), in contrast, permits viewers to access premium video content at no cost, with the condition that they watch advertisements. This model represents a step up from FAST, featuring higher-quality content and a more sophisticated advertising approach that tailors ads to the viewer’s preferences and demographics. A prime example of an AVOD streaming platform is YouTube.
AVOD can prove to be a lucrative model for both the service provider and content creators, as advertising revenue can be shared between them. However, the success of AVOD hinges on the platform’s ability to attract and retain a substantial audience, a task made challenging by the competitive nature of the market.
What is SVOD?
Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) is a model in which viewers subscribe and pay a fee to access premium video content without encountering advertisements. This model has gained widespread popularity through services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. The appeal of SVOD lies in its provision of exclusive content, tailored recommendations, and an uninterrupted, ad-free viewing experience.
The revenue generation of SVOD hinges on nurturing a dedicated subscriber base. To achieve this, these services make substantial investments in creating original content to maintain subscriber engagement. The drawback of SVOD is that the subscription fees can be relatively high, potentially limiting the size of the potential audience.
Why FAST and AVOD need Multi-DRM and Forensic watermarking
While the primary revenue model for FAST and AVOD platforms is advertising, they still have an interest in protecting the value of their content and maintaining positive relationships with content owners. Therefore, they employ multi-DRM systems, either in-house or through third-party providers, to strike a balance between content protection and accessibility for their audience.
Implementing multi-DRM solutions allows these platforms to apply encryption and access controls to their content, limiting unauthorized viewing or copying. It helps prevent piracy and protects the rights of content owners. Additionally, multi-DRM solutions enable content providers to enforce usage policies, such as limiting the number of devices that can access the content simultaneously or setting expiration dates for downloaded content.
Forensic Watermarking, is other techniques can be employed to track and identify illicit distribution of content.
Sigma multi-DRM supports FAST, AVOD and SVOD models that allows your content business to maximize scalability and revenue potential through the OTT video route, all along ensuring a top-notch user experience. The security framework is flexible enough to enforce concurrent streaming experience across devices while providing premium user experience.
In conclusion, the choice of monetization model depends on the goals of the content provider. FAST and AVOD are great options for content providers who want to reach a large audience, while SVOD is ideal for those who want to generate revenue from a loyal subscriber base. Ultimately, the success of any model relies on the quality of the content and the ability of the platform to attract and retain viewers.
In an era when ad blockers threaten the revenue streams of online media companies, technology has risen to the challenge with innovative solutions. Server-side ad insertion (SSAI) is one such technology that offers a way to seamlessly integrate ads into content streams while bypassing ad blockers. This not only ensures that ad revenue is protected but also provides consumers with a high-quality, non-interruptive viewing experience. In this article, we will explore how SSAI is changing the advertising landscape, its benefits, recent developments, and what the future holds for this technology.
The Rise of Ad Blockers
Advertising is a reliable source of revenue for many online media companies, but the rise of ad blockers could have a significant negative impact. According to PageFair’s 2017 Ad Blocking Report, consumers used ad blockers on as many as 615 million devices globally, and more than half of these were mobile — that’s a 30 percent increase from PageFair’s 2015 report. Additionally, research firm Forrester estimates that in 2016 alone, $20.3 billion in ad spending was blocked. Ad blocking is only expected to increase, and as this trend continues, content providers need a reliable solution to deliver a high quality experience for consumers, while still protecting ad revenue. Enter server-side ad insertion (SSAI), a technology that stitches ads directly into a content stream prior to delivery rather than through the app or browser on a consumer’s device. This technique doesn’t simply bypass ad blockers but also reduces the reason for using them, by ensuring ads are delivered seamlessly. In order to maximize the benefits of SSAI, media companies should think about ads in a new way – as a part of their overall content strategy rather than as an interruption to the viewer experience. Read on for an overview of SSAI and its benefits; the latest developments around this innovative technology, including reduced latency; and what the future holds for SSAI.
How SSAI removes the need for ad blockers
In a conventional system without SSAI, premium video content is delivered via one path, while ads are often “decisioned” and inserted via an independent second path. The two are combined at the consumer end of the delivery chain, where users watch video content. Because the content and advertising are joined at the “client,” viewers often experience interruptions while the app or website orchestrates all the moving pieces. Viewers can experience drops in video quality, black screens, additional video buffering and slower load times. More viewers are bypassing this entire inconvenience with ad blockers, which block that second ad delivery path, while still permitting publisher content to arrive through the primary path. It’s important to remember, however, that consumers don’t necessarily dislike ads, but everyone dislikes a negative experience. In fact, in a recent Moz consumer survey, 42 percent of consumers said traditional advertising, like television or radio spots, had a positive effect on their purchase decisions. That’s a clear indicator that the same consumers who are using ad blockers to quiet disruptive ads aren’t bothered by similar messages through other channels. This is where SSAI comes in. Also called “ad stitching,” SSAI integrates ad content with video content upstream at the server, rather than at the client. It bypasses ad blockers by serving both pieces of content in one package, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. Additionally, because the ad insertion is seamless and part of the overall video stream, consumers are far less likely to have negative experiences as a result of the advertising. Our Verizon Digital Media Services 2016 Quality Matters survey found that 86 percent of viewers say it is very or extremely important to experience TV-like quality every time they watch, on every screen they use. We also found that the average viewing session across all devices falls by 77 percent when there is a significant drop in video quality. SSAI brings increased quality and speed, meeting viewers’ ever-rising expectations. Viewers have responded positively. According to a report from ad tech company Free- Wheel, viewers complete 98 percent of SSAI ads served on OTT platforms.
Greater potential for personalization
SSAI does more than just bypass ad blockers — it also helps advertisers offer more relevant, targeted ads. This is partly thanks to the ability for server-side ads to be dynamically “decisioned” and inserted uniquely and per consumer stream.
For example, an SSAI-based session management tool like our Sigma DAI/SSAI creates a unique session that represents a single user on a specific device. This provides advertisers and publishers with better data — for example, geographic location, device type or historical activity – allowing them to deliver personalization that ensures the right message reaches the right user at the right time. In this way, dynamic ad insertion (DAI) has the potential to help create more personal experiences through enhanced consumer knowledge and targeting. Consumers today expect advertising to be both tailored to their interests and compelling, and the session-based approach lets advertisers meet and exceed those expectations. With both DAI and SSAI, a true one-to-one and seamless video ad experience is possible. Improved content delivery increases engagement for the client, mitigates ad blocking, and ultimately, creates a more valuable relationship between advertisers, publishers and consumers.
Future proofing: What’s next for SSAI
As the technology that makes it possible continues to advance, SSAI is evolving too. For one, it’s becoming simpler to implement. Across the board, SSAI-savvy publishers are migrating to VAST 4.1, which supports advertisers’ growing demand for third party measurement solutions in addition to higher quality user experiences when ads are playing. This is accomplished through a new industry standard for separating the video ad creative from the measurement, verification, and interactivity components that advertisers rely on today to achieve their digital marketing goals. The new standard also enables these capabilities across a variety of platforms, including desktop, mobile, and OTT devices. Using a single video format across all devices, as we do at Thudo Multimedia, greatly simplifies the insertion, delivery, tracking, and reporting of both content and ads.
Another recent innovation in SSAI technology is decreased latency. As RAM storage becomes cheaper year after year, content delivery networks (CDNs) are able to deliver media – including server-side ads – to users more quickly and efficiently. This is especially noticeable when a content creator is relying on one end-to-end CDN to oversee media and ads from start to finish. That means there’s no buffering as the content changes hands, either. We’re also working on facilitating low latency video streaming, complete with full session-based server-side ad insertion. That means delivering content with low latency – 40 percent closer to real time and encoding up to 60 frames per second — all with the full functionality of SSAI.
SSAI isn’t simply the latest innovation; it’s quickly becoming mandatory. As more viewers come to expect the seamless delivery of content and ads, advertisers and publishers that don’t get on board are certain to get left behind.
In May 2017, the world was rocked by a cyberattack of unprecedented scale. WannaCry, a malicious ransomware, infected hundreds of thousands of computers in over 150 countries, causing chaos and financial losses. It was a wake-up call for governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide, highlighting the vulnerability of our interconnected digital world. Now, six years later, it’s time to reflect on the lessons learned and the progress made in defending against ransomware.
WannaCry’s Rampage
WannaCry, also known as WCry or WannaCrypt, targeted Windows operating systems, exploiting a vulnerability in the Windows Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. It spread rapidly, locking users out of their computers and demanding a ransom in Bitcoin to unlock their files. Its global impact was so severe that it crippled critical infrastructure, including healthcare systems in the UK, and cost businesses an estimated $4 billion.
Lessons Learned
WannaCry: Ransomware Defense, Six Years On
WannaCry exposed several critical weaknesses in our cybersecurity infrastructure:
Outdated Software: One of the primary reasons for WannaCry’s widespread success was the prevalence of outdated and unpatched Windows systems. Organizations and individuals who failed to keep their systems up to date were left vulnerable.
Lack of Cyber Hygiene: Weak cybersecurity practices, such as poor password management and the absence of data backups, made it easier for ransomware to infiltrate systems.
Global Interconnectedness: The interconnectedness of the digital world allowed the rapid spread of WannaCry across borders, emphasizing the need for international cooperation in combating cyber threats.
Defending Against Ransomware
Since WannaCry, significant efforts have been made to improve ransomware defense:
Patch Management: Organizations and individuals have become more proactive in keeping their software up to date. Frequent security updates and patches have become a norm, closing vulnerabilities that ransomware could exploit.
Backup and Recovery: Regular data backups and disaster recovery plans have gained importance. With the ability to restore data from backups, the leverage that ransomware attacks have is diminished.
Advanced Security Tools: The development and adoption of more sophisticated cybersecurity tools, including AI-based threat detection, has improved our ability to identify and mitigate ransomware attacks.
Cybersecurity Education: Increased awareness and education about ransomware and other cyber threats have empowered individuals and organizations to recognize and respond to potential attacks.
Challenges and Evolving Threats
Despite the progress made in ransomware defense, the threat landscape continues to evolve. Ransomware attacks have become more sophisticated, and threat actors have adapted their tactics to exploit emerging vulnerabilities.
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): Criminals can now purchase or lease ransomware kits, lowering the barrier to entry for cybercriminals. This has led to a proliferation of ransomware attacks.
Double Extortion: Ransomware gangs have adopted double extortion tactics, stealing sensitive data before encrypting it. They threaten to release the data if the ransom is not paid, making victims more likely to comply.
Targeted Attacks: While WannaCry was widespread, many modern ransomware attacks are highly targeted, focusing on specific organizations to maximize the potential payout.
Looking Ahead
The WannaCry incident was a turning point in the fight against ransomware. It forced governments, law enforcement agencies, and cybersecurity professionals to recognize the urgency of the threat and collaborate on solutions. However, the battle is far from over, and ransomware remains a formidable adversary.
To stay ahead of ransomware attacks, a comprehensive approach is essential:
Continued Education: Individuals and organizations must stay informed about evolving threats and best practices in cybersecurity.
International Cooperation: Cyber threats are global, and international cooperation is crucial to track and apprehend cybercriminals.
Innovation: Cybersecurity tools and techniques must evolve to counter increasingly sophisticated ransomware attacks.
Preparedness: The best defense is a good offense. Organizations should develop and test incident response plans to minimize damage in the event of an attack.
Six years after WannaCry, the world has come a long way in defending against ransomware. However, the threat remains, and vigilance is essential. The lessons learned from WannaCry serve as a stark reminder that in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, there is no room for complacency.
Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) has transformed the content consumption landscape, providing a wide array of shows and channels without the requirement of a subscription. FAST platforms have experienced a significant surge in popularity in recent years. In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of original, plagiarism-free content for the triumph of FAST and examine strategies to safeguard this invaluable content.
Why Content is Crucial for FAST Channel?
Viewer Engagement: Content serves as the lifeblood of any television platform, and the same holds true for FAST. Captivating and enjoyable content is the key to fostering viewer loyalty. By offering a diverse array of shows and movies, FAST channels can effectively cater to a wide-ranging audience, thereby boosting viewer engagement.
Advertising Revenue: FAST channels heavily depend on advertising revenue to sustain their free services. Exceptional, original content not only attracts more viewers but also creates additional advertising opportunities. Advertisers are more inclined to invest in platforms that boast a committed and engaged audience, a feat achievable through compelling content.
Competitive Edge: In the competitive streaming market, original content sets FAST channels apart. Exclusive shows and movies not only draw in new viewers but also retain existing ones. This competitive advantage can enable FAST channels to distinguish themselves and gain a larger market share.
Data Utilization: Content consumption yields invaluable data that can be harnessed for targeted advertising. Through the analysis of viewer preferences, FAST platforms can deliver more pertinent ads, elevating the user experience and enhancing the effectiveness of advertisements.
Why is Content Security Essential for FAST Channels?
Why and Ways to Safeguard Content for Enhanced Performance
Viewer Engagement: Content is the lifeblood of any television platform, and this rings true for FAST as well. Engaging and enjoyable content is the cornerstone of building viewer loyalty. FAST channels can enhance viewer engagement by offering a diverse range of shows and movies that cater to a broad audience.
Advertising Revenue: The sustainability of FAST channels heavily relies on advertising revenue. Unique and original content not only attracts more viewers but also creates additional opportunities for advertising. Advertisers are more inclined to invest in platforms with a dedicated and engaged audience, which is achievable through the delivery of compelling content.
Competitive Advantage: In the fiercely competitive streaming market, original content provides a distinctive edge to FAST channels. Exclusive shows and movies not only attract new viewers but also retain existing ones. This competitive advantage positions FAST channels to stand out and gain a larger market share.
Data Utilization: Content consumption yields invaluable data that can be leveraged for targeted advertising. By analyzing viewer preferences, FAST platforms can deliver more relevant ads, thereby enhancing the user experience and increasing the effectiveness of advertisements.
Ways to Protect FAST Channel (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV)
Digital Rights Management (DRM): Implementing DRM technologies can prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of content. These systems can encrypt content and control access, ensuring that only authorized viewers can enjoy it.
Content Watermarking
Watermarking content can deter piracy and unauthorized sharing. Visible or invisible watermarks can be added to videos to mark them as proprietary, discouraging viewers from attempting to redistribute the content.
Content Licensing
One of the most effective ways to protect content is by securing proper licensing agreements. FAST platforms should negotiate deals with content creators and copyright holders to ensure legal access to their content. This prevents unauthorized use and distribution.
Regular Audits
FAST platforms should conduct regular audits of their content libraries to identify and remove any infringing or plagiarized materials. This proactive approach can help maintain the integrity of the platform.
Explore the effectiveness of Securing OTT content with Multi-DRM, providing enhanced protection against unauthorized distribution and piracy
User Reporting
Prompt users to report any questionable or infringing content they encounter. Creating a transparent reporting system and addressing copyright violations is crucial for safeguarding content on the platform.
Legal Measures
When faced with significant copyright infringement, it may be imperative to take legal action. FAST platforms should maintain legal teams prepared to initiate action against individuals or entities who breach copyright laws.
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