When the first cardless solution was introduced to the market over a decade ago, the best approach was defined by the client security implementation, with vendors looking to provide a solution as secure as that previously offered by smartcard solutions. Ultimately, the continual threat of piracy that vendors faced when deploying pure software security on a one-way network led to a shift towards a more hybrid security solution or even to a full end-to-end hardware approach, such as NAGRA On-Chip Security (NOCS).
The Security Demands of OTT
Today, while security remains a fundamental part of cardless deployments, the wider content distribution footprint enabled by OTT is not without its challenges. This is because the distribution surface area requires a broader range of technologies, all working together to provide the necessary level of defense. For example, device tampering, content redistribution, or password sharing are examples that are hard to solve using a standard' security approach. That's why, as an industry, we need to embrace the world beyond conventional security boundaries.
A range of security options are available for operators looking to introduce a set-top box as part of their transition to OTT. Starting from a pure device point of view, this includes client security for content protection alongside other mechanisms such as secure boot, or a trusted environment to provide further application isolation when executing sensitive operations. Then, based on the use cases required by operators, additional security technologies can be implemented to secure streaming services. These can include forensic watermarking to deter and track unauthorized distribution, secure communications with the streaming server, token based security to protect against illegal access to CDN content, or anti-credential sharing measures.
Creating a Service Security Strategy
But what is the right approach? The answer lies in the definition of the service's security strategy. While client security has a clear role in secure playback, so does choosing a more modular and flexible set of security solutions that can be deployed and enabled at a time relevant to the operator's business. This provides a winning approach with which to tackle today's challenges of securing both the content and the service while also enabling the use cases required by today's consumers.
At NAGRA, we continue to offer unparalleled security solutions for both Live TV and OTT, but we're also particularly excited about the latest upgrades to our Active Streaming Protection framework that provides multiple industry-proven technologies - from secure playback and application protection to device protection and fraud prevention - all working together to address content and service piracy threats.
Driving complex digital transformation requires several key elements working together in perfect synchronization. Defining a tailored security strategy is as important as time to market or total cost of ownership and is critical for driving greater value while protecting valuable content investments. Consequently, one of the first questions we always ask our customers is how are you protecting your content and is it fit-for-purpose against your business ambition?
The right strategy can deliver significant benefits. NAGRA analysis of customer networks found that petabytes of data at significant cost were being used by pirate services. This meant operators were being hit twice - lost revenues from subscribers churning to pirate services (accelerated during a cost-of-living crisis) and additional costs from pirates directly accessing security-compromised content on the operator's CDN. NAGRA analysis also reveals that 20% of traffic across an average operator CDN is being used by pirate services. With macro-economic pressures creating further market turbulence, NAGRA is helping the industry address this much debated issue through the creation of holistic service security strategies.
Get In Touch To Learn More
NAGRA is proud to be working with several operators worldwide to make their digital transformation projects a reality. We understand the complexities of set-top box design, content, service, and cyber security, and we'd love to continue the conversation. For a no-obligation chat with one of our solution experts, just get in touch. Equally, if you're embarking on or are mid-transition from broadcast to streaming, check out our latest The New Economics of pay-TV eBook, where we explore how digital transformation has changed the media and entertainment industry, and how NAGRA can help you drive the transformation of your pay-TV business.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
13/11/2026
The UIM E1 Series wraps its third season this week with the Bombay Sapphire E1 Miami GP, Nov. 11-14, on Biscayne Bay at the Miami Seaplane Base on Watson Island...
13/11/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
13/11/2026
Singer-songwriter Benson Boone will headline entertainment for the Discover NHL Winter Classic between the Utah Mammoth and Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles St...
13/11/2026
Blackmagic Design has announced the Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone, a 7th order ambisonic microphone array that captures spatial audio for immersive video prod...
13/11/2026
SMPTE has announced that The Studio B&H and Riedel Communications will provide the video infrastructure and communications technology for the Solutions Hub at t...
13/11/2026
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) has announced the theme and program focus for the 2027 HPA Tech Retreat, which takes place Feb. 14-18, 2027, in La ...
13/11/2026
Football Manager 27 Touch is available on Apple Arcade starting today. The game ...
13/11/2026
MotoGP has announced a two-year media rights agreement with ESPN covering the Un...
13/11/2026
Apple Sports, the free iPhone app, has added the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to its lineup of supported sports, in time for Saturday's UFC 334. The...
13/11/2026
The NBA and Fanatics Studios, the joint venture between Fanatics and entertainme...
13/11/2026
ESPN held its annual EDGE Innovation Conference last night and offered up an ove...
13/11/2026
Regional sports network gives Ithaca College, SUNY Cortland students a platform to thrive
One of the biggest games in Division III college football will be pla...
13/11/2026
Studer-inspired 500-series PWM compressor unveiled
The HLabs range already includes a couple of Studer-inspired offerings in the form of the PRE169 and EQ16...
13/11/2026
Download Now!
To view the white paper, please enter the following details:
--
First Name* First Name
Company*
Country* Please select your countryA...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Blue Lucy, the workflow orchestration and integration platform for broadcasters, rights owners and localisation companies, today announced an integration with c...
13/11/2026
Krotos announces Black Friday offers on Studio Pro and Studio Max
Brie Clayton November 12, 2026
0 Comments
First-year annual plans start at US$195.99...
13/11/2026
Blackmagic Design Announces Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone
Brie Clayton November 12, 2026
0 Comments
New 7th order ambisonic microphone with 108 MEMS...
13/11/2026
Meet the Berklee Student Setting Planetary Motion to Music With his compositional platform SoniKosmos, Javier Roqueni aims to make the universe the ultimate i...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , er...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , er...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Amagi, the media industry cloud company, today announced a partnership with Golden Times Media Technology (stock code 920021.BJ), a Beijing-based media and tech...
13/11/2026
CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB), one of the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world, together with its Malaysian partner, Cedar ...
13/11/2026
SMPTE, the home for media professionals, technologists and engineers, today announced that The Studio B&H and Riedel Communications will provide the video infra...
13/11/2026
iWedia, a global leader in connected TV software solutions, will present its software-first approach to DRAM optimization at Android TV APAC Summit 2026 in Bang...
13/11/2026
Beginning today, November 13, Apple HomeView is available for purchase at Apple Store locations, on the Apple Store online, and in the Apple Store app in select...
13/11/2026
From pediatric research to smart hospitals, AI is helping care teams spend less time on routine tasks and more time with patients.
Health systems and startups...
12/11/2026
Industry leaders examine how Dynamic Media Facility, Media eXchange Layer, and c...
12/11/2026
The junior Tar Heel is embracing the technical and creative challenges of live production while emerging as a leader and mentor in the control room...
12/11/2026
Gracenote, Nielsen's content intelligence business, has released its fifth a...
12/11/2026
RTL Deutschland will bring the NHL to free-to-air TV in Germany starting Nov. 30...
12/11/2026
Clear-Com supported On Air 2026, a 24-hour student-led broadcast connecting 45 u...
12/11/2026
uniqFEED has opened a Remote Operations Center (ROC) in Madrid, Spain. It is already operational, delivering virtual advertising for LaLiga matches. The ROC is ...
12/11/2026
Disney, ESPN and the NBA will present Dunk the Halls, the third real-time animated NBA game using Sony's Beyond Sports data visualization technology, on Chr...
12/11/2026
Van Wagner has launched Van Wagner RELAY, a digital platform for official athlet...
12/11/2026
Deal brings together two of the industry's most established graphics brands and significantly expands Vizrt's footprint in U.S. sports and regional broa...
12/11/2026
Euro TV Production GmbH of Austria has upgraded its outside broadcast vehicle with Lawo technology. The mc 36 Classic console in service since 2019 was replaced...
12/11/2026
Tagboard has launched Spark Resize, an AI-assisted tool now in beta that takes an existing graphic and produces a new version for a different aspect ratio or sc...
When the first cardless solution was introduced to the market over a decade ago, the best approach was defined by the client security implementation, with vendors looking to provide a solution as secure as that previously offered by smartcard solutions. Ultimately, the continual threat of piracy that vendors faced when deploying pure software security on a one-way network led to a shift towards a more hybrid security solution or even to a full end-to-end hardware approach, such as NAGRA On-Chip Security (NOCS). 
