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 ...
09/10/2026
nxtedition will exhibit for the first time at Asias Broadcasting & Infotainment Show (A.B.I.S) in Mumbai, bringing its integrated production platform and latest...
09/10/2026
Today's AI Isn't the Answer
Andy Marken October 8, 2026
0 Comments
Let's say you're telling the truth, and this is all a dream. - Do...
09/10/2026
Ikegami to Introduce New UHK-X700VN Camera at NAB New York, Offering Advanced Cr...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
Witness world firsts, new arrivals and the work that goes on behind the scenes a...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
08/10/2026
Modern venues have come a long way since the tinny, echoing audio of the mid 20t...
08/10/2026
ESPN's first Super Bowl production will stream in English and Spanish on Disney+, while the ESPN App carries the full slate of game, ManningCast, studio, an...
08/10/2026
From high-school videoboards to War Eagle Productions, the Opelika native is learning how to lead shows and capture big moments
The future of live sports produ...
08/10/2026
The Television Academy and Prime Video have announced a six-year agreement making Prime Video the exclusive global home of the Emmy Awards beginning with the 20...
08/10/2026
Techex will exhibit at NAB Show New York 2026 (Booth 623, Javits Center, October...
08/10/2026
X Games has announced the appointment of Steve Rogers as Chief Operating Officer. Rogers previously served as COO of World Supercross and spent nearly a decade ...
08/10/2026
Fonn Group has appointed Trevor Spielmann as Sales Director for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Spielmann joins from EVS, where he held sales and business de...
08/10/2026
The flagship program will originate from major PG events with a four-camera production, live distribution across PGTV, social platforms
Perfect Game is bringin...
08/10/2026
Innovation rarely happens in a vacuum. More often, it happens at the point of collision: when worlds that have run on separate tracks begin to converge. That is...
08/10/2026
For decades, the production and broadcast services business has run on a familia...
08/10/2026
Uplynk, Zixi, BroadView Software, and Grass Valley have published The IP Converg...
08/10/2026
The NFL has announced the return of the Big Data Bowl, the league's analytics competition, now in its ninth year and again powered by AWS. Registration is o...
08/10/2026
Eutelsat has renewed its partnership with T l diffusion d'Alg rie (TDA), Algeria's national broadcasting network operator, for continued distribution of...
08/10/2026
Disney will livestream Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, alongside the game's broadcast on ESPN and ABC. All Disney subscribers in the United States wi...
08/10/2026
RHStv and Red House Streaming have announced an expansion of their partnership w...
08/10/2026
Gray Media has announced a distribution agreement with TEGNA and DAZN to simulca...
08/10/2026
SVG readers can save 10% on registration and receive a complimentary Solutions H...
08/10/2026
PROTON Camera Innovations GmbH has been named a recipient of a 2026 Technology a...
08/10/2026
Industry leaders discuss real-world cloud workflows for live game production, pl...
08/10/2026
The next-gen audio technology joins Dolby Vision as part of Apple TV's immersive F1 experience...
08/10/2026
David France, Jesse Short Bull, Mato Wayuhi, N. Bird Runningwater, Jodi Archambau, Jhane Myers, Paul McGuire, Amber Morning Star Byars, Holly Macarro, Nick Tils...
08/10/2026
Dynamic panning plug-ins get an upgrade
Sound Particles have just announced major updates for two of their popular dynamic panning plug-ins. Energy Panner 2...
08/10/2026
New expandable instrument boasts full DMNO engine
UDO Audio have just announced the upcoming release of a new, expandable synth that packs the power of the ...
08/10/2026
Two new subwoofers added to monitoring line-up
ADAM Audio's monitoring range has just been expanded with two new DSP-equipped subwoofers, the Sub8 PRO a...
08/10/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
08/10/2026
Calrec gives broadcasters freedom of choice at NAB Show New York We're looking forward to meeting up with you all at NAB New York on 21st-22nd October.
Cal...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Globecast, a leading provider of broadcast, media and entertainment managed services, will showcase its next generation of media orchestration services at NAB S...
08/10/2026
Clear-Com played a critical role in the production communications infrastructure for Rock in Rio 2026, one of the world's largest and most recognized music...
08/10/2026
Sohonet Launches ClearView Rush: A Leap Forward in Studio Review, Built for Crea...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Ikegami announces a major expansion to its range of broadcast-quality live production cameras. Scheduled for introduction on Ikegami booth 708 at NAB New York, ...
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). 
