Globecast – Strengthening broadcast security in the age of digital content
Chris Pulis, CTO, Globecast Americas
Who are the security leaders in your business? While some people have security in their titles or job descriptions, the reality is that everyone in your business should be considered leaders of your security effort. The technology landscape of the broadcast industry (Media & Entertainment at large) is not only evolving rapidly, but the cycle of change is getting shorter every year. In particular, the move to IP and the use of other modern technologies has pushed past the concept of revolution to that of a fundamental requirement to simply remain in business.
As many of us in the industry have learned by being deeply engaged in this transition, IP provides unparalleled efficiency and flexibility. It enables broadcasters to not only deliver content in ways previously unimaginable but build environments with elasticity that will enable content delivery to remain in step with the accelerating cycles of change.
A question of standards
As with anyone in a position to influence technical architectures, the great power that IP infrastructure delivers also brings great responsibility, particularly with regard to securing and managing content streams, the critical metadata supporting them and the infrastructure delivering all of it. This is where ISO 27001, an international standard for information security management, becomes not just beneficial but essential.
The move from traditional broadcast standards to IP-based technologies is a paradigm shift. While traditional standards have served the industry well, they no longer have the ability to adapt – a problem which has created a barrier to meeting rising demand. Today, broadcasters must overcome many more layers of complexity. Those layers and capabilities must be addressed from a security governance perspective.
IP technologies achieve this by offering a global reach, hyper-scaling and multi-platform delivery. This move to what we perceive as ‘a more open and interconnected ecosystem’ does have one inherent challenge; it also exposes broadcasters to new security vulnerabilities, from cyber-attacks to content piracy, making the robust security framework provided by ISO 27001 (27001:2022 to be specific) invaluable.
At its core, ISO 27001 offers a systematic and structured approach to managing sensitive company information so that it remains secure. It encompasses people, processes, and systems, providing a holistic security management standard perfectly aligned with the needs of modern broadcasting. The standard’s emphasis on risk assessment, security controls, and continuous improvement creates a security-conscious culture within organizations, ensuring that every aspect of the broadcasting ecosystem is protected. For those of us who are practitioners, we also recognize the “value-adds” from the framework that ingrain standardization of business processes and procedures that even extend to a business’s HR and Legal departments. 27001 is not a “one size fits all” standard by any means, but for broadcasters who already have “structured environments” imprinted on their DNA from an Ops and Engineering perspective, it adds a layer that can be characterized as a “value deposit” into any media business.
The benefits of certification
The synergies between ISO 27001 and modern broadcast standards are undeniable. ISO 27001 principles ensure that content (and the operation that contains and delivers it) remains secure and available, meets regulatory requirements and, most importantly, consumer expectations for privacy and protection. By demonstrating a commitment to security, broadcasters gain a competitive edge, and service providers become differentiators in the business, fostering trust among partners, customers and regulatory bodies.
Choosing ISO 27001-certified providers for broadcast solutions is a strategic decision and should have significant weight when businesses are looking for providers. This should even include making it a requirement in the RFP process. Certified providers bring a wealth of experience by aligning broadcast technologies with security standards, ensuring that IP-based content delivery is robust and secure. A certified provider not only has demonstrated their competence with auditable evidence but also by showing how the standard has been deployed to manage media workflows.
An ISO Certified service provider will offer expert guidance in implementing the necessary security controls connecting content owners to provider services, tailored to the unique needs of the broadcasting environment whether the customer is B2B or B2C. This support is invaluable in navigating the complexities of modern broadcasting, enabling content owners, in particular, to focus on content creation and delivery while leaving security concerns to the experts.
The path to integrating ISO 27001 with modern broadcast standards is not without challenges. Budget constraints, resistance to change, and the technical complexities of IP infrastructures can be significant. Yet, with a strategic approach that includes engaging stakeholders, providing comprehensive training, and adopting a phased implementation, these challenges can be overcome. The key is to view ISO 27001 not as a compliance exercise but as a framework for operational excellence and innovation.
By partnering with ISO 27001-certified providers, broadcasters gain not only expertise and support but also the peace of mind that comes with the highest security standards. Customers and their providers partner by extending the collective culture of security to each other and their end-user consumers. The call to action for the broadcast industry is clear: embrace ISO 27001 certification as part of your transformation to the IP/Cloud paradigm. Ensure your business, its reputation and your consumers are all governed with security as the basis of their value in you and in their consumer experience.
