Content key extraction is the entertainment industry’s biggest piracy concern leading to both revenue leakage and increased operational costs
AMSTERDAM – February 7, 2023 – Irdeto, the world leader in digital platform cybersecurity, today announces the launch of a new and improved ActiveCloak for Media (ACM), a software digital rights management (DRM) software development kit (SDK). This enhanced solution comprises multiple layers
of security, ensuring content encryption keys cannot be illegally extracted from devices.
Irdeto ACM combines Irdeto’s world-class patented Whitebox cryptography with source code obfuscation, anti-debugging and integrity verification to harden software DRM technology that is embedded into a video streaming application providing protection with integrated renewability and
security diversification.
Content key extraction is the biggest piracy issue facing video streaming services and pay-TV operators. Many devices in use today lack hardware DRM protection and rely solely on its operating system software DRM, making them highly vulnerable to content key extraction. With content encryption
keys in hand, pirates can deliver illegal services leading to missed revenue opportunities and increased CDN costs. These vulnerable devices can be identified and their access to content could be revoked to prevent the distribution of pirated content, however, such a “blanket approach” would impact legitimate paying subscribers. Millions of authorized subscribers could see their service cut off, generating customer frustration and flooding customer call centers with complaints, potentially resulting in customer churn and negatively impacting the service provider’s business.
Irdeto ACM helps to avoid the reputational and operational impact of a blanket approach by enabling video streaming services and pay-TV operators to take matters into their own hands by protecting the video applications themselves instead of relying on the device’s operating system DRM to secure the
content on vulnerable devices. With Irdeto ACM, the content decryption will bypass the device’s operating system software DRM, taking place inside the video application itself instead.
Unlike proprietary DRM-based solutions in the market, Irdeto ACM works with any DRM server vendor, thus eliminating costly custom integrations. Its renewable security provides increased agility to deploy fast and respond efficiently to piracy attacks. It protects against pervasive threats to software security, including reverse engineering, software tampering, copying/cloning, and automated attacks while safely
encrypting and decrypting data and communications.
“With the relaunch of Irdeto ACM, we are listening and responding to our customers’ needs,” said Andrew Bunten, Irdeto’s new Chief Operating Officer for Video Entertainment. “Irdeto ACM is a much needed solution to address one of the biggest sources of piracy today, and we add another tool to our
arsenal of anti-piracy services. Video service providers can pick and choose to meet a specific need or go for a broader solution set for “lens to screen” protection in their fight against piracy.”
About Irdeto
Irdeto is the world leader in digital platform cybersecurity, empowering businesses to innovate for a secure, connected future. Building on over 50 years of expertise in security, Irdeto’s services and solutions protect revenue, enable growth and fight cybercrime in video entertainment, video games,
and connected industries including transport, health and infrastructure. With teams around the world, Irdeto’s greatest asset is its people and diversity is celebrated through an inclusive workplace, where everyone has an equal opportunity to drive innovation and support Irdeto’s success. Irdeto is the
preferred security partner to empower a secure world where people can connect with confidence.
For more information, please visit www.irdeto.com.
