Learn about the most common vulnerabilities in video over IP systems and how to prevent or mitigate them with authentication, encryption, bandwidth, compatibility, and monitoring techniques.

Strong encryption algorithms are of course essential for the protection of traffic and data. If hackers resort to brute force attacks on AES or similarly protected content then the CAS or DRM provider has won! However, in recent years mobile applications have become a soft target for attacks using freely available tools for disassembly and analysis. The result is hackers are often quickly able to remotely recover decryption keys and monetise the operator's premium content themselves. In the mobile space additional CI/CD security processes are essential to harden consumer applications (anti-debug, anti-tamper and security monitoring etc) to augment strong encryption by ring fencing the related security data and transactions.

What are the most common vulnerabilities in video over IP systems?

Video over IP systems allow you to transmit and receive video signals over internet protocol networks, such as LANs, WANs, or the internet. They can be used for various applications, such as video conferencing, surveillance, broadcasting, or entertainment. However, video over IP systems also face several security challenges and vulnerabilities that can compromise their performance, quality, and privacy. In this article, you will learn about the most common vulnerabilities in video over IP systems and how to prevent or mitigate them.

Key takeaways from this article

Robust encryption methods:

Use strong encryption like AES or SSL/TLS to safeguard video data. This ensures only authorized parties can access the content, protecting against interception and tampering.### *Strict authentication protocols:Implement strong passwords, biometrics, and regular credential updates. This limits system access to authorized users, preventing unauthorized viewing or control of video streams.

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Jean-Paul Heron

1 Authentication and Authorization

One of the most basic but essential security measures for video over IP systems is to ensure that only authorized users and devices can access the video streams and control the system settings. Authentication and authorization mechanisms verify the identity and permissions of the users and devices before granting them access to the system. Without proper authentication and authorization, video over IP systems can be exposed to unauthorized access, eavesdropping, hijacking, or tampering.

To prevent or mitigate this vulnerability, you should use strong passwords, encryption, certificates, tokens, or biometrics to authenticate and authorize the users and devices. You should also limit the number of users and devices that can access the system, and revoke or update the credentials regularly.

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Jean-Paul Heron
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In recent years the consumption of Video via mobile and open platforms such as Android TV has created a fast growing attack surface which is wide open to defeating the usual protection methods. Your app can be under threat from hacker applications available on the stores which are unregulated and unprotected against such threats. It is a simple process for attackers to steal credentials from legitimate apps and users and thus gain entry. The current typical state of application security often leaves Video content and in fact the CDN infrastructure itself exposed.

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2 Encryption and Decryption

Another important security measure for video over IP systems is to encrypt and decrypt the video data during transmission and storage. Encryption and decryption algorithms transform the video data into unreadable formats that can only be restored by authorized parties who have the correct keys. Without encryption and decryption, video over IP systems can be vulnerable to interception, modification, or theft of the video data.

To prevent or mitigate this vulnerability, you should use strong encryption and decryption algorithms, such as AES, RSA, or SSL/TLS, to protect the video data. You should also use secure key management and distribution methods, such as PKI, to ensure that only authorized parties can access the keys.

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Jean-Paul Heron
Report contribution
Strong encryption algorithms are of course essential for the protection of traffic and data. If hackers resort to brute force attacks on AES or similarly protected content then the CAS or DRM provider has won! However, in recent years mobile applications have become a soft target for attacks using freely available tools for disassembly and analysis. The result is hackers are often quickly able to remotely recover decryption keys and monetise the operator's premium content themselves. In the mobile space additional CI/CD security processes are essential to harden consumer applications (anti-debug, anti-tamper and security monitoring etc) to augment strong encryption by ring fencing the related security data and transactions.

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3 Bandwidth and Quality of Service

One of the most common challenges for video over IP systems is to ensure that the video data can be transmitted and received with sufficient bandwidth and quality of service. Bandwidth and quality of service refer to the amount and speed of data that can be transferred over the network without loss, delay, or distortion. Video data requires high bandwidth and quality of service to maintain its clarity, resolution, and synchronization. However, video over IP systems can face bandwidth and quality of service issues due to network congestion, interference, or configuration errors.

To prevent or mitigate this challenge, you should use compression and transcoding techniques to reduce the size and format of the video data. You should also use prioritization and optimization methods, such as QoS, to allocate and manage the network resources for the video data.

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4 Compatibility and Interoperability

One of the most common difficulties for video over IP systems is to ensure that the video data can be compatible and interoperable with different devices, platforms, and standards. Compatibility and interoperability refer to the ability of the video data to be displayed and processed by different devices, platforms, and standards without errors or incompatibilities. Video data can have different formats, codecs, protocols, or resolutions that can affect its compatibility and interoperability. Video over IP systems can encounter compatibility and interoperability issues due to lack of standardization, diversity, or integration of the devices, platforms, and standards.

To prevent or mitigate this difficulty, you should use conversion and adaptation techniques to adjust the format, codec, protocol, or resolution of the video data. You should also use testing and verification methods, such as SIP, to ensure that the video data can be compatible and interoperable with different devices, platforms, and standards.

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5 Monitoring and Troubleshooting

One of the most essential tasks for video over IP systems is to monitor and troubleshoot the system performance, quality, and security. Monitoring and troubleshooting techniques allow you to detect and resolve any issues or anomalies that can affect the video over IP system. Without monitoring and troubleshooting, video over IP systems can suffer from undetected or unresolved issues or anomalies that can degrade or disrupt the system performance, quality, and security.

To prevent or mitigate this risk, you should use tools and methods, such as SNMP, RTCP, or NMS, to monitor and troubleshoot the system parameters, such as bandwidth, latency, jitter, packet loss, or encryption. You should also use logs and reports to analyze and document the system behavior and performance.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Stephen Purificato

Manufacturers Rep and Security Consultant
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One of the biggest vulnerabilities in any video over IP systems is the camera itself. Video cameras have been a large part of the NDAA compliance by the federal government. As with all network devices that use microprocessors some foreign governments and or companies program the microprocessors that make it into the cameras installed in many of our businesses, schools, hospitals, etc., making the network accessible to hacking. Be sure to use NDAA compliance cameras, NVR’s and switches to protect against foreign attackers. The Federal government is making money available to replace millions of non compliant cameras for government buildings And critical infrastructure to relieve that threat.

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What are the most common vulnerabilities in video over IP systems?

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1 Authentication and Authorization

2 Encryption and Decryption

3 Bandwidth and Quality of Service

4 Compatibility and Interoperability

5 Monitoring and Troubleshooting

6 Here’s what else to consider

Communication Systems

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