eCDN Security in Enterprise Video
With the rapid adoption and use of enterprise streaming video, eCDN security is more important than ever. It’s like an added layer of protection, safeguarding both your network and the contents of your live and on-demand videos.
For many years, experts and analysts have predicted massive growth of video use in the enterprise. The fact is, it’s at an all-time high. The market research indicates it will reach upwards of USD $2.96 billion in 2020, up 31% over 2019.1
The proliferation of video in business has skyrocketed—from large-scale all-hands meetings and customer service, to virtual events and more—to support the remote workforce and the need to further reduce operational expenses. This means more content is being shared, both inside and outside of the firewall, creating potential security risks for many companies.
Why Security Matters in Enterprise Video
You may think video is more secure than other forms of communication like email, which can easily be forwarded outside the company. But the increased development and distribution of video for internal consumption means the sensitive information shared in videos has an increased chance of being leaked. Think competitive analysis, new sales plays, earnings information or HR-related content. No company wants this type of information getting into the wrong hands.
The good news is nearly all video-oriented solutions today offer some level of protection against fraudulent activity or bad actors. Whether a video conferencing solution like Zoom or a webcasting product like Microsoft Stream, security is baked into the platform.
But, what about the connection from video source to viewer—i.e. your enterprise content delivery network (eCDN)? As with every enterprise IT tool, eCDN security should be a priority.
Regardless of whether the video streams are live or recorded, protecting video distribution from the source to the viewer is critical to the continued success of this valuable communications medium. Ramp experts have identified five essential components to help you evaluate eCDN security.
eCDN Security: Physical Elements
As previously mentioned, most enterprise streaming platforms come with their own level of security—a.k.a. the first layer. But most modern platforms are deployed in the cloud. Therefore, you need to think about a second layer of protection with eCDN security.
An eCDN can be either hardware or software installed on servers or virtual machines, so taking into account the physical elements is important to your overall security posture. Assess whether or not the physical placement of your eCDN complies with your company’s security policies. Some key elements of eCDN security you should consider include:
- Firewall settings
- Virus scanning
- Authentication systems
- Root access limits
- Operating system updates to protect against malware and breaches
Ideally, your eCDN should not contain cloud components or external modules that can compromise the security of your content. Choosing eCDN software that remains behind your firewall means you can maintain complete control and ultimate eCDN security.
eCDN Security: Transport Networks
When it comes to video, protecting enterprise networks means securing both the video contents and the network itself. You want to make sure your network doesn’t become overwhelmed by video streams, which can consume a significant amount of network capacity.
For the best eCDN security, consider a solution that is installed and managed on your corporate network and behind the firewall. On the receiving end, your solution should protect the network by keeping each client isolated so that there is no inadvertent data sharing or communications between them. In addition, if you’re using multiple streaming sources, you should be able to configure the software so it will only receive video streams from the specified source address, enabling you to restrict streams to specific regions, subnets or clients.
eCDN Security: Video Contents
Without a doubt, the most important component of enterprise video security is securing the actual contents—whether live or recorded video.
When looking at eCDN security, your solution should offer multiple levels of encryption, including both temporary files and cached content. Make sure the solution you select is compliant with the National Security Agency’s (NSA) cryptography specifications and relies on trusted certificates and public/private keys.
In addition, user authentication and access are important to prevent unauthorized access. Having the right security controls in place, will help you ensure only authorized users are able to access the content that is meant for them. This is typically managed via your enterprise streaming or content management solution(s).
eCDN Security: User Data
Your employee’s personal, confidential data is critical to the compliance of your organization and the trust in your workplace. As you evaluate eCDN solutions, it’s best if you choose one that does not collect or store any of the following:
- Personally identifiable information (PII)
- Protected health information (PHI)
- Payment card information (PCI)
In addition, it should be compliant with national and global regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA and COPPA.
eCDN Security: Application Code
Updates and upgrades to application code should also contain security policies and procedures designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of its information systems and related data.
As it pertains to software development, make sure your eCDN vendor uses secure development best practices. This includes conducting security requirements analysis, risk analysis, independent code reviews, development and system testing, and vulnerability analysis throughout.
In addition, software updates and patches should be solely at your discretion, deciding when to download and install updates or new versions based on your specific needs and policies.
Making Video a Mainstay of Your Corporate Culture
The ongoing adoption and proliferation of enterprise video brings with it a multitude of benefits and opportunities. Virtual employees are more engaged. Communications can be more authentic and entertaining. And if you take the time to strengthen your strategy, video can become an integral part of your company culture.
In an ideal scenario, you can focus on the creation and distribution of these videos, not how you’re securing them. You shouldn’t worry about security because you know your eCDN is solid and safe.
Once security is not an issue, opportunities abound. With video as an important part of your company culture, you have the opportunity to create a more engaged and connected workforce.
Ramp eCDN Security
Regardless of video platform, the breadth and depth of your video deployment, or the size of your organization, your eCDN security matters. It needs to be a core component of your overall enterprise streaming strategy. Read our white paper to learn how Ramp has built eCDN security into each of our solutions.
1 2020 Forecast Update – Enterprise Streaming Solutions and Services, Wainhouse Research
