Streaming under attack: How to defend your OTT platform from piracy
Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms have revolutionized content consumption by offering on-demand access to a vast array of media. However, this convenience has been accompanied by significant security challenges, particularly in the realm of piracy. Unauthorized access and distribution of content not only undermine the revenue streams of content creators and service providers but also pose risks to consumers and the broader industry.
The growing menace of piracy in the OTT industry
Digital piracy has emerged as a huge threat to the OTT and broader entertainment industry, leading to substantial financial and reputational losses. According to a 2019 report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC), digital video piracy costs the USA economy between $29.2 billion and $71 billion annually. This piracy leads to significant job losses, estimated between 230,000 and 560,000 each year. The report also highlights that over 80% of global online piracy is attributed to illegal streaming services.
Meanwhile, unauthorized streaming services and illicit devices continue to proliferate. In Sweden, for example, more than 1,500 illegal streaming websites generate an estimated €49 million in annual revenue, often linked to organized crime networks, as reported by the Financial Times. This widespread unauthorized distribution impacts not only content creators but also telcos, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and consumers, undermining the industry’s integrity and threatening long-term sustainability.
Distribution without borders: A new security paradigm
According to Javier de Posada, Chief Information Security Officer at AgileTV, “The biggest challenge today is controlling distribution in an environment where content is available anytime, anywhere.” With users streaming across smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs, keeping track of where content flows, and ensuring it stays within licensed boundaries, is increasingly difficult.
This fragmentation is further amplified by the proliferation of piracy methods, from VPNs and mirror sites to encrypted messaging apps. As de Posada explains, “Piracy methods are becoming more advanced. Unauthorized sharing often spreads faster than rights-holders can react.” It’s no longer about a few rogue streams. It’s a sophisticated, evolving economy that adapts quickly.
Impact on telcos, ISPs and consumers
The ramifications of piracy extend beyond content creators:
Telcos and ISPs suffer from degraded quality of service due to bandwidth congestion caused by illegal streams. Revenue is also affected, especially for premium sports and entertainment packages. Worse, reputational risks and legal exposure emerge if networks are used — knowingly or not — to deliver pirated content.
Consumers, on the other hand, face real threats to personal security. Illegal services and jailbroken streaming devices are often laced with malware, putting sensitive data and even financial information at risk. These aren’t victimless crimes: end users are often the first to pay the price.
The imperative to protect OTT platforms
Safeguarding OTT platforms is crucial for several reasons and benefits the whole chain:
- Revenue Protection: Ensuring that only authorized users access content preserves the business model of content providers and distributors.
- Legal Compliance: Robust security measures help telcos and ISPs stay on the right side of regulations.
- Consumer Trust: A secure platform builds user confidence and fosters loyalty.
Implementing effective security measures
Fighting piracy requires more than just one tool — it’s a strategy. Javier de Posada emphasizes that a defense-in-depth approach, where multiple protective layers work together, is key. Some essential components include:
- Assessment of the current security posture: Regular vulnerability checks prevent surprise breaches.
- Digital Rights Management (DRM): Still a must-have, DRM controls how content is accessed and shared.
- Watermarking: Helps trace leaks back to their source.
- Token-based authentication and geo-blocking: Prevent unauthorized access based on user profile and location.
- Multi-level firewalls and DDoS protection: Defend against deliberate service disruptions.
- AI-powered monitoring: “AI is a workhorse when it comes to processing huge amounts of telemetry to detect suspicious access patterns,” de Posada says. It can spot and block credential stuffing, unauthorized re-streaming and more, in real time.
- User education: Informing audiences about the dangers of piracy and the value of legitimate services is often overlooked, but vital.
But de Posada also cautions that AI isn’t a panacea: “AI is both a powerful defense mechanism and a tool for attackers.” Just as platforms use it to block fraud, bad actors exploit it to automate illicit streaming operations or carry out sophisticated phishing attacks. “Piracy as a service is becoming increasingly popular,” he warns, underscoring the need for continuous vigilance, well-trained staff and strict access controls.
Case Study: Enhancing security with Agile CDN Director
A practical example of this layered approach in action comes from Telenor Sweden. Facing challenges like scalability bottlenecks and waves of unauthorized access attempts, Telenor integrated Agile CDN Director into its video infrastructure. The solution provided real-time cache and network switching, improved performance monitoring, and most importantly, blocked up to 60,000 illegitimate requests per day.
This partnership didn’t just optimize Telenor’s delivery. It dramatically strengthened their security posture.
Want to dive deeper into how Telenor Sweden improved performance and security with AgileTV?
👉 Download the full Case Study
to explore the results and learn how Agile CDN Director made a difference.
A smart, collaborative future
Ultimately, effective protection in the OTT world doesn’t come from a single technology or tactic. It’s about combining proven tools with smart strategy and cross-industry collaboration, staying one step ahead in an ever-evolving threat landscape.
As OTT platforms continue to dominate the entertainment landscape, addressing security challenges, particularly piracy, is imperative. By implementing robust security measures and fostering a culture of compliance and awareness, stakeholders can protect their platforms, ensure revenue integrity and provide a safe viewing experience for consumers.
The fight against piracy is ongoing, but with proactive strategies and collaboration, the industry can mitigate its impact and thrive in the digital age.
