Strategies for Safeguarding Digital Assets in the Digital Age

By Aram Ter-Martirosyan

In the modern digital age, creating digital assets such as movies, series, and music productions requires significant hard work and investment. Unfortunately, protecting these assets from hackers and pirates who aim to distribute them for free or sell them at a lower price is a complex, time-consuming, and expensive challenge. This issue is prevalent worldwide, and it poses a significant threat to artistic development and entrepreneurship.

This challenge is particularly acute in the Armenian community. Small production companies that pour their finances into creating digital products face immense difficulties in safeguarding their digital assets. The problem is exacerbated by the involvement of pirates not only within Armenia but also from Russia and other former Soviet republics. Additionally, many viewers are unaware of the crime they commit and the problems they cause by consuming pirated content, believing it to be a victimless crime since it is “just a movie or music video.”

So, what are some of the ways producers can protect their digital assets from hackers and pirates?

Protecting Digital Assets

To protect video assets from unauthorized viewing, several measures can be implemented:

1. Encryption: Encrypt the video file so that it can only be decrypted by authorized users with the correct key.
2. Digital Rights Management (DRM): Use DRM services to control how the video can be accessed and shared. Popular DRM providers include Widevine, PlayReady, and FairPlay.
3. Access Controls: Restrict access to the video using authentication mechanisms such as username/password, two-factor authentication (2FA), or Single Sign-On (SSO).
4. Watermarking: Embed watermarks in the video to deter unauthorized sharing and to identify the source of leaks.
5. Secure Hosting: Host the video on secure servers with limited access, such as using a content delivery network (CDN) with security features.
6. Token-Based Authentication: Implement token-based access, where a unique token is generated for each session and user, limiting access duration and preventing URL sharing.
7. Geo-Blocking: Restrict access to the video based on geographic location.
8. IP Whitelisting/Blacklisting: Control access based on IP addresses, allowing only trusted IPs to view the content.

Monitoring for Piracy

Monitoring all sites for pirated copies of your videos can be daunting, but several methods and tools can help streamline and automate the process:

1. Content Identification Services: Use services like Content ID (used by YouTube), Audible Magic, or Vobile, which scan and identify copyrighted content across various platforms.
2. Web Crawlers and Bots: Develop or use existing web crawlers and bots that automatically search the internet for your video content based on metadata, watermarks, or unique identifiers. Services like DMCAForce or MarkMonitor offer such tools.
3. Digital Fingerprinting: Implement digital fingerprinting techniques that create a unique identifier for your video content. Tools like NexGuard or ContentArmor can help in tracking and identifying your content across different platforms.
4. Reverse Image Search: Utilize reverse image search engines like Google Images to find instances of screenshots or video frames that may be taken from your content.
5. Automated DMCA Takedown Services: Use automated DMCA takedown services that can identify and request the removal of pirated content. Services like DMCA.com, Blasty, or MUSO offer these capabilities.
6. Monitoring Forums and Social Media: Regularly monitor forums, social media platforms, and other online communities where pirated content is often shared. Tools like Brandwatch or Mention can help track mentions of your content across various platforms.
7. Hire Specialized Firms: Employ firms that specialize in anti-piracy and content protection, such as Irdeto, NAGRA, or Viaccess-Orca. These firms use advanced technologies and have dedicated teams to monitor and take down pirated content.
8. Manual Searches: Conduct manual searches periodically using search engines and keywords related to your content. While time-consuming, it can sometimes yield results that automated tools might miss.
9. Collaboration with Hosting Platforms: Work closely with hosting platforms and content delivery networks (CDNs) to quickly identify and remove pirated copies. Many platforms have mechanisms in place to handle copyright infringement claims.
10. Community Reporting: Encourage your legitimate viewers and community to report instances of pirated content. Providing an easy-to-use reporting mechanism can help you catch pirated copies quickly.

 

The Future Role of AI in Protecting Digital Assets

As technology advances, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in protecting digital assets is becoming increasingly significant. AI offers promising solutions to combat digital piracy and enhance security measures:

1. Advanced Threat Detection: AI-powered systems can detect threats in real-time by analyzing patterns and behaviors that indicate potential piracy or unauthorized access. Machine learning algorithms can identify and adapt to new piracy tactics faster than traditional methods.
2. Automated Content Monitoring: AI can automate the process of monitoring vast amounts of content across the internet. This includes scanning websites, social media platforms, and online forums for unauthorized copies of digital assets, significantly reducing the time and effort required for manual searches.
3. Enhanced Digital Fingerprinting: AI can improve digital fingerprinting techniques by creating more complex and unique identifiers for video content. These advanced fingerprints can be more effectively tracked and matched across various platforms.
4. Predictive Analytics: AI can predict potential piracy hotspots and trends by analyzing historical data and current piracy activities. This allows producers to take proactive measures to protect their assets in high-risk areas.
5. Improved Watermarking: AI can develop more sophisticated watermarking techniques that are harder to remove or alter. These watermarks can be embedded in various layers of the video, making it difficult for pirates to distribute clean copies.
6. Automated Takedown Requests: AI can streamline the process of identifying pirated content and generating DMCA takedown requests. This can significantly speed up the removal of unauthorized content from the internet.

A Multi-Layered Defense Strategy for the Future

Combining traditional methods with AI-driven technologies can significantly enhance the ability to monitor, protect, and take action against pirated copies of digital content. The fight against digital piracy requires a multi-layered defense strategy, leveraging both advanced technology and human vigilance. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, staying vigilant and proactive in protecting digital assets is crucial for the sustainability of creative industries.

The Armenian community, like many others, must adopt these comprehensive measures to safeguard their creative works. By employing robust security practices and embracing the potential of AI, producers can protect their investments, encourage artistic innovation, and ensure that their creative endeavors are rightfully rewarded. The future of digital content protection lies in a harmonious blend of cutting-edge technology and a collective commitment to combating piracy. Only through such concerted efforts can we hope to preserve the integrity and value of digital assets in the ever-evolving digital age.

 

By Aram Ter-Martirosyan