CENC
Common Encryption
Common Encryption (CENC) is a standard approach to encrypting digital content, particularly video and audio streams, aimed at simplifying the delivery of protected content across various platforms and devices. It was developed to address the complexities and inefficiencies caused by the existence of multiple, often incompatible, digital rights management (DRM) systems used in the streaming industry. CENC provides a unified encryption method that can be utilised by different DRM systems, thereby streamlining the content protection process and making it more cost-effective and efficient for content providers.
At its core, CENC involves encrypting the digital content using a standard encryption algorithm, typically AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). The encrypted content can then be packaged and stored in a way that's compatible with multiple DRM systems. When a user wants to access the content, the appropriate DRM system provides the decryption keys based on the user's rights and entitlements. The beauty of CENC is that the content itself is encrypted only once, and the same encrypted content can be decrypted by any supported DRM solution. This is in contrast to previous practices where content had to be encrypted separately for each DRM system, leading to redundant processes and increased storage requirements.
The adoption of Common Encryption has significant implications for content distributors, streaming services, and consumers. For distributors, it reduces the complexity and costs associated with managing multiple encryption formats and DRM systems. For streaming services, it enables broader reach, as they can easily deliver protected content across various platforms and devices. And for consumers, it translates to more seamless access to protected content, as they are less likely to encounter compatibility issues. CENC represents a collaborative effort within the industry to create a more unified and efficient approach to content protection in the digital age.
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