|
Conditional
Access - (CA)
(Last updated
in 2012)
Conditional
Access
- (CA) - (In terms of Interactive Television.) (May
also be known as: Authentication, Access Control System) - CA is an
encryption/decryption management method (security system) where the
broadcaster controls the subscriber's access to digital and Interactive
TV services. This can ensure that the person is who he/she
says
he/she is (authenticity). It also offers security for purchases and
other transactions. The subscribers have a set-top box or the
equivalent that allows him or her "Conditional Access" to the services
available through that service. "Smart cards" and/or a
private
PIN number are most often used to access the services, and/or premium
services, by the end-user (subscriber.) The system is
primarily
made up of 3 parts: (1) signal scrambling, (2) encryption of electronic
"keys" which the viewer will need, and the (3) Subscriber Management
System - ensuring those who have bought the scrambled programming, are
able to receive and watch it.
Subscriber
Management System (SMS) is a combination of hardware and
software as well as human activities that help organize and operate the
company business. The SMS contains all customer relevant information
and is responsible for keeping track of placed orders, credit limits,
invoicing and payments, as well as the generation of reports and
statistics. The SMS is part of the Customer
Management System (CMS) and includes:
Entitlement
Control Messages (ECMs)
Entitlement
Management Messages (EMMs)
Subscriber
Authorization System (SAS)
If the customer’s set-top box or built-in, has a “Common Interface”
(CI), and it’s often best if it does, the set-top
box
or built-in
can
be used on more than one encryption system. Consumers can use
detachable hardware, which allows them to receive encrypted services
they pay subscription fee(s) for. The interface between the set-top box
and the CI hardware is standardized so that the same set-top box can be
used to handle a variety of encryption systems.
Some Conditional Access systems are/were:
* NDS' Open VideoGuard
* NagraVision's Nagra
* Canal+ Technologies' MediaGuard
* Telenor Conax - Conax-CAS3
* SkyStream's DVB-Simulcrypt
* Microsoft's "Access"
Other CA systems are/were associated with: Viaccess, Irdeto, Eurocrypt
&
Seca.
Watermarking
Other
Definitions of
Conditional Access:
|
|
|