Called Irdeto Armor, it is designed to protect the device, data and services built on Android TV which, while enabling choice and potentially providing pay-TV operators with a competitive edge, can suffer security issues, said the company.

“The competition from digital platforms is intensifying and relying on audience lock-in doesn’t work: [pay-TV] operators have to balance the latitude offered by Android TV to finesse the user experience while protecting their ecosystems and business models alike,” said Ed Barton, chief analyst of the Media, Entertainment and Consumer Practice at Ovum.

“Given how important security is in underpinning audience confidence and trust on premium TV and video platforms, who operators choose to work with is a technical, commercial and, ultimately, critical decision to get right.”

Irdeto Armor, which has been launched at Singapore’s technology showcase Broadcast Asia, comes pre-integrated with Irdeto’s cardless technology Cloaked CA. Irdeto claims the pre-integrated solution enables operators to shorten the launch time of a hybrid set-top box (STB) by between three and six months.

The solution combines conditional access and watermarking to protect premium content such as 4K UHD. Armor also provides operators with advanced security services to help them manage a variety of threats while ensuring an optimal viewing experience, the company said. Irdeto’s scalable OTT security solution manages multiple DRMs and business policies, combined with high availability and 24x7 support, it added.

Andrew Bunten (pictured), SVP of content protection, Irdeto said: “The need to differentiate on content is more critical now than ever before. Open platforms like Android TV allow operators to future-proof their STB and provide consumers with choice. At the same time, protecting open platforms is crucial to preventing loss of revenue, STB investment, content and data as well as any other damage to the operator’s brand.”