SMPTE ST 2110 and Security: What Engineers Need to Know

Security is a growing concern in IP-based production. ST 2110 introduces new risks compared to isolated SDI systems. By 2025, security practices are embedded in serious deployments.

Risks in IP Media

• Unauthorized access: Open multicast can be abused without controls.
• PTP manipulation: Timing attacks can disrupt entire facilities.
• Data leakage: Sensitive feeds may be exposed without encryption.
• Control APIs: NMOS interfaces are potential attack surfaces.

Best Practices

• Segmentation: Separate media, control, and management networks.
• Access control: Implement strong authentication for devices and users.
• Encryption: Use secure tunnels for remote links and management.
• Monitoring: Watch for unusual traffic or timing anomalies.

Industry Guidance

Standards bodies are addressing security explicitly, with recommendations for network hardening and key management. Vendors now ship equipment with more secure defaults.

Security can’t be an afterthought. For engineers, building resilient media networks means treating security as part of reliability, not a separate discipline.