What is DTLS for video streaming and why is it critical for security?

Live streaming and video over IP have transformed content delivery, but they bring unique security challenges. Because they happen in real time, they can be vulnerable to unauthorized access, intellectual property theft, and other security breaches. Yet traditional security protocols can slow down the transfer of data, causing latency, dropped feeds, and a poor user experience. That’s why programmers developed datagram transport layer security (DTLS).

But what is DTLS? And how does it affect your business? To understand the meaning of DTLS, let’s first look at the bigger picture of how video data is transported. Then, we’ll dive into the details.

What is a datagram?

A datagram is a small chunk of data sent over a network. It’s like a tiny package that carries information from one place to another. Datagrams are one type of format that internet protocol (IP) networks can use to send and receive data. Unlike some other formats, a datagram contains enough information to be routed from its source to its destination without setting up a connection ahead of time.

In live streaming and broadcasting, datagrams are used to send video and audio data quickly. They don’t need to arrive in perfect order, so they’re great for real-time content, which can handle some data loss. If a few datagrams go missing, you might see a blip in the stream, but the show goes on. However, to ensure secure video streaming using datagrams, developers needed to create a new security protocol: DTLS encryption.

What is DTLS in networking?

DTLS is a protocol that secures datagrams sent over networks. DTLS was created to address security issues with real-time communications. It’s used for apps that need quick data transfer, like video streaming or online gaming. Unlike other security protocols, DTLS protocol works well with data that doesn’t need perfect delivery. This makes it ideal for live video transmission, where a few lost frames won’t ruin the whole stream.

DTLS vs. TLS: What’s the difference?

The main difference between DTLS vs. transport layer security (TLS) is the protocol used to protect data. TLS uses transmission control protocol (TCP), which relies on a consistent connection between the server and the client. It’s mainly used for computer-based communications that require a secure connection. For example, it’s great at protecting things like login and credit card credentials during online shopping and banking transactions.

So what is the DTLS protocol? DTLS leverages the user datagram protocol (UDP). It’s designed specifically for datagram networks, which don’t have an established connection (or handshake) between the sender and receiver. The lack of a DTLS handshake does mean that data can get lost. This trade-off is generally accepted, because DTLS protocol is so much faster and lower latency than TLS. That’s why it’s ideal for broadcasting, live streaming, esports, online gaming, and other video over IP applications.

A quick recap of TLS vs. DTLS: Both encrypt data to keep it safe from prying eyes. They also both verify that messages haven’t been tampered with during transit. However, TLS communicates with the network endpoint, ensuring that all data arrives and is in the correct order. DTLS allows some packets to go missing or arrive out of sequence, as long as they get there quickly.

Why is DTLS important for secure video streaming?

DTLS video streaming balances safety and speed, delivering a seamless, low-latency experience while keeping data secure. DTLS encryption secures video data, which helps protect user privacy and stop unauthorized access.

DTLS can also handle some data loss without stopping the stream. This makes it a good fit for live video, where smooth playback matters most. For real-time live streaming and broadcasting, quality, speed, and security are key. As more people stream video online, DTLS helps keep their data safe without sacrificing quality.

The future of video streaming security

Live streams open up a world of possibilities for the monetization of content. But they can also open up security risks. Weak encryption leaves streams open to eavesdropping. Hackers may tamper with live feeds. DDoS attacks can disrupt events for viewers. Stolen credentials enable account takeovers and content theft. Events like these may have led you to ask: What is DTLS?

DTLS encrypts data in transit, helping to protect your premium content from snooping, piracy, and tampering. Combining DTLS with fully managed services like the LTN Ecosystem is an even more powerful solution.

Remember, datagrams are just the package — the LTN Ecosystem is the superhighway that delivers the package to its destination. We transport more than 50,000 hours of content daily on our secure and reliable IP video transport network. Learn why we’re the most trusted multicast partner in the industry.